On the Island Read Online Free PDF Page A

not deliberately, gouged out his left eye. He had lost the second one when he had been out in a boat and an oar had gone into it. Nevertheless in spite of his blindness he had been known to climb on to the roof of his house and repair the aerial of the wireless, and was totally competent in the house where he lived alone.
    â€œHullo,” Iain shouted to him and Blinder turned to him, the sticks in his hands, and Iain could have sworn that he was seeing him, so direct was his gaze.
    â€œHullo Iain,” said Blinder, “it’s a cold one.”
    â€œIt’s a cold one right enough,” said Iain in his adult voice. It didn’t occur to him to ask Blinder if he could help him with the sticks for he knew that Blinder wouldn’t want that.
    â€œWould you like to help me with the sticks?” said Blinder.
    â€œAll right,” said Iain, for it was all right if Blinder asked first.
    â€œThey’re full of snow,” said Iain.
    â€œYou’re right,” said Blinder, “it will take a long time for them to thaw out.”
    They collected some sticks and then Blinder shut the shed door and locked it and they went into the house. Blinder laid the sticks by the fire to dry and Iain sat on the bench watching the merry light of the fire, and sometimes stretching out his hands in front of him to warm them.
    â€œIt’s a great day though,” he said.
    â€œYes,” said Blinder. “I can feel it. It’s very fresh.”
    As Iain watched him he poured tea into a teapot and then said: “Would you like a cup of tea?”
    â€œAll right,” said Iain. “I’ll take a cup.” And he took the cup from Blinder and they sat there drinking tea together. The house was very tidy and the bed had already been made, for it was in the kitchen, and Iain could see it quite clearly. He noticed that the clock wasn’t working.
    â€œWell, Iain,” said Blinder genially. “I haven’t seen you for a long time. And what’s your news?” His eyes turned towards Iain as if he were searching him for news, while he sat there just like anybody else with the cup of tea in his hand.
    â€œI haven’t any news,” said Iain. “I don’t think anything is happening.” In spite of the fire his knees felt cold.
    â€œThat’s right,” said Blinder who seemed to be pleased that nothing was happening. “Here, I’ll show you something.” And he walked over to a basket which was lying in a corner of the room.
    â€œI found a bird,” he said. “What bird is it?”
    â€œI don’t know,” said Iain.
    Then he looked more closely and he thought it might be a redbreast.
    â€œI think it is a redbreast,” he said.
    â€œI thought it might be,” said Blinder.
    The bird was lying on its side in the basket and Blinder took it very gently in his hand while its beak feebly pecked. The beady eye of the bird looked at Iain with a blurred fierceness and it twisted a little in Blinder’s large gentle hand.
    â€œI think its wing is broken,” said Blinder. “Can you see if it is?”
    â€œI think it is,” said Iain, bending down to look more closely. “What are you going to do?”
    â€œI’ve been giving it hot milk,” said Blinder, “and I’ve been trying to splint its wing. I hope it won’t die.”
    â€œI don’t think so,” said Iain as the bird began to flutter its one good wing while its little breast beat spasmodically and it stared at Iain with its beady eye.
    â€œI’ll put it back,” said Blinder. “The warmth will help it.”
    â€œYes,” said Iain, “I’m sure it will.”
    They sat in silence for a little while and then Blinder said, “Have you any idea what the time is?”
    â€œI don’t know,” said Iain, “it might be about eleven o’clock.”
    â€œI bet that everything is white,”