“You’ve s’prised him all right. He hain’t no idea what he’s runnin’ to.” He looked toward the door. “I reckon he’ll stay an hour.”
The man crossed one thin leg over another. “That gives me more time,” he said contentedly.
Uncle William gazed politely. “Was you wantin’ time?” he asked.
The man smiled. “I wanted to see you.”
“You wanted to see me?” Uncle William’s face held pleasure, but not very much curiosity.
The man nodded. “I came on purpose.”
“You did? I thought you come to bring her?” His thumb indicated the beach.
“I wanted to see you, and she wanted to come, so here we are.”
“Here you be,” assented Uncle William. “And I’m glad to see ye. He was gettin’ middlin’ hard to hold.”
The other man studied his face. “How much will you take for your place?” he asked.