Старик и море

           Inthenightsharkshitthecarcassassomeonemightpickupcrumbsfromthetable. Theoldmanpaidnoattentiontothem anddidnotpayanyattentiontoanythingexceptsteering. Heonlynoticedhowlightlyandhowwelltheskiffsailednowtherewasnogreatweightbesideher. 

           She’sgood,hethought. Sheissoundandnotharmedinanywayexceptforthetiller. Thatiseasilyreplaced. 

           Hecouldfeelhewasinsidethecurrentnowandhecouldseethelightsofthebeachcoloniesalongtheshore. Heknewwherehewasnowanditwasnothingtogethome. 

           Thewindisourfriend,anyway,hethought. Thenheadded,sometimes. Andthegreatseawithourfriendsandourenemies. Andbed,hethought.Bedismyfriend. Justbed,hethought. Bedwillbeagreatthing.Itiseasywhenyouarebeaten,hethought. Ineverknewhoweasyitwas.Andwhatbeatyou,hethought. 

           "Nothing,"hesaidaloud."Iwentouttoofar." 

           WhenhesailedintothelittleharbourthelightsoftheTerracewereoutandhekneweveryonewasinbed. Thebreezehadrisensteadilyandwasblowingstronglynow. Itwasquietintheharbourthoughandhesailedupontothelittlepatchofshinglebelowtherocks. Therewasnoonetohelphimsohepulledtheboatupasfarashecould. Thenhesteppedoutandmadeherfasttoarock. 

           Heunsteppedthemastandfurledthesailandtiedit. Thenheshoulderedthemastandstartedtoclimb. Itwasthenheknewthedepthofhistiredness.