‘Krog pa gavi, ne vezo ket peh a ini: if you find one, sink your hooks in, there won’t be enough to go around! As you will have worked out, men are a rare commodity in these parts. They inspire covetousness and are the cause of many a scrap among the women.’ He was silent, pointedly holding the gaze of his interlocutor. ‘We wouldn’t want that now, would we?’

As they made their way, chatting, back through the village, a throng of girls escorted them at a respectful distance, beyond the reach of the priest’s sweeping gestures, which sought to shoo them away as you would flies. They accompanied the two men to the steps of the presbytery and waited for Jules outside.

With heavy gestures and hands like great paws, the man of the cloth removed his chasuble and stole, folding them carefully while his visitor set out the reasons for his presence on the island.

‘You have been misinformed, Monsieur: there are no men here. No sooner have they left childhood behind than they join the Navy or Merchant Marine, to return only twice a year.’

‘Rest assured, I am not some broker engaging in horse-trading. I have been sent directly by my family-in-law. Very respectable people who are seeking a substitute for their young son, who drew a bad number in the ballot.’

‘How much is the father prepared to offer?’

‘Casimir de Rigny is prepared to pay 8000 francs. Half upon signature before a notary in Brest, and the balance a year and a day after the date of enlistment into the corps. I shall bear the cost of the journey by train to Paris, as well as tobacco and kit, plus 50 francs for your poor box.’

‘I would prefer 100!’

‘I’ll go to 100 if you find me a handsome specimen.’

‘A handsome specimen, a handsome specimen . . . Perhaps I can indeed find you a handsome one, yes . . . Let me see. When do you leave?’

‘Tomorrow morning would be perfect. Today is the 14th. It is imperative I be back in Paris by the morning of the 17th, with or without a man.’

‘Oh no, that is not how things work around here! Either you reboard the lugger at high tide, or you remain here with us for a week, perhaps more if the weather is bad.’

‘Ah,’ said Jules, with some regret, having already imagined himself in orgiastic scenes with all those beautiful farmgirls lining up outside his door. He sighed. ‘I have undertaken to return prior to the sitting of my brother-in-law’s recruitment board. I am thus obliged to leave.’

‘I know a kelp farmer who has just lost his boat . . . Perhaps he would agree to sell himself. I’ll scrub him down for you before I show him to you.’