Старик и море

           Hestoppedforamomentandlookedbackandsawinthereflectionfromthestreetlight thegreattailofthefishstandingupwellbehindtheskiff’sstern. Hesawthewhitenakedlineofhisbackbone andthedarkmassoftheheadwiththeprojectingbillandallthenakednessbetween. 

           Hestartedtoclimbagainandatthetophefellandlayforsometimewiththemastacrosshisshoulder. Hetriedtogetup.Butitwastoodifficultandhesattherewiththemastonhisshoulderandlookedattheroad. Acatpassedonthefarsidegoingaboutitsbusinessandtheoldmanwatchedit. Thenhejustwatchedtheroad. 

           Finallyheputthemastdownandstoodup. Hepickedthemastupandputitonhisshoulderandstarteduptheroad. Hehadtositdownfivetimesbeforehereachedhisshack. 

           Insidetheshackheleanedthemastagainstthewall. Inthedarkhefoundawaterbottleandtookadrink. Thenhelaydownonthebed. Hepulledtheblanketoverhisshouldersandthenoverhisbackandlegs andhesleptfacedownonthenewspaperswithhisarmsoutstraightandthepalmsofhishandsup. 

           Hewasasleepwhentheboylookedinthedoorinthemorning. Itwasblowingsohardthatthedrifting-boatswouldnotbegoingoutandtheboyhadsleptlate andthencometotheoldman’sshackashehadcomeeachmorning. Theboysawthattheoldmanwasbreathingandthenhesawtheoldman’shandsandhestartedtocry. Hewentoutveryquietlytogotobringsomecoffeeandallthewaydowntheroadhewascrying.