The measured beat of the waters against the sides of the boat, and
the musical boom of the more distant waves, were more lulling than
silence, and she slept sound.
Once she opened her eyes heavily, and dimly saw the old grey, rough
boatman (who had stood out the most obstinately for the full fare)
covering her with his thick pea-jacket. He had taken it off on
purpose, and was doing it tenderly in his way, but before she could
rouse herself up to thank him she had dropped off to sleep again.
At last, in the dusk of evening, they arrived at the landing-place
from which they had started some hours before. The men spoke to
Mary, but though she mechanically replied, she did not stir; so, at
length, they were obliged to shake her. She stood up, shivering and
puzzled as to her whereabouts.
"Now tell me where you are bound to, missus," said the grey old man,
"and maybe I can put you in the way."
She slowly comprehended what he said, and went through the process
of recollection; but very dimly, and with much labour. She put her
hand into her pocket and pulled out her purse, and shook its
contents into the man's hand; and then began meekly to unpin her
shawl, although they had turned away without asking for it.
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