16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
singing a chant whose meaning was now lost
but which as late as Leland's time was clearly
in honour of the goddess Frig; and even today
the words retained such power that as Stephen
well knew no Shelmerstonian born and bred
would willingly omit them.
The little girls were usually as good and silent
as could be on these occasions, but now the
coming of the feast and the arrival of the
prize-money overcame Sarah's discretion and
she said, 'Jemmy Ducks says Monsieur Turd's
nose is sadly out of joint. He kicked Jean Potin's
arse. Jean Potin is his servant.'
'Hush, my dear,' said Stephen. 'I am counting
the suckers. And you are not to say Monsieur
Turd: nor arse.'
Emily prized Stephen's attention and approval
more than her immortal soul: though an affectionate
child, she would betray her best friend