Ye Olde Basket Patrol [Lancelot]

[Lucy Halacre]

Lucy wandered through the streets of the Lower Town, taking in the sights and smells even though she had lived there for a good decade of her life. Despite most citizens emptying their waste out of windows, the Town never smelt truly unpleasant. The smell of the fresh and the not-so-fresh market produce was more than enough to mask it. She inhaled the smell of fresh bread happily as she passed the baker's stall. That scent always cheered her up, although she could never truly afford anything that delicious.

Traders called out to her as she passed, but Lucy smiled and shook her head. She had her own sales to make today. Her welfare for the next week depended on the aging straw basket she held loosely at her side. The hundred or so herb packets she had carefully gathered from the woods should leave her with enough food to live on, providing they all sold. But it was late summer, and bouts of illness were as dry on the ground as the cloudless blue sky.

That was the problem with being a herb trader. Working the summer was so much easier, but illness was scarce. Working the winter was tough, very tough. But the likelihood of waking up ill was as high as going to bed freezing your toes off. So business was almost ridiculously easy. Sometimes, Lucy regretted ever taking an interest in herbs.

Still, today felt good. She had all sorts of cures, from boils to an inflammation of the throat. Somebody had to be ailing somewhere! Deciding that if she carried on looking benign and an ordinary scurrying peasant, she'd never sell anything, she started to approach people. By ten, she'd sold absolutely nothing. People were too busy basking in the late summer sun or stocking up for the first days of Winter to take an interest in buying remedies.

Lucy sighed after being turned away yet again from a pale, sickly-looking man who looked like he needed what she had. Apparently, he was at 'the peak of health'. She'd seen rear ends of cows that looked more healthy. Time to try her luck elsewhere, perhaps? Just as she was turning to leave for the poor areas of town that were more likely to be nursing sickness, something caught her eye. A flash of bold red.

It wasn't that uncommon in the Market, to see that red cloak. It only meant the guards were on patrol, but still, Lucy panicked a little. If anyone discovered her fatal secret, she was toast. Quite literally. But perhaps the Knight was in need of a cure?

Deciding her lunch was more important than a minuscule chance this Knight would drag her up in front of the King because he had some mystical magic sensor (which was, quite frankly, ridiculous), she headed towards him over the cobbled streets. "Excuse me?" She asked, tapping him on the shoulder, "Would you like to buy a remedy?"

Tagged: Lancelot
When: After Series 3
Word Count: 494

[Deleted]

Was this the way it was supposed to be, Lancelot wondered as he walked through the Lower Town. He would have just as soon to have made camp in the Forest outside of the city of Camelot, or bedded down next to his black Arabian stallion, Sher-Fore, in the stables. It was indeed kind for Prince Arthur to allot to each of his new Knights a horse of his own choosing. However, Sher-Fore was as close to a true companion that Lancelot had ever had, outside of the potential that there had been with Gwen, if he had chosen to pursue it, so he had begged off the offer.

Besides, Lancelot had no idea whether the new Knights would be accepted by the old Knights, or even the citizens of Camelot at large. Of course there was the question of whether the most important Camelot citizen of all, King Uther Pandragon would give their blessing. Despite his preferences, however, of continuing in the Forest, it wasn't really practical. Lancelot did not feel comfortable in the castle, but knew he had to stay close by. So he had decided to take rooms at the Ram Inn, and that would be a better fit.

Besides it gave him a good excuse to stay in the Lower Town and not feel obliged to stay at the castle, which was was not a place he felt either comfortable or welcomed in, at least not until King Uther made some sort of pronouncement. The Lower Town, on the other hand, was someplace he felt more naturally at home, with the common folk and all milling about. He decided to leave his horse in the stables and wander about on foot.

It had turned out to be a fine day, especially for walking. He had passed through the market, stopping by several of the different vendor stalls located there. The various aromas and products were quite enticing he found, although he did not buy anything, unless it was some sample that they would give him. He was outfitted for travel and not for shopping. He made sure, though, if he was given a sample that he compensated the vendor.

