“No. Yes,” said the old man.
“That’s right. I want some to-night. Will you go and fetch it?”
“Yes. Stop there,” said Uncle Luke sourly, as he saw a chance of making a few pence, and wondered whether he would get enough from his customer.
“Mind my sitting down inside, Master Luke Vine, sir? It’s hot, and I’m tired; and it’s a long way up here.”
“Why do you come, then?”
“Wanted to say a few words to you about my gal when we’ve done our bit o’ trade.”
“Come in and sit down, then,” said the old man gruffly. And his visitor slipped the leather band from her forehead, set her basket on the granite wall, and went into the kitchen-like room, wiping her brow as she seated herself in the old rush-bottomed chair.
“I’ll fetch it here,” said Uncle Luke, and he went round to the back, to return directly with the second half of the conger.
“There,” said the old man eagerly, “how much for that?”
“Oh. I can’t buy half a conger, Mr Luke Vine, sir; and I don’t know as I’d have took it if it had been whole.”