"Is this Double Up Cove, and are you Toby Twig?" asked the stranger through an ice-coated beard, when he was free to speak.
"Aye," admitted Toby, "'tis Double Up Cove, and I'm Toby Twig, sir. Come into the house and get warmed up and have a cup o' tea. 'Tis a wonderful cold day to be cruisin', sir."
"Thank you," said the stranger, shaking hands with Toby and Charley. "It is cold traveling, and I'll come in."
"Charley and I'll be unloadin' your komatik, and puttin' your cargo inside so the dogs won't get at un," suggested Toby. "You'll bide here the night, sir?"
"Yes," said the stranger, "I'll spend the night here."
"Come in and have a cup o' tea, and we'll loose your dogs after, sir," suggested Toby, leading the way to the cabin.
Mrs. Twig, still flurried with the coming of a stranger, met them at the door.
"Come right in, sir. 'Tis wonderful cold outside," she invited.
"Thank you," said the man. "That fish you're frying smells appetizing. My name is Marks. I'm the trader at White Bear Run. I suppose you're Mrs. Twig and this little maid is your daughter?"
"Aye, sir, I'm Mrs. Twig and this is Vi'let."