“'No,' I replied, 'Tavor says that contrary to the common notion, this plain is not covered with sand, it's a kind of chalk deposit.'
“'Hard to get to?'
“Old Nute shot the query in with a little quick duck of his head.
“I went straight on with the answer.
“'Tavor says it's about a five or six days' journey from a sea coast town.'
“'Hard traveling?'
“'No, Tavor says you can get within two miles of the place without any difficulty whatever—he says anybody can do it. The only difficulties are on the last two miles. But up to the last two miles, it's a holiday journey for a middle-aged woman.'
“Old Nute grunted. He put his fat hands together over his waistcoat and twiddled his thumbs.
“'Well,'; he said, 'what's in your mind about it?'
“We were now up to the trade and I stated the terms.