The Old Man and the Sea 04

" Eighty-five is a lucky number, " the old man said. " How would you like to see me bring one in that dressed out over a thousand pounds? "

" I'll get the cast net and go for sardines. Will you sit in the sun in the doorway? " " Yes. I have yesterday's paper and I will read the baseball."

The boy did not know whether yesterday's paper was a fiction too. But the old man brought it out from under the bed.

" Perico gave it to me at the bodega, " he explained. " I'll be back when I have the sardines.

I'll keep yours and mine together on ice and we can share them in the morning. When I come back you can tell me about the baseball."

" The Yankees cannot lose." " But I fear the Indians of Cleveland." " Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

" I fear both the Tigers of Detroit and the Indians of Cleveland." " Be careful or you will fear even the Reds of Cincinnati and the White Sox of Chicago."

" You study it and tell me when I come back." " Do you think we should buy a terminal of the lottery with an eighty-five?

Tomorrow is the eighty-fifth day." " We can do that, " the boy said.

" But what about the eighty-seven of your great record? " " It could not happen twice. Do you think you can find an eighty-five? "