We were by the docks. Mattia was so overjoyed that he commenced to dance amongst the fishermen. Stopping suddenly he took his violin and frantically played a triumphal march. While he played I questioned the man who had seen the barge. Without a doubt it was the Swan. It had passed through Charenton about two months ago.
Two months! What a lead it had! But what did that matter! We had our legs and they had the legs of two good horses and we should join them some day. The question of time did not count. The great thing, the wonderful thing was that the Swan was found!
“Who was right?” cried Mattia.
If I had dared I would have admitted to Mattia that I had very great hopes, but I felt that I could not analyze my thoughts, not even to myself. We had no need to stop now and question the people. The Swan was ahead of us. We had only to follow the Seine. We went on our way, getting nearer to where Lise lived. I wondered if she had seen the barge as it passed through the locks by her home. At night we never complained of weariness and we were always ready the next morning to set out at an early hour.
“Wake me up,” said Mattia, who was fond of sleeping. And when I woke him he was never long in jumping to his feet.
To economize we ate hard-boiled eggs, which we bought from the grocers, and bread. Yet Mattia was very fond of good things.
“I hope Mrs. Milligan has that cook still who made those tarts,” he said; “apricot tarts must be fine!”
“Haven’t you ever tasted them?”
“I’ve tasted apple puffs, but I’ve never tasted apricot tarts. I’ve seen them. What are those little white things they stick all over the fruit?”
“Almonds.”