10 22 par les lourdes après-midi d'été: 'during the sultry summer afternoons.' Note the use of par in statements relating to the weather; cf. 32 1, 63 17.--à lire: 'engaged in reading'; cf. à mener 68 32, and 73 30.
10 24 que de fois: 'how many times.'
10 27 foulard de tête: 'kerchief round his head.'
10 30 Qu'ils y viennent maintenant! 'now just let'em come!' Y is redundant; cf. note to 9 7.
11 6 Touareg: cf. note to 40 17.--des Abruzzes: 'of the Abruzzi,' a mountainous district of central Italy, noted for its brigands.
11 9 avait beau les appeler: 'called them in vain'; cf. 28 16, 46 8. Beau is ironical in this expression; cf. Engl. "a fine fellow," "a pretty mess."
11 10 Pécaïré (Latin peccator = pécheur 'sinner'): sometimes Gallicized by Daudet under the form péchère. A very common Provençal exclamation, usually denoting pity or resignation. Transl. 'alas,' 'dear me.'
11 12 les attendait toujours: 'continued to wait for them'; note this force of toujours; cf. 26 11, 71 20.