She asked Jed questions concerning the "whale fish" and others of his creations.
At first his replies were brief and monosyllabic, but gradually they became more lengthy, until, without being aware of it, he was carrying on his share of a real conversation.

Of course, he hesitated and paused and drawled, but he always did that, even when talking with Captain Sam Hunniwell.
He took down and exhibited his wares one by one.

Barbara asked numberless questions concerning each and chattered like a red squirrel.

Her mother showed such a genuine interest in his work and was so pleasant and quiet and friendly, was, in short, such a marked contrast to Mrs.George Powless, that he found himself actually beginning to enjoy the visit.

Usually he was glad when summer folks finished their looking and buying and went away; but now, when Mrs.Armstrong glanced at the clock on the shelf, he was secretly glad that that clock had not gone for over four months and had providentially stopped going at a quarter after three.
He took them into the inner shop, his workroom, and showed them the band saw and the lathe and the rest of his manufacturing outfit.
Barbara asked if he lived there all alone and he said he did.
"I live out there," he explained, pointing toward the shop extension.