"I been expectin' you this hour an' more," announced Tabb's child.
"Stoppin' for drinks on the road, I reckon?"
"We did take a drink, now you mention it," stammered Captain Cai, caught aback: "though, as it happens that don't account for our bein' late. But what brings you, here, missy?"
She laid a finger on her lip. "Sh! I've got 'em."
"Got what?"
"Servants for 'ee. They're inside." She pointed back in to the passage mysteriously.
"Who's this child?" demanded Captain 'Bias.
"She's—er—a young friend o' mine—" began Captain Cai. But Fancy interrupted him, dropping a slight curtsey, and addressing his friend straight.
"My name's Fancy Tabb, sir. Which I hope you'll like Troy, and Cap'n Hocken ast me to make myself useful an' find you a pair of servants— woman an' boy."
"Oh, but hold hard!" protested Captain Cai. "We haven't started furnishin' yet."
She nodded. "That's all right. No hurry with either of 'em—not for some weeks, or so long as it suits you. But you'll be safer to bespeak 'em: an' Mrs Bowldler is the chance of a lifetime."