"How do you do?"
"How do you do?" echoed the new-comer, and he also shook hands with the Colonel before he sat down.
"Are you Unookuk?"
"Yes. How far you come?"
Peetka said something rude, before the strangers had time to answer, and all the room went into titters. But Unookuk listened with dignity while the Colonel repeated briefly the story already told. Plainly it stumped Unookuk.
"Come from Anvik?" he repeated.
"Yes; stayed with Mr. Benham."
"Oh, Benham!" The trader's familiar name ran round the room with obvious effect. "It is good to have A. C. Agent for friend," said Unookuk guardedly. "Everybody know Benham."
"He is not A. C. Agent much longer," volunteered the Boy.
"That so?"