“I gave him a ten-cent tip. He thanked me:
“'God bless you, my young sir!'
“He spoke like a poor man receiving alms. I couldn't help thinking that he must have begged over there! My sisters looked at me, surprised at my generosity. When I returned the two francs to my father, my mother asked me in surprise:
“'Was there three francs' worth? That is impossible.'
“I answered in a firm voice
“'I gave ten cents as a tip.'
“My mother started, and, staring at me, she exclaimed:
“'You must be crazy! Give ten cents to that man, to that vagabond—'
“She stopped at a look from my father, who was pointing at his son-in-law. Then everybody was silent.
“Before us, on the distant horizon, a purple shadow seemed to rise out of the sea. It was Jersey.