“I’m not feared,” he said; “let him come.”
Hal looked at Gilbot who had been watching the scene attentively.
“Ohsh he’sh all right,” said the old man. “Let him come, Hal.”
Hal shrugged his shoulders, and sent Anny upstairs to look to the guest’s room. Then he quietly and unobtrusively moved everything movable to the sides of the room, so leaving a clear space in the centre.
The company also shrugged their shoulders and edged a little away from Blueneck so that the sailor found himself sitting alone on a bench. He looked round him uneasily, but did not move.
Suddenly Tant, who had been looking out of the window, remarked in a stage whisper, “Here he come,” and then dived under a pile of sacking in a far corner.
Nobody spoke and the silence was almost uncomfortable. Little Red noticed it, and after looking about put his arms round French’s neck and climbed on to his knee.
“Put Win into your pocket,” he whispered, “she got hurt last time Nan and Pet fought.”
French obeyed and, moving a little farther into the chimney corner, he looked up shyly at Sue, who smiled and came round the high seat to sit beside him.
French made room for her on the inside of the bench, and she took Red from him and held the child herself.