Conversation on the Terrace

Santiago and Manolin sit on the Terrace, a local restaurant and gathering place for fishermen. Some fishermen mock the old man, but he is not angry; older fishermen look at him with sadness. The boy offers to buy sardines for the next day, but Santiago refuses, telling him to stay with the lucky boat. They talk about baseball, the great DiMaggio, and Santiago's past voyages to Africa. The boy brings supper from Martin, the owner of the Terrace, and they eat together in the old man's shack. This scene deepens the relationship between Santiago and Manolin and introduces themes of luck, faith, and the old man's enduring hope.