Venturing, at last, to disturb the delicate sequence of her thoughts: "Madame," he said, "have you heard any rumours concerning enemy airships—or, undersea boats?"
The tranquil gaze returned, rested on him: "No, but something has been happening in the Aulnes Étang."
"What?"
"I don't know. But every day the wild ducks rise from it in fright—clouds of them—and the curlew and lapwings fill the sky with their clamour."
"A poacher?"
"I know of none remaining here in Finistère."
"Have you seen anything in the sky? An eagle?"
"Only the wild fowl whirling above the étang."
"You have heard nothing—from the clouds?"
"Only the vanneaux complaining and the wild curlew answering."