Translation:The High Mountains/56

The next morning Foudoulis couldn't get up. His hand was burning hot and his pulse was quick. This is the first time that sickness had affected them up there.

Andreas sat down near the bed of his young friend and looked at him sadly. The child wanted to throw off his bedcovers. He was plunged in a light sleep, he moves and turns over onto the other side. He is thirsty and asks for water.

—We'll have to get a doctor, said Dimos.

—And where do we find one? Asked Andreas.

—There's no doctor, neither in the Small Village, nor in Petra.

—We must go to another village. We’ll have to go down to the town.

At the moment when they were talking, Mr Stephan appeared. As soon as they saw him they took heart.

—How are you children? How's it going Andreas?

—Foudoulis! replied the children.

—What's he done, Foudoulis?

—He's sick.

Mr Stephan moves towards the cabin and leans over the child; he touches his hand and his forehead. Foudoulis opens his eyes and looks at him.

—How are you feeling, Foudoulis? Asks Mr Stephan; Have you got a pain anywhere?

—No.

—Maybe you have eaten some biscuits?

—I haven't got any, said Foudoulis.

—Anything else a bit heavy? Something light?

—No, nothing light either.

—Tell me, he leans over and asks him secretly, maybe you ate just a very small amount of wild pears?

—A few, said Foudoulis.

—A few? Like how many?

—All I found on the pear tree.

—And that was when?

—The day before yesterday, said Foudoulis; and yesterday.

Mr Stephan went outside and called over Andreas with Phanos and Dimos.

—Foudoulis is a good boy, he says and we like him very much, but you know his failing. He's greedy. As from now you're going to watch over him. Today and tomorrow he's going to have only hot drinks; a little sage. Have you got any?

—Yes! Father Costas left us a bag of it.

—Then Foudoulis will drink sage for two days.

What bad luck! Shortly afterwards, Aphrodo sent them a tart.