“Did you make them yourself?” asked Norah.
“Behold how she fences!” said the old man. “I did indeed!”
“Then they do you proud!” said Norah solemnly.
The old man laughed.
“I shall prize your expression of opinion,” he said. “May I ask the name of my visitor?”
“I’m Norah. Please who are you?”
“That’s a different matter,” said the other, looking nonplussed. “I certainly had a name once, but I’ve quite forgotten it. I have an excellent memory for forgetting. Would you think I was a bunyip? I’d be delighted if you could!”
“I couldn’t.” Norah shook her head. “But I’ll tell you what I think you are.”
“Do.”
“A hermit!”