‘How did you run into Archie Brown?’ Hanna asked, when he had greeted him.
‘He’s writing a Gaelic epic in the hotel at the place where I was staying. And his “ravens”, by the way, are foreign fishing-boats.’
‘Yes?’ said Hanna, stiffening into interest. ‘How do you know?’
‘They got together at a party. It was the old “have-a-cigarette-no-no-keep-the-packet” routine.’
‘Sure it wasn’t cigarettes?’
‘Quite sure. I picked his pocket in the course of one Grand Chain and unpicked it next time round.’
‘Don’t tell me you’ve been country dancing!’
‘You’d be surprised at the things that I’ve been doing. I’m a little surprised myself.’
‘What was the “bread” like?’
‘A packetful of the most beautiful “large coarse” notes you ever saw.’