"You will write to me at any rate?"
And he replied:
"I was going to explain to you," and he hesitated still, with an amiable, shamefaced smile. "Well, here goes! I was going to explain to you that I do not know what to put at the beginning."
And it was true that the appellations "Captain, Dear Captain," and others of the same kind, would scarcely any longer do. What should it be, then? I replied:
"Why, but that's very simple," and I cast about for a long time for this simple thing and could not find it. "That's very simple. Put . . . put: 'My dear brother'; that will be true in the first place, and, for the purpose of a letter, very suitable."
[CHAPTER XXXVI]
It was about six weeks after the Médée had been laid up at Brest and I had separated from Yves, when one day, at Athens, I think, I received this surprising letter:
"BREST, 15th September, 1877.
"MY DEAR BROTHER,—I write you these few words, in haste to let you know that I got married yesterday. And, you may be sure, I would have asked your advice in advance, but, you must understand, I had no time to lose having been named to join the Cornélie, and having only eight days before me to spend with my wife.
"I think that you will find, you also, my dear brother, that this is better than being always moving about, as you know, from one ship to another. My wife's name is Marie Keremenen; I may tell you I am very proud of her and think we shall get on very well together if only I can settle down.
"I will write you a longer letter before I leave, my dear brother, and I can assure you I am very sad at the idea of embarking without you.
"I end by embracing you with all my heart.
"Your loving brother,
"YVES KERMADEC.
"P.S.—I have just learnt that my destination is altered; I am embarking on the Ariane which does not leave until the middle of November. That gives me nearly two months to spend with my wife. We shall have good time in which to get to know one another, and you may be sure I am very pleased."