“Piggott’s Bay,” said Sam.
“You don’t tell me you’re looking for Piggott’s Bay,” said the old man.
“Why not?” said Sam shortly.
Instead of replying the old man slapped his leg, and with his pipe cocked at one side of his mouth, laughed a thin senile laugh with the other.
“When you’ve done laughin’,” said the cook with dignity.
“But I ain’t,” said the old man, removing his pipe and laughing with greater freedom. “They’re looking for Piggott’s Bay, Joe,” he said, turning to a couple of fishermen who had just come up.
“What a lark!” said Joe, beaming with pleasure. “Come far?” he inquired.
“Cocklemouth,” said Sam with a blank look. “When you’ve done laughin’, what’s the joke?”
“Why, there ain’t no such place,” said the man. “It’s just a saying in these parts, that’s all.”
“Just a wot?” said the bewildered Sam faintly.