"Haven't you a wife, or some good friend?"
He cast upon us one of the most lamentable glances that I ever saw as he answered,—
"If I had a wife I must abandon my father; I could not feed him and a wife and children too."
"Well, my poor lad, why don't you try to earn more at the salt marshes, or by carrying the salt to the harbor?"
"Ah, monsieur, I couldn't do that work three months. I am not strong enough, and if I died my father would have to beg. I am forced to take a business which only needs a little knack and a great deal of patience."
"But how can two persons live on twelve sous a day?"
"Oh, monsieur, we eat cakes made of buckwheat, and barnacles which I get off the rocks."
"How old are you?"
"Thirty-seven."
"Did you ever leave Croisic?"