He held half a loaf and a big slab of goat's-milk cheese between his huge thumb and finger.

He paused exactly on the spot where he had stood so long, and seemed about to become absorbed in the contemplation of the empty fishing boats lying in the sun.

Sebastiano watched him with hungry eyes, but Ruggiero again stared at the sea.

After several minutes the old boatswain got under way again and came to them, holding out the food to them both.
"Eat," he said laconically.
They both jumped up and thanked him, and pulled at their ragged caps before they took the bread and cheese from his hand.

He nodded gravely, which was his way of explaining that he could not hear but that it was all right, and then he watched them as they set to work.
"Like wolves," he said solemnly, as he looked on.
The place was quite deserted at that hour.