His tone, like his manner, was sharp and quick and businesslike, but he spoke with the Down-East twang and used the Cape phrases and metaphors.

He was younger than I, but he looked older, and, of late, it had seemed to me that he was growing more nervous.

We shook hands.
"Glad to see you," he said again.

"I was hoping you'd drift in.

I presumed likely you might.