“Naval officers, Englishmen, walk like that.”
“No. Haven’t I seen naval officers in the city? They walk firmly, but openly; even a girl could trust them.”
“Oh, look out!”
Frightened and cautious laughter.
“No, don’t laugh. He walks without looking at the ground; he puts his feet down as if the ground itself must take them cautiously and place them.”
“But if there’s a stone on the road? We have many stones here.”
“He does not bend down, nor does he hide his head when a strong wind blows.”
“Of course not. Of course not. He does not hide his head.”
“Is it true that he is handsome? Who has seen him at close range?”
“I,” says Mariet.