Dat's de bes' t'ing I can wish for you." Gale spoke to him in patois, and all he said was: "May you not forget, my son." They did not look into each other's eyes; there was no need.

The old man stooped, and, taking both his children by the hand, walked slowly towards the house.
"Dis tam' I'll fin' it for sure," smiled Poleon to Necia.
Her eyes were shining through the tears, and she whispered, fervently: "I hope so, brother.

God love you--always." It was grief at losing a playmate, a dear and well-beloved companion.
He knew it well, and he was glad now that he had never said a word of love to her.

It added to his pain, but it lightened hers, and that had ever been his wish.

He gazed on her for a long moment, taking in that blessed image which would ever live with him--in his eyes was the light of a love as pure and clean as ever any maid had seen, and in his heart a sorrow that would never cease.
"Good-bye, li'l' gal," he said, then dropped her hand and entered his canoe.