Tap tap tap.
The click of heels down the street made a most satisfying sound. Edouard smiled to himself. Yes. Now if only he had…
" 'Scuse me"
Edouard's thoughts were interrupted.
"I say 'scuse me . Y'wouldn't appen to have a bit of change on y' would y'?
Edouard's smile faded as he turned his head without slowing his pace to view the …well, well, well. Perhaps it would be better to pause and give a listen.
"Yes?"
"Sorry to trouble y' but I was wonderin' if y' had any bit of a help y'could give me. I wouldn't ask only my sis Bess she …."
At the name Bess Edouard stopped listening. He began to fidget slightly with the lace cuff that poured from his velvet sleeve. The rasp of a worn section reminded him that he was several weeks in arrears with his tailor. Confound it. The churl! Surely he could grant a bit of leniency to such patronage as….Again his thoughts were interrupted.
"I see sir that y' ave other thoughts t'mind.." The boy tipped his hat slightly. "I'll not be troubling y' further."
"Wait. Wait." Edouard realized his error. Here after all was the perfect solution to his bit of difficulty. Looking at the young man who had paused in the street before him Edouard's mind flickered briefly to a similar moment a few years ago. Only then the prize had been female: how much had he been paid then? Appraising the sturdiness of the lad before him his mood lifted. He shrugged. No bother, surely not nearly as much as this fellow would bring for a ship hungry for crew.
Edouard clasped the boy by his shoulder.
"I do beg your pardon for my inattention. You were saying that your sister was in need of assistance? Perhaps I can help after all." Edoaurd grinned, two is better than one and the Delphi was back in port.