He beamed from a mouth wherein teeth were few.
"So here's the she!" he said, first shaking Margery's hand. "And I wish you both luck I'm sure. 'Tis a terrible blow to Benny I can tell you, for he's been chattering about you, Miss, ever since he first catched sight of you along with the little dogs."
Benny did not hear this jest: he had gone in to prepare tea; but Jacob did hear and little liked it.
"You're getting too old for this place and this job," he said. "About time you took your bones down to the village, Frederick."
"Granted," answered Mr. Veale. "I did ought to be gone; but I say that every winter, and yet find myself up for one more season come summer again. I'm better this year than what I was last."
"You look very well indeed, Mr. Veale," declared Margery.
"The point of the wedge is in," confessed Frederick humorously. "Death have got it among my bones, and will hammer it home in God's good time; but my vitals is all working very suent yet, and if I sleep a lot, I'm wonderful between whiles."
They entered a rough, unclean kitchen cumbered with trappers' tools. Jacob was not at ease and regretted that they had come. He cut short Benny in some simple gallantries and having drunk a cup of tea, declared that they must push forward.
But Mr. Veale protested.
"Bide a bit," he said, "and smoke your pipe. Us don't have visitors very oft I warn 'e."