The Sea is a Thief (34 page)

“I believe I would, Anna,” he said.  

 

 

The sea is a thief; we know that it is.  From Anna it took a father, a teacher, a small boat, and a new love.  Sometimes, though, the sea is like a cluttered house: it does not steal, but only hides.  In moments of rare calm, it hears faintly the strongest pleadings of our hearts, and yields back to us those things we love the most.  With reluctant fingers, it tosses them back onshore.  So it had done for Anna Daisey.  The sea had seen fit to send back her Sam.  She would not let it steal him again.