Honeybird did not understand. "Aren't ye feared a' them things?" she asked.
"Not in the least," he replied.
"I'll hould ye ye're feared robbers'll come an' steal all yer stockin's full of gold," she said.
"My stockings full of gold!" he repeated, looking puzzled.
"Teressa sez ye've got hapes an' hapes a' them," she said.
"I am afraid they only exist in Theresa's imagination," he said. "I have not got one stocking full of gold."
Honeybird stared. "Then ye haven't got one to give away?" she faltered.
Mr M'Keown sat up in his chair, and made a crackling noise in his throat, that grew more distinct, till at last Honeybird realised that he was laughing.
"I have not laughed for ten years," he said, smiling at her.
She tried to smile back, but her eyes were full of tears.