He was dressed in his distinct red cloak that announced that he was a Knight of Camelot, so knowing that perception was important, he wanted to make sure that every impression that he left was a good one. He made his way, after eating a few samples, directly into the Lower Town, where he was sure to run through some interesting shoppes, he thought, as well as those that sold their goods directly on the street.

He saw what he thought was a young person, a young woman, who looked to be selling herbs, he thought. It took a certain type of courage, as well as salesmanship, to successfully make a go of that type of enterprise, alone, he thought.

After seeing her, and giving her a small nod of respect and acknowledgment, Lancelot turned to look through the shoppe window in front of him. He heard in the background the taps of feet crossing the cobblestones but didn't turn around, knowing he had nothing to fear here, but suddenly felt a tapping on his shoulder from below and a female voice inquiring something of him. "What .... no ..... a remedy. I am not physically ill, but thank you for asking. The remedy that I would seek is not for a physical ailment, so I doubt if there is much that can be done for me with any herbs you might have, though I appreciate the offer, milady."

[Lucy Halacre]

Lucy took in the appearance of the Camelot knight before her, and decided in her young adult kind of way that he was very handsome. Ruffled black hair and and a complimentary skin tone made him very attractive. And yet, he didn't look the happiest of men. He was in Camelot, a Knight, even, not hard on the eyes? What did he have to be worried or disappointed about? Perhaps some illness she could cure? The saleswoman within her perked up noticeably.

Her spirits fell at his words, there it was again. Rejection. Again. Maybe prosperity was good for Kings and most of the population, but for Lucy it was bad news. It meant the fall of trade. Without sickness, her own health was compromised. Listening to the rest of the Knight's words, Lucy frowned, now personally interested. The saleswoman inside her had rolled her eyes and taken a kip, the real Lucy was interested.

Woman trouble. Practically a certainty. That was the issue with the strong, silent types. They just couldn't stay away from trouble. And trouble in woman terms meant a broken heart, an affliction this Knight looked like he was suffering from.

Lucy bit her lip, "My herbs may not be able to help," She said, leading him over to a nearby bench to sit down, "But you'd be surprised at how helpful I can be. And that wasn't boasting," She added quickly, a flush rising along her neck.

Blast it all, why could she never keep her nose out of other peoples business. And just then she had practically implied she had magic! Would she never learn? What was she thinking?! Not forgetting he was a Knight of Camelot! A magic-destroying nation!

Lucy took a deep breath, calming herself down, like the druids had taught her, mentally soothing her mind. If she got caught...well, she'd always expected it to happen one day. Perhaps now, her number was up. And she'd take it willing. It would be her own fault, really.

Tagged: Lancelot
Word Count: 334
Notes: *cringe* Sorry for the horrendously low word count, on the horrible delay on this post. My muse has escaped the fantastically disgusting British weather to go and holiday in the Caribbean.

[Deleted]

Lancelot tried to pay careful attention to the image that he projected, and the impression he left with the local population. After all, for the time being at least, he was a Knight of Camelot, and he did not want to do anything that would embarrass Prince Arthur or give King Uther a reason to dismiss any or all of the new Knights. He did his best to return a friendly smile, even though his heart was not really in it. He saw that he young lady was observing him closely, as if she was trying to figure something out. He shrugged it off, though, as normal curiosity of a Knight.

He found her to be quite pretty, and he assumed that her appearance and winning smile to be quite an asset, as she was quite apparently interested in selling the herbs that she was presently hawking. He assumed, of course, that her real interest in him was as a potential customer. This was confirmed in his own mind by her facial reaction when he had indicated that he was not in need of what she was selling. He had said too much, he thought, in telling her that what he needed she was not likely to have.

His problems .... personal as they were were not likely to interest an absolute stranger. However, she did appear to show a glimmer of interest in her eyes when he had alluded to his ailment. He did not wish to appear rude, so he simply smiled, nodded in deference to her, and began to move on his way, without really having said an additional word.

