“I reckon the lasses can look after theirselves,” he said gruffly.
Anny put her hand on his shoulder.
“Ay,” she said, “maybe we can, but where’s the need of us troubling when you’re by?”
“Bravo, Anny, lass. The girl has wit as well as beauty,” said the man addressed as Granger from his seat in the chimney corner, whence he had moved to make room for Sue.
“Ay, a fine wench,” said Gilbot, waking for a moment; the others laughed and the talk continued cheerily.
“Evening to you all.” The speaker was a man dressed in the usual fisherman’s guernsey and breeches. He stood in the doorway, looking in on the company round the fire and smiling affably.
Hal looked up quickly and seeing who it was rose at once to meet him.
“Evening, Joe,” he said cheerily. “Come, sit down; what’ll you drink?”
Joseph Pullen smiled and took the seat offered him, and named his choice.
Anny was up in a moment to serve him, and his eyes followed her as she flitted hither and thither, with a smile for one and a jest for another, laughing happily the while. He looked across at Hal.