“And were you successful?”
“No. In the places where I cast there did not appear the sign of a fish.”
“And Catherine?”
“Nearly every time her bait was taken, and I helped her unhook at least a dozen fish.”
“I tell you, Bruno, she has a sorcerer’s power——”
“No, no. She had in her pocket a little bottle of pistachio, belonging to her father, and she put some of the essence on the frog bait, without my knowing it. You know pistachio attracts crabs.”
“And were you not jealous of her success?”
“No. I was only ashamed of my failure.”
“And what did she say?”
“She only laughed. We went on down the stream, and had a merry time; but, Sidonie, promise that you will never repeat what I tell you.”