As he began to turn away, after he had acknowledged her, he saw her bite her lip as if she was considering whether she should do something or not. And before he could take a full step she had reached out, grabbed one of his arms, and appeared to be edging him toward a bench. Lancelot was significantly larger and bigger than she was, so he could have easily prevented her from moving in that direction. However, he simply shrugged his shoulders in resignation as she began to speak.

He decided to listen to what she had to say. The implication in what she said was that she had no remedy for him, just some word. Great, he thought. A lecture from someone who had no idea about what his problems were! Again, though, he elected not to be rude. "Very well, I am willing to listen .... for a short time," he said as they sat down, noticing for the first time that her lower neck was somewhat pink.

"I am Sir Lancelot Du Lac, one of newly proclaimed Knights of Camelot. And you would be ..........?," he asked as an inquiry. Now that he had agreed to her implied request it seemed that she had difficulty having her eyes make contact with his pale blue ones. If she had no medicinal herbs for his ailment, what treatment did she propose, and did she have any idea at all what was truly bothering him?

It seemed that she was taking several long moments to collect herself. Was she going to realize her mistake, he wondered, and get up and run away from him, or did she really have a plan to help him. He was willing to waste some moments finding out, especially since it gave him the opportunity to look on quite a pretty creature, even though his heart would always belong to Gwen, and of course to Camelot. "Very well, and what do you suggest I do for my ailment ..... will simply sitting on a peaceful bench looking at a pretty young lady be enough to cure what ails me?"

[Lucy Halacre]

Sitting on the bench, Lucy started to realize just how much help he needed. He seemed to slouch as though the world, not just the responsibilities of a Knight, weighed on his shoulders. He also seemed grumpy and unwilling to talk about his problems. Although, considering he was a man, the latter really wasn’t that unusual. Still, she could still try to help. She knew most of the women in the City, and that was undoubtedly what was ailing him. Woman problems.

He consented to her help, and Lucy let a small smile creep onto her face. Perhaps it was due to her own slightly tragic past she liked to help and reassure others. For some reason, happy endings were so much better when one didn’t take them for granted, or even better, helped to contribute.

"I am Sir Lancelot Du Lac, one of newly proclaimed Knights of Camelot. And you would be ...?"

”Lucy Halacre, if it pleases you, Sir Lancelot of the Lake,” She bowed her head politely. Lucy had been brought up to respect all those higher than her in status, and a Knight had possibly earned more respect than a Noble. Knights worked hard for their titles. Particularly this one, it seemed. The new Knights were a source of much gossip amongst the peasants, it was said they were commoners who had fought loyally beside His Highness Prince Arthur to regain the Prince’s throne. Perhaps this Knight was more interesting than the standard burly, non-communicative noble Camelotian Knight.

"Very well, and what do you suggest I do for my ailment...will simply sitting on a peaceful bench looking at a pretty young lady be enough to cure what ails me?"

At least he was willing to listen to her. Sir Leon Griffiths, for example, she probably wouldn’t have approached, and he would have laughed at the idea of telling a herb girl his problems. At least this Lancelot had some sort of humour left within him, many of the pining men she met would not stop moaning most of the time.

”First, Sir Lancelot, I would like to know what exactly ails you, if you please. And just a side-note, I’m not here to be charmed. Just say your problem, and please God don’t tell me it’s man- flu.”

Tagged: Lancelot
Word Count: 383
Notes:

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This was quite different, Lancelot thought to himself. It did not matter whether one was an established and long-time Knight of Camelot, or one of the newer Knights, they were not the most approachable of persons. There seemed to be a respectful distance, or separation, that existed between them and the rest of the citizenry of Camelot. They were not prone to be talked to, let alone touched. And Lancelot was not one to be taken hold of and led .... by anyone. However, this young woman had no hesitation about taking him and leading him to this bench.

