Harry stuffs another plug between cheek and gum. "Get farther talking to the servants, seems." She spits to one side for emphasis. "Didn't learn anything new about Abigail's lost love, though." She fishes in her ditty bag for a moment before producing a whetstone. "If this is where the other voice first comes in, reckon we oughta keep a lookout for other new arrivals." The big knife comes out from beneath Harry's squall jacket, and she proceeds to sharpen it in almost a ritualistic manner.

"I was trying to find a person in the family who we might get closer to," the Prof. explains. "This Daniel Collins boy sounds like a good candidate. I will try to find him at the Blue Whale."

"Maybe later we can talk more to the servants."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:34, Thu 22 Mar 2018.

In reply to Prof. Everett Willoughby (msg # 47):

The old fellow comes back up to you. "Well, I can't find Isabella right now, she's probably down by the shore or walking in the woods or over at the new house by now for all I know... Do you happen to have any details of this 'Willie' Loomis that you've remembered, or any clues about the man he was talking to?"

Harry answers the elder Collins after a moment's thought. "Him and your Mr. Loomis were as alike as peas in a pod," she tells him. "As for the other party, could've been a woman for all I know." She spits to one side and continues. "Tricorn hat. High-collared cape or greatcoat. Dark hair. Never saw their face or heard their voice clearly. Facing away from me the entire time."

In reply to Harriet MacLeod (aka 'Harry') (msg # 49):

"Oh? Hm... sounds like a military man to me... or perhaps, as you point out, a man-- or woman-- wanting to give that impression... Yes... Hm... I'm glad I asked you to wait... Anyone else got any details that've come to you...?"

Harry's hand pauses with the whetstone. "Nice day for a youngster to go wandering about," she says, gesturing harmlessly with the knife. "Grew up near here. Seal Cove, beautiful country." She spits to one side and resumes caring for her blade. "Think this weather will hold?"

"Bah... I didn't mean just details about your life story nor the weather, I meant about this strange lookalike causing trouble for my family! ...Let's start coming at this from another direction... You there, sir, tell me more about yourself... what sort of work did you expect to find here?"

"I am a doctor, sir," says the doctor. "Since my understanding was that Ms. Abigail Collins was a mature woman of means, that perhaps she might have need of a personal doctor. I was led to believe that her health was not of the finest."

"On the contrary, my sister may outlive me, if she can avoid working herself into a conniption fit one of these days..." He turns to the professor. "And you... what sort of work did you hope to find here?"

"I'm a historian. I compile the genealogies and chronicles of New England's finest families," the Professor says, and, technically, this is not even a lie. "I was looking to clarify certain points of my genealogical studies."

In reply to Prof. Everett Willoughby (msg # 53):

The reply doesn't seem to meet with the man's approval nor disapproval. "I see." He turns to Harry. "And you, sir? What manner of employment did you expect that my sister might have to offer...?!"

Harry finishes honing her knife, which disappears again beneath her squall jacket. "Just heard of work, sir, and thought to take it if I could," she replies. "Been a sailor all my life, told she needed hands for a ship. I'm strong, good pillot, fair carpenter."

In reply to Harriet MacLeod (aka 'Harry') (msg # 55):

The man crosses his arms and sighs. He seems sad that none of you have given him a reason to shout at you. "...Hmph. I don't know what to say... Let me think." He stares at each of you in turn.

"As for a doctor, Collinsport could use one, actually. The last one... left. ...In fact, I think his office is still empty, as I recall... Could I possibly interest you in staying in Collinsport...? Perhaps a small loan from me, to get you started... considering the unfortunate circumstances you three have had of late...?"

"As for you... How do you normally make your living...? As a genealogist...? In academia? Do you write books about such things...?"

"Finally, your skills, sir, are rather more naturally in demand in a town like Collinsport... Do you have any experience with fishing boats, specifically...?"

The doctor's face suggests that he's interested in taking Mr. Collins up on his offer, but that he wants to see how you two will reply, first...
This message was last edited by the player at 13:51, Tue 27 Mar 2018.

"Yes, but also as a private tutor. I teach history and languages."

In reply to Prof. Everett Willoughby (msg # 57):

"Hmmmmm. What languages?"

"Classics: Latin and Greek. But also modern languages, like German or French."

In reply to Prof. Everett Willoughby (msg # 59):

"Hm. My children have all had tutoring in Latin, of course, but their Greek and French is not the best... haven't had German, though, that's mildly interesting from a business standpoint... I think I'll ask my wife's opinion... And my oldest son, Aaron... his little boy Leo will need a tutor sooner or later... have you ever worked with small children? Leo is only 5, but they learn languages best the earlier one starts 'em, it's always seemed to me..."

"Depends on whether young Leo has mastered the art of reading and writing. But I have heard from fellow tutors, that indeed in the early years, children are rather capable of learning to speak a language, without reading or writing it."

"He has a governess, a Miss Wick... he can read and write about as well as you'd expect for a 5-year-old, which isn't terribly well, but..." Mr. Collins shrugs.

Harry spits to one side and nods. "Fished these shores from Ogunquit to Passamaquoddy, and the whole of the Gulf from Nantucket to Nova Scotia," she replies with no small pride. "No stranger to the farther banks either, from St. Georges to the Flemish Cap." She stows her whetstone in her ditty bag. "Haddock. Redfish. Herring. Cod. Hailbut. Lobster. Crab."

"Lobster? Let's not be uncivilized. But I understand your point-- you have a wide range of experience. The Collins fishing fleet mostly fishes herring, although at times we'll take sardines or mackerel, sometimes cod."

"So... Doctor, you've heard my offer... sir, I'll speak to my wife and son about tutoring possibilities... and... Oh, this is awkward. What are your names, please? I am Isaac Collins... or were you aware of that already?"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:51, Tue 27 Mar 2018.

"I'm Professor Everett Willoughby. Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Collins."

Harry simply grunts. "Harry. Harry MacLeod."

In reply to Harriet MacLeod (aka 'Harry') (msg # 66):

"Dr. Jarrod McKenzie."

"Mm. Well then, doctor, professor... Mr. MacLeod... I am making some very kind offers, it's true, but I'll also admit to an ulterior motive... I want you around Collinsport to act as my eyes and ears, in case you are contacted by either of the persons responsible for sending you here... by doing you a kindness and working to set you up with employment, I will expect you to come and report to me first if anything like that happens, or if you hear of any other plots or schemes involving members of my family... will you each accept my offer... and my proposal...?"

"I accept your terms, Mr. Collins," says the Professor, and reaches out to shake hands on it with Isaaac Collins.

In reply to Prof. Everett Willoughby (msg # 68):

"As do I," says the doctor, who does the same. "But what of you, er, Harry?"

Harry grunts and spits again. "Real eager to get my mitts on who sent me here," she says, fingering her knife before it once again vanishes beneath her squall jacket.. "Yeah... I'm in."