The metal of the guns and the uniforms vibrates and flashes; the light is also playing on the faces of those who have surrounded Haggart in a close circle--these are his nearest, his friends.

And in the distance there is a different game--there a large ship is dancing silently, casting its light upon the black waves, and the black water plays with them, pleating them like a braid, extinguishing them and kindling them again.
A noisy conversation and the splashing of the waters--and the dreadful silence of kindred human lips that are sealed.
"I am listening to you, Mariet," says Haggart at last.

"What do you want, Mariet?
It is impossible that some one should have offended you.

I ordered them not to touch your house." "Oh, no, Haggart, no! No one has offended me!" exclaimed Mariet cheerfully.

"But don't you like me to hold little Noni in my arms?
Then I will put him down here among the rocks.