It was not that he necessarily minded the attention, though. It was easier here, too, in the Lower Town. If this had happened in the castle or the area around the castle he would have reacted differently, and her behavior had to be explained. Here, though, the atmosphere was more relaxed, and he was definitely not repulsed. It was easy, he found, to get used to a female's attention, even with the way he still felt about Gwen.

Her smile was one that made it easier to accept as well, and he had had no trouble introducing himself to her. Likewise, she had no trouble in identifying herself, without appearing to be forward in the least. He understood that she was a salesman of sorts, and was obviously more comfortable in dealing with absolute strangers than most.

"Lucy Halacre .... well .... that is an easy enough name upon the lips and quite agreeable as well. I think that most, including myself, would be pleased. So .... you would seem to have some knowledge of the French or Gaul language that my marks my family's origins." He then noted the slight bow of deference that she extended to him, so he of course, immediately returned it with friendly bow of his head, and a broad smile in return. She had handled his name quite well, but he did wonder and consider how much she knew about him and his history specifically. Even though he had just announced that he was one of the new Knights, she might still assume that he was some type of local noble.

The fact was, of course, was that he was not an English noble, but he had been told, when he was quite young that his family was of a noble line from Gaul, and that his father had served as a representative of the Dauphin of France in several royal courts. However, that was the distant past, and as the only surviving member of his family, it was as if that represented a different life and history, and not his. He chuckled slightly, now, surprised at the success at his own little attempt at humor. He tried to seriously consider what she had just said. If she was not offering her assistance through herbs, what could she be referring to? In some ways he found her choice of words as curious as he often had found Merlin's.

She was definitely a most curious female he thought,and quite easy on the eyes, and so easy and tempting to talk to, it seemed. She did, at any rate, seem to be quite curious about his problems. He might, in ordinary circumstances, be willing to talk to her about them. However, what could she hope to do, cast a spell on Prince Arthur and Gwen, and solve his problems, magically? No, given the people involved there was much he could not reveal, anyway.

"No, Lucy, it is not that severe of a problem .... nothing that I won't get over eventually. Simply put, it involves someone I lost my heart to. I willingly refused to stand between her and a ..... friend. Now .... they are truly in love and nearly one, and there is nothing I can do but watch. It is not an unusual or an uncommon story, I know. But that doesn't make it easier for me. I just need to find a way to go on." He the laughed at her comment. "Well .... that 's good. I am a fair Knight, but not much of a charmer."

[Lucy Halacre]

The man seemed a little startled about the way Lucy had just taken him to a bench like she had, but that was just the way the girl operated. Strangers were her friends, that was her first rule when it came to selling. Everyone who knew her was used to being suddenly approached by the girl as if they were the best of friends. People gave them odd looks as they passed; Lucy supposed they had never really seen a Knight and a Commoner chatting easily in broad daylight before.

"Thank you sir. I have been educated by..."Lucy paused. She couldn't exactly tell the man she had been taught some simple language by the Druids, "I am a little better educated than most of the commoners in this fine city, sir."

It really was a miracle she had never been caught or betrayed as a magic user. But then again, Uther’s Knights and guards really weren’t the most efficient of men. Really, considering Camelot was supposed to be a majestic city, the security of the place was worse than cow dung! The amount of times Lucy had snuck out after dark to visit her druid friends was abominable, really, and she wouldn’t be surprised if others did the same. It wasn’t really fair to tar this Knight with the same brush though. He looked like a decent sort, something unusual in any of Uther’s men.

He smiled at her, and Lucy had to catch herself before she slipped into the depths of complete unprofessionalism. Not before she grinned back widely though. Gods, he did have a nice smile. It was a shame he was obviously after some woman, or Lucy would be deeply flattered by now and on her way to seeing him in a different light. But his problems needed solving, and the real question was how to do it? Magic was out, way out, and so were herbs. She could try to talk to the girl in question, but that was unlikely to work. Lucy tried to keep her nose out of other people’s business.

