He went to pull in the boat.
CHAPTER XXXVI
When Hermione got out of the boat in the little harbor of the village on the mainland Gaspare said again:
“I could easily row you to Mergellina, Signore. I am not a bit tired.”
She looked at him as he stood with his hand on the prow of the boat. His shirt-sleeves were rolled up, showing his strong arms. There was something brave, something “safe”—so she called it to herself—in his whole appearance which had always appealed to her nature. How she longed at that moment to be quite at ease with him! Why would he not trust her completely? Perhaps in her glance just then she showed her thought, her desire. Gaspare’s eyes fell before her.
“I think I’ll take the tram,” she said, “unless—”
She was still looking at him, longing for him to speak. But he said nothing. At that moment a fisherman ran down the steps from the village, and came over the sand to greet them.
“Good-bye, Gaspare,” she said. “Don’t wait, of course. Giovanni can row me back.”
The fisherman smiled, but Gaspare said: