"Cap'n Hunken!" she announced, and went to open the door. "Most like he wants to talk business with you same as Cap'n Hocken did this morning, and I'd better make myself scarce. That's the silly way they've taken to behave, 'stead of callin' together."
"Ay, you're sharp, missy," said her master. "But 'twon't be the same arrand this time, as it happens: so you're wrong for once."
Fancy, if she heard, did not answer, for 'Bias by this time had reached the landing without. She opened to him. "Good afternoon, sir."
"Afternoon, missy. I saw your father in the shop, and he told me to walk up. Mr Rogers disengaged?"
"Ay, Cap'n—walk in, walk in!" said Mr Rogers from his chair.
What is it to-day? Business? or just a pipe and a chat?"
"Well, it's business," allowed 'Bias with a glance at the girl.
"But I'll light a pipe over it, if you don't mind."
"And I'll fit and make tea for you both," said Fancy. "It's near about time."
She vanished and closed the door behind her. 'Bias found a chair, seated himself, and filled his pipe very slowly and thoughtfully. Mr Rogers waited.
"The business that brings me—" 'Bias paused, struck a match and lit up—"ain't quite the ordinary business."
"No?"