She in her turn saw, three or four hundred yards in front of them, the few big rocks on the beach which served as a jetty. Three women, a little girl and some old seafaring men were waiting for the boat, but no boy, no red cap.
"That's strange," said Honorine, in a low voice. "It's the first time that he's failed to answer my call."
"Perhaps he's ill?" Véronique suggested.
"What then?"
"I don't know."
"But aren't you afraid?" asked Véronique, who was already becoming frightened.
"For him, no . . . but for your father. Maguennoc said that I oughtn't to leave him. It's he who is threatened."
"But François is there to defend him; and so is M. Maroux, his tutor. Come, answer me: what do you imagine?"
After a moment's pause, Honorine shrugged her shoulders.