Then he explained his problem and Lucy’s heart went out to the man. He obviously truly loved this girl; it was obvious in the way he spoke and the look in his eyes. As he talked, Lucy took the opinion that the girl involved really loved the man she had, or she needed some serious counselling. What woman wouldn’t want this man?

”Of course it doesn’t make it easier for you, Lancelot, what love story was ever easy?” She informed him, ”But I promise, you’re doing the right thing by leaving her alone. One day, you’ll find the right person too, someone who loves and appreciates you as much as you deserve to be. You can find the way, you’re a strong man. I can tell. However not-charming you may be.”
She threw in a smile with the last comment, to show she was only joking.

Tagged: Lancelot
Word Count: 496

[Deleted]

Lancelot was not one who was familiar with many of the social niceties and the etiquette of knighthood, with the rest of the population. True he was well aware of the need to always act with honor and realize that his first duty was to the kingdom and its inhabitants. Normally that required a certain amount of separation from people, and a natural dignity. However, this one-on-one interaction was something he was unfamiliar with. She actually took him by the arm and led him to the bench, where she so much as directed him to sit down.

Was this normal? He didn't think so. He gathered as much by the looks that they were receiving ..... that she was receiving mainly .... from passers-by. However, he did get the feeling that this was just a normal characteristic of her personality. He expected that her everyday acquaintances just accepted this part of her personality. So, he just decided to give her a relatively broad smile in response.

She seemed to have a ready response for his comment about her knowledge of the meaning of his surname. He thought that was quite unusual for a commoner, for a peasant, at least in his experience, limited though it was. It almost seemed like she was about to say something, and then changed her mind, and said something else. That seemed strange to Lancelot, since she seemed to be one who told you what she thought .... exactly ..... not one who measured words like a diplomat or a courtesan.

"Hmmmm .... so it would seem .... so it would seem. Yes .... yes .... Camelot is a fine place, as long we Knights do our job well. And how did you you come upon this education .... were they the same who taught you the art of peddling your wares as well," he questioned. He wondered, now, for the first time really, what her opinion ... her real opinion ..... of the Knights of Camelot was. His only impressions here at first were apparent helpfulness, which he thought, could simply be the peddler in her, and the easy way she had returned his smile. Hers, he thought, was quite infectious, and he expected she made friends easily, which undoubtedly was helpful in selling her wares.

Still, she did seem to want to be at least somewhat helpful in solving his problem. He, of course did not look at it as a problem to be solved, but simply as a fact of life. The thing that he had not realized, however, was how obvious it was that he had a problem to be solved. He had to a better job, he now reasoned, as a Knight, to shield others from his true feelings.

He had, of course, kept his comments and facts as general as possible, so that it would be easy to shield the identities of both Arthur and Gwen. It wouldn't hurt not to mention Merlin either, since it wouldn't take a wild leap of imagination to go from him to the two lovers, Lancelot surmised. Why did life always have to be so complicated when you mixed with others, he wondered. Life was simpler on the road when he was alone or with someone like Percival.


"No .... it is never easy .... but its never easy when it involves me it seems," he smiled.
"Yes, I knew as soon as I found out he was interested in her what I must do. It was not easy, but it had to be done. It was the right thing. No .... no .... I do not expect to find another. She was the right person for me and there will be no other. Its just that she will be better off with him. That is what is the most clear. It has nothing to do with strength. And they don't pay Knights to be charming, just to be good at what they do, and what we are supposed to is protect."

Since his answer was so serious, and he knew that she was probably joking, he gave her a quick smile to let her know he had not taken her comment as an insult. So, he asked her,
"and how much longer were you looking at selling your goods.? Would you like to get something to eat, or must you continue with your work?," he asked, waiting for a response from the rather energetic girl. He wasn't really expecting a positive response, but knowing he needed to be polite in his dealings with the citizens of Camelot, if he hoped to be accepted by them someday.

[Lucy Halacre]

She waited in anticipation to see if he’d note the slight change in her answer. It was such a small thing it seemed almost insignificant, but she could tell by his face that he had picked up on it; had probably wondered why she had decided not to tell him exactly who or what educated her. She smiled easily, as if shrugging the whole thing off, before she gave him her quickly thought-up answer.

”It has always been a fine place, Sir Lancelot, or at least, as fine as it can be,” Lucy said enigmatically, ”My family are simple folk, sir, but they know things. Knowledge is far more valuable than an extravagant way of life.”

It was the truth, in a roundabout sort of way. Lucy was as honest as a person could be when she had the secret of her magic to protect, but she also was very interested in self-preservation. The things she told people were not lies as such, but she phrased them in such a way that people jumped to a very ordinary conclusion. Take what she had just told Lancelot. Her family were simple, she had said. That was true enough. She considered the druids her family; not able to remember her real parents and sibling. The druids lived in tents, at peace with nature. They were truly simple folk, with an immense power through their knowledge of the world around them. It did not necessarily mean they were magical, though most were, and it certainly did not mean they were dangerous.

”I prefer to think of my peddling as optional immunisation, sir. But no, I did not learn that from my educators, my family. They believe in healing for nothing, healing because it is within their power to do so. I share this opinion, but unfortunately one has to make one’s living.”

This came straight from the heart, there was no need to shield this. She disliked asking for payment, but it had to be done if she wanted to be around to heal for a long time yet. Anyway, her own life was not important at the moment. Lucy wanted to listen to the Knights problem, not just because she found it interesting but because she wished to help. She’d been right about the girl problems, but this Knight needed to be brought back from his depression. He had a job to do, and it was her duty as a citizen to make sure he wasn’t mooning for his love on patrol.

Lucy had her own experience with lax Knights, and while she took advantage of that, she wouldn’t want anyone else to. Anyone dangerous like evil sorcerers and suchlike. Camelot had a long-standing problem with break-ins and even break-outs. She herself had been leaving and entering Camelot in the dead of night every fortnight or so for four years or so.

She listened to the man with sympathy. She knew how cruel life could be, and it seemed this young Knight had drawn the short straw. At least he had displayed the chivalry that men of his position needed to. He had stepped back, and that must have taken great force and willpower.

”I understand, Lancelot, and I’m sure it must be hard to picture loving anybody else. But I happen to believe in the right person for all of us, and if these two are so right together, then there must be somebody out there for you too.”

She smiled gently at him, hoping this would convince and reassure him. His was an unfortunately common story, but most people recovered from such an event and moved on to find someone else. She could only hope that could happen for him too.

”Hmm,” She mused, ”Well my lunch depends on these beauties, but if I eat with you, that’s irrelevant. I’m sure I can sell more herbs to people who’ve had a bit too much to drink anyway.”

Tagged: Lancelot
Words: 659

[Deleted]

Lancelot listened to her answer quite carefully. He almost did a double-take at her answer. She had stopped .... but why? Did she not want to identify a particular person, since he was Knight of Camelot? Or was it because what they were teaching. He knew that normally he might be expected to ask her some direct questions. However, he had just met the girl, and he had no interest in driving her off just yet.

He did notice that she took great pains in changing the subject that they had just been discussing, as it moved from her history, specifically, to Camelot, generally. "As a fine a place as it can be? I had always thought that the Pendragons have always done a good job at making Camelot the jewel that it is, especially against those who would disturb the .... uh .... natural order." He watched carefully, now, to see what her reaction to his words would be.

Lancelot nodded slowly at her description of 'simple folk', but also had a questioning look on his face. "Exactly what are these things that they knew. Yes ... yes ... I think have knowledge and wisdom is more important than letting people know what you have .... to make them envious. My family, for example is of noble roots in another land, but we lived simply here." Lancelot thought back to his family, his biological family. They had, for the most part been simple farmers. However, now that he thought back about it, and especially about his father, he remembers a sadness