"You'd better not," said he.

"Harry Alton's a bit short in temper when he's busy, and if you're peddling anything it would be better if you saw him after supper.

Then if you can't make a deal you can go on to-morrow.

There's plenty good straw in the barn." Deringham was not especially flattered at being mistaken for a peddler, nor had the prospect of sleeping on straw any great attraction for him, but he had a sense of humour, and, being desirous of acquiring information, took up the fowl.
"Do you put up every stranger who calls here, and give him a fowl for supper?
What am I to do with this one ?" he said.
"Now, where did you come from ?" said the other.

"That's just what we do.