_A MAID OF BRITTANY_
It was sunrise in Brittany. From the windows of the lazy train I
watched the morning come across the rugged hills. The thatched stone
houses set in formal fields took shape out of the gray dawn. The
unsightly, close-trimmed tree-trunks, which were like the gnarled and
twisted fingers of a heavy hand, became clearly defined against the
sky. Cattle appeared in the meadows, and presently people were moving
in the roads. Villages were more frequent, and before the world was
fully awake we stopped at a city.
Until now I had occupied a compartment alone on my journey from Saint
Nazaire to Brest; but my privacy was invaded by a most delightful
family, a father and mother and their daughter, the daughter an
exquisite miss of five. The parents took the seat opposite mine, and
the little girl with her two dolls established herself by my side, but
without so much as a glance in my direction.
I continued to be occupied with the smiling out-of-doors until the
light allowed of writing. I was increasingly conscious of the child.
Her rich brown hair and richer eyes, her delicately tinted skin, the
deftness of her tiny fingers, the laughter in her voice, made her, for
a father far removed from the children of his own fireside, a picture
to revel in.
Presently our train stopped again. While we waited for the unloading of
baggage and the changing of engines I amused myself by throwing walnuts
at the children, who scampered about in wooden shoes, trying to catch a
glimpse of my hat and uniform, with which they were already familiar as
the distinguishing dress of an American in France. They were ragged and
dirty, but very polite; and their thanks for the nuts were profuse.
The commotion attracted the attention of my little
travelling-companion; and, unconscious of her nearness to me, she
came to the window and stood with her hand on my knee while she
watched the wild scramble without. When the train started again, she
discovered herself, and was in confusion; but my smile and the friendly
recognition of her parents re-assured her; and, though I could not
speak her beautiful language, and she knew not a single word of mine,
we were soon fast friends. She received the sweets my bag revealed with
a courtesy and "Merci, monsieur," and then told me all about her dolls.
My attention was perfect, and the fact that I could not understand her
vivacious prattle did not in the least discourage her.
How glorious a morning we spent together! When I brought forth the
picture of my lads and lassies, she was happy beyond words, or rather
with many words; for she talked with lips and hands, eyes and body,
both to her parents and to me. And then she became very quiet, and sat
for several minutes looking at the pictures in her hands and at me.
Perhaps she sensed her new-found friend's home-hunger; the sympathy of
a child is perfect consolation.
When the morning lengthened toward noon, and the little head nodded, I
made a pillow for it in my lap; and while she slept I lost my fingers
in her curls.
It was with a pang that I saw the father prepare the luggage for
removal from the compartment; and, when my little friend's bonnet
was brought down from the rack, the day became suddenly dark and
uninviting. I assisted my travelling-companions to alight, and with
the perfect courtesy of their country they thanked me for my small
kindnesses. I was out first, and the bags were handed to me; then the
gentleman stepped down and gave his hand to his wife. Last in the
doorway was the child. With her pretty bonnet, her soft fur coat and
her dolls, with her silken hair and dimpled cheeks, she was a darling
fairy. I held up my arms, and into them she came. With an extra hug I
set her upon the platform.
For an instant she stood and looked up at me; and then, to my
disappointment, without a word of good-by or a sign, she ran to her
mother, and said something in a tone of inquiry. The mother smiled and
nodded. The little one came tripping back. Up reached her arms, and out
puckered her lips. Down went my arms in an eager swing. Close about my
neck she threw her chubby arms, and on either cheek she kissed me.
Only a watchful guard saved me from missing that train! I stood as a
man bewildered while the little group disappeared, and for the rest of
the day I was not lonely. The touch of a baby's hands and the pressure
of a baby's lips had lifted me above high mountains and carried me
beyond far seas.