on the hills and a church。 I had been looking at the road that skirted the shore for guards but did not see any。 The road came quite close to the lake now and I saw a soldier ing out of a caf?on the road。 He wore a gray…green uniform and a helmet like the Germans。 He had a healthy…looking face and a little toothbrush mustache。 He looked at us。
〃Wave to him;〃 I said to Catherine。 She waved and the soldier smiled embarrassedly and gave a wave of his hand。 I eased up rowing。 We were passing the waterfront of the village。
〃We must be well inside the border;〃 I said。
〃We want to be sure; darling。 We don't want them to turn us back at the frontier。〃
〃The frontier is a long way back。 I think this is the customs town。 I'm pretty sure it's Brissago。〃
〃Won't there be Italians there? There are always both sides at a customs town。〃
〃Not in war…time。 I don't think they let the Italians cross the frontier。〃
It was a nice…looking little town。 There were many fishing boats along the quay and nets were spread on racks。 There was a fine November rain falling but it looked cheerful and clean even with the rain。
〃Should we land then and have breakfast?〃
〃All right。〃
I pulled hard on the left oar and came in close; then straightened out when we were close to the quay and brought the boat alongside。 I pulled in the oars; took hold of an iron ring; stepped up on the wet stone and was in Switzerland。 I tied the boat and held my hand down to Catherine。
〃e on up; Cat。 It's a grand feeling。〃
〃What about the bags?〃
〃Leave them in the boat。〃
Catherine stepped up and we were in Switzerland together。
〃What a lovely country;〃 she said。
〃Isn't it grand?〃
〃Let's go and have breakfast!〃