"Ho there! Look where y'be standing or y'won't be no more, f'r all y'r fine looks!"
Still somewhat dazed after emerging from a dim cabin onto a ships deck Edouard didn't respond as he typically would have, with some scathing commentary. His typical expression of insouciance was replaced with a look of vague confusion.
"I say, I am most terribly sorry. You wouldn't happen to know where I might find something to eat at this hour, would you."
Eyeing him in a considering fashion the man shrugged and gestured. "Y' might find what y'r lookin' f'r in that direction," he chuckled. "If y'r lookin' f'r what I think y' ar'." He winked suggestively before turning back to his work.
"My thanks"
The man did not acknowledge Edouard's attempt at gratitude. Perhaps he sensed the gratitude was not so much for his words but for something entirely different. Listening to the rumpled man's footsteps walking carefully down the temporary gangway, he waited; until he heard the hollow steps turn solid. Only then did he shift around and peer at the back of the disappearing stranger.
It would be dawn soon the sailor noted. He eyed the path that the man had taken to go ashore. Now wasn't that interesting? The plank had been left out all night. Gazing once more in the direction Edouard had taken the sailor adjusted his cap more firmly in place and set to work again. Orders are always orders and his duty was to carry them out.
How very difficult if in fact impossible to imagine what Edouard must have been thinking and feeling as he made his solitary journey. True, there were soon to be other people sharing the streets and avenues which he traversed but none of these fellow beings were known to him. Neither their costume nor their speech hearkened to his sense of belonging. Thus, as he had no idea where he was it made not the slightest difference to Edouard in what direction he traveled.
Yet there is only so long a person can travel before weariness and the need to know, to understand, to at least make some sense of ones situation arises and must be satisfied. Having wandered into a small park Edouard came to rest upon a semi secluded bench tucked behind a small fountain which was partially overhung by the branches of a spreading oak.
Reaching into his pocket for his handkerchief his fingers encountered something else as well. Puzzled he pulled out a sealed packet which as he turned it over was addressed in neat handwriting to: Msr. E. du Lac. Before breaking the seal Edouard carefully considered its design. A stranger might have remarked how similar this wax impression was to the figure of the tree in whose shade he presently rested. This person might then have noted how ingeniously the artist had formed a coil around the waxen trunk so as to rival the scaly splendor of the Serpent. Having made these observations it might have further occurred to such a hypothetical stranger that the image of a great tempter was a rather peculiar insignia to possess.
No strange being present, Edourd broke the seal.
Author's Note:
So this may not appear very Dickensian. WhileI do admire Mr. Dicken's work, it is his work which inspires me to create my own. The characters in this story are mine.I welcome any constructive feedback as I wish to improve as a writer. Thank you for making it to chapter 3CV