Ralph Stock

Name: South of the Line — Mother-of-Pearl
Author: Ralph Stock

South of the Line — Mother-of-Pearl (1922)

Summary

“South of the Line — Mother-of-Pearl”, published in 1922, is a work by Ralph Stock. It explores elements such as Ah Fang, Miri and oysters.

Quotes from South of the Line — Mother-of-Pearl (Ralph Stock)

Ralph Stock, South of the Line — Mother-of-Pearl (1922)

“ It is doubtful if there is anything more beautiful than the scene that confronted him—the indescribable colouring of the shallows merging into the dark blue of deep water, the white ribbon of the barrier reef, with its thundering surf and far-flung spindrift, that floated and danced in miniature rainbows before the sun, and, back of all, the fantastic outline of Moorea. But Ah Fang saw none of these things. They were not the affair of a man of single purpose. Without haste or hesitation he waded into the lagoon, knee, waist, chest deep, minutely examining its floor. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Ralph Stock, South of the Line — Mother-of-Pearl (1922)

“ It is a strange experience to approach one's home as a trespasser. Indeed, the thing is impossible. Miri assured herself of this as the canoe glided silently toward the seaward end of the fish fence. Who has better right of entry than the housewife? She asked herself the question while making fast the canoe, and answered it by peering cautiously through the bamboos.
Dusk had fallen, and there was no light in Ah Fang's room. The place was deserted. Yet Miri dived and swam under water to the beach, and, as she swam, her hands, out of habit, passed over the familiar floor of the lagoon. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Ralph Stock, South of the Line — Mother-of-Pearl (1922)

“ Out of mingled surprise and curiosity, Miri waited. Ah Fang ambled up the beach and into the store, returning shortly with three labelled tins that she recognized from afar. They were salmon, that doubtful delicacy for which, for some reason, your South Sea Islander will barter his immortal soul.
"There is more," he told her, placing the tins in her outstretched hands, "if you do not steal the oysters. You swim well," he added judicially. "Where do you live?"
Miri nodded up the beach. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Ralph Stock, South of the Line — Mother-of-Pearl (1922)

“ For the most part, Miri was content to add trophies to her parlour, or, with her strangely rejuvenated mother, parade Papeete beach of an evening in imitation silk stockings, to the lasting envy of relatives and friends. At such times the most that they could say was: "Where is your husband?" To which Miri would reply with a touch of hauteur and scathing emphasis on the pronoun: "My husband works."
And she spoke truth. None but a fanatic—or a Chinaman—could have laboured with the whole-souled concentration of Ah Fang. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Ralph Stock, South of the Line — Mother-of-Pearl (1922)

“ She sought relief in action on the floor of the lagoon. There were several oysters, but they were scattered. It was necessary to travel far and remain under a long time—a very long time. But there was a pearl in every one, and were they not her children, hers and Ah Fang's? A pearl in every one! The refrain sang in her ears. Her sleek body left trails of phosphorescent light as it darted here and there in the inky water. A pearl in every one! ”

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Source: Wikisource

Ralph Stock, South of the Line — Mother-of-Pearl (1922)

“ There were still some oysters in the deeper water. Miri took two to the canoe and opened them with a piece of hoop-iron. Out of each rolled a pearl the size of a healthy pea. She handled them in her hands reverently, as a mother would her child. She placed them at the lobes of her ears, and set her head at an angle. Out there in the darkness she trembled at thought of what she knew. Ah Fang could make pearls! As others grew cocoanuts, so her husband could grow pearls. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Ralph Stock, South of the Line — Mother-of-Pearl (1922)

“ The next day one of the motor monstrosities that infest Papeete conveyed a Chinaman and a camphor-wood box to the newly opened Woy Tow store on the beach road. A few scraggy chickens strutted and pecked about the veranda steps. A cat peered round a corner and fled. Against a variegated background of tinned foodstuffs and brightly hued prints a native youth, head on arms and arms on counter, slept the sleep of a Tahitian at two p.m.
Ah Fang deposited the camphor-wood box in the back room and passed out to the yard which, as Lee How had said, adjoined the beach. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Ralph Stock, South of the Line — Mother-of-Pearl (1922)

“ There were coral rocks and fronds reflecting a green, unearthly light, delicate weeds like a woman's hair flowing and rippling with the current, shells big and little, propelled at amazing speed by their hermit crab inhabitants, and that was all—all that interested Ah Fang.
A native girl waded by with a cast-net, flung it into deeper water and dived, appearing presently with a glittering fish between her teeth. She smiled at Ah Fang and passed on. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Ralph Stock, South of the Line — Mother-of-Pearl (1922)

“ A telegraphic glance passed from husband to wife, causing the latter to pout prettily and retire.
"It is the women," said Lee How, glancing apologetically about him. "They have their notions, and it is best to humour them."
"Is that so?"
"It is so in this country," affirmed Lee How. "I fear we grow out of touch."
"A pity," mused Ah Fang, whose mind was already occupied with more important matters. "All is prepared?"
"All. I have lately opened a small store, under the name of Woy Tow, on the beach road fifteen miles out of Papeete. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Ralph Stock, South of the Line — Mother-of-Pearl (1922)

“ His audience, consisting of a meagrely hirsute young man, an earnest lady in pink, and an elderly gentleman of funereal aspect, grouped about the great man's chair on the promenade deck of the Mana, wagged their heads in unison. ”

Ralph Stock

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