Lightshadbeenburninginthebungalowalmostallthroughthenight;andwiththefirstsignofdaybeganthebustleofdeparture。Houseboyswalkedprocessionallycarryingsuit-casesanddressing-bagsdowntotheschooner\'sboat,whichcametothelandingplaceatthebottomofthegarden。Justastherisingsunthrewitsgoldennimbusaroundthepurpleshapeoftheheadland,thePlanterofMalatawasperceivedpacingbare-headedthecurveofthelittlebay。Heexchangedafewwordswiththesailing-masteroftheschooner,thenremainedbytheboat,standingveryupright,hiseyesontheground,waiting。
Hehadnotlongtowait。Intothecool,overshadowedgardentheprofessordescendedfirst,andcamejauntilydownthepathinalivelycrackingofsmallshells。Withhisclosedparasolhookedonhisforearm,andabookinhishand,heresembledabanaltouristmorethanwaspermissibletoamanofhisuniquedistinction。Hewavedthedisengagedarmfromadistance,butatclosequarters,arrestedbeforeRenouard\'simmobility,hemadenooffertoshakehands。Heseemedtoappraisetheaspectofthemanwithasharpglance,andmadeuphismind。
\"WearegoingbackbySuez,\"hebeganalmostboisterously。\"Ihavebeenlookingupthesailinglists。IfthezephirsofyourPacificareonlymoderatelypropitiousIthinkwearesuretocatchthemailboatdueinMarseillesonthe18thofMarch。Thiswillsuitmeexcellently……\"Heloweredhistone。\"Mydearyoungfriend,I\'mdeeplygratefultoyou。\"
Renouard\'ssetlipsmoved。
\"Whyareyougratefultome?\"