The story was told in gasps, between sips of the strong liquor. Her father had been backing up, holding a sextant4 to his eye, and had fallen into the deep, swift river that ran along the edge of their property. Sisyphus had immediately plunged in after him, and had pulled him from the cold water.
After he recovered, the grateful man offered Sisyphus any one of his daughters for his wife. The daughters were summoned to his study, six of them crying and protesting that Sisyphus was unworthy. Merope took her customary place in the corner, smiling serenely 5and saying nothing.
Their father became angry and told the girls sharply that they were being ungrateful and that Sisyphus had proven himself worthy without a doubt by saving his life. At his admonition, their cries became sniffles6, and they sat quietly, swollen-eyed and sullen.
Sisyphus surveyed his choices and smiled when his eyes landed upon Merope. “I would have Merope, sir. Merope will be my wife.” Her sisters’ heads snapped up, and where there had been dread a moment before, there was now jubilation7 and chagrin in quick succession.