Welcome to Gaia! ::

*Maggie flushes a bit, pleased despite herself* Well, I'm glad ye both like them.

*Will's already managed to inhale most of the rest of his, along with half his milk. * M'I have another? *he asks around the last mouthful*

*Maggie touches his hair lightly* Mind ye finish chewing before ye speak, Will. *she reminds him before answering* And ye may, but just one, so ye save some room for yer supper later.

*Will drags his arm across the back of his mouth to wipe away the crumbs and milk mustache and informs them both with great certainty* I could eat five and still have room!

*Maggie and Will both laugh at the idea* "Only ogres and giants do that." *Will informs Bard matter-of-factly, then glances at his mother and adds the obvious with another giggle* "And Mama's not either!"

"Ahh!" *Will lets out a shout, delighted by the sudden game. He darts around to the other side of the table, turnover forgotten* "Ye canna catch me, giant! Ye're too slow!"

*Maggie laughs at their antics, tidying up the kitchen a bit as they circle the table. Will darts back and forth, changing directions to keep away from Bard, crying out in mock alarm whenever he gets too close, and grinning all the while*

*He cuts around the corner by the door, but then comes to a halt as it suddenly swings open. Startled, he backs up, only to bump into Bard's legs*

"Margaret, where in Heaven's name is Elinore, she--" *The woman cuts off abruptly, her hand still on the doorlatch. She looks to be in her forties or so, her light brown hair streaked with gray and pulled back under a snood. Her clothes are of higher quality than Maggie's, but still practical, and her sharp features give her a rather severe look. Her current expression does little to lighten her appearance*

Agnes .. *Maggie's eyes widen in alarm, and her color whitens considerably. She doesn't even have time to get another word out before Agnes turns, glaring, and demands to know*

"Who the devil is this and what is he doing in my kitchen?"

*Agnes turns her attention back to him, her heckles lowering a bit at his polite greeting* "Well, Master Bard," *she eyes him up and down, still suspicious, but reminding herself that she cannot give too much offense to someone who might be a paying customer. Her tone still comes out very stern, though* If you wanted something from the kitchen, you need only have asked.

*Beside Bard, Will shifts uneasily from one foot to the other. His dislike for Agnes is fairly clear, but he at least manages to hold his tongue for the moment. His mother, meanwhile, scrambles for an explanation as her employer pins her with another look*

"Margaret, you, of all people, know very well that --"

*But Maggie interrupts uncharacteristically to blurt out,* Agnes, he's from Lyndewick. *Agnes' expression shifts immediately at that, and even Will seems to react. Maggie glances briefly at Bard before pressing on.* That is, he . .. he's traveled by way of there, and I .. *she stumbles over her words, never very good at lying* Fergive me, Agnes. I didna wish te neglect my work... but he had news of Lyndewick and I ... I asked him back here that I might speak with him ....

*Will immediately opens his mouth to protest, not at all willing to let Agnes cut Bard's visit short. Maggie gives him a warning look, though, and he closes it again, looking extremely unhappy about the whole situation*

"No." *Agnes seems to come to a decision as she overcomes her own surprise at Maggie's announcement.* "No, that will not be necessary. It is, of course, understandable that Margaret would wish to speak with you, given the circumstances." *she clears her throat and continues stiffly* "If you have no objections to sparing the time for her, then you are quite welcome."

*That response seems to meet with Agnes' immediate approval. She nods her head in turn* "Indeed, Master Bard, it is very good of you. And may I then expect you will be staying with us this eve?"

*Will brightens considerably at that idea, but behind Agnes, Maggie gives a slight, almost imperceptable shake of her head. Her eyes beg Bard to take her meaning - she hasn't the money to give him to pay for a room, and Agnes would be sure to find out if he wasn't in the books.*

*Maggie quickly chimes in to help Bard out* Aye, he'd only stopped for a meal here before continuing on toward Canterbury .. . but was kind enough te take the time te speak with me.

"Well," *Agnes straightens, a little put off to not be getting more business, but takes it in stride* "If your plans change, by all means do speak to Master White. I am certain he would be pleased to accomodate you, sir. Perhaps in the future, if not in this instance."