The Lure of the Sea
(as told to) Ann Hays
Photographs by Ken Hays
The part played by the
father is represented by
a charming 13-½-inch
German parian male
doll wearing a navy blue
double-breasted jacket
and red plaid trousers.
The role of Mother is
played by an unmarked
French fashion lady
doll on a kid body. Her
bisque is quite lovely
as are her intense
blue eyes. She has
her original wig and
is wearing a vintage
costume with a beige
wool shawl.
66
SUMMER 2014
S
cience, superstition and lore have long been associated with the sea. My father is a
brave and noble sea captain who commands a clipper ship on voyages around Cape
Horn, spanning the Atlantic Ocean. There were huge voids in my life when he was
gone for months at a time. As his only son, I was commanded to look after the family in his
absence. My mother, two sisters and I always anxiously awaited his return. Our spacious
home overlooked the sea. My French-speaking mother spent much of her time wistfully
gazing out the window as her busy hands directed the management of the house, saw to our
tender care and education and skillfully created masterpieces of embroidery and lace.
This was all put aside when rumors of returning ships began to arise. It was then we all
joined as a family to watch for our father's majestic ship to glide into the harbor with sails
billowing in the wind. Since it was not proper for us to go down to the docks unescorted, we
anxiously awaited his arrival. It was not long before we saw him striding up the street toward
home. He was followed by a young German sailor carrying Father's sea chest, packages and
numerous boxes. "What hidden treasures did he have and what wonderful tales would he
tell," we wondered with excitement coursing through our bodies.
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Doll News Summer 2014