It is quite bad enough to have the gardener prowling about in my garden. He is all over the place. The garden seems to have shrunk since he came. And yet, in spite of myself, I often stand watching the man when he is digging. He has such muscular strength and uses it so skilfully. He puts on very humble airs in my presence, but his insolent eyes take in everything.
Torp wears herself out evolving tasty dishes for him, and in return he plays cards with her.
Jeanne avoids him. She literally picks up her skirts when she has to go past him. I like to see her do this.
⁂ ⁂ ⁂
This morning Jeanne and I laughed like two children. I was standing on the shore looking at the sea, and said absent-mindedly:
"It must be splendid bathing here."
Jeanne replied:
"Yes, if we had a bathing-hut."
And I, still absent-minded, murmured:
"Yes, if we had a bathing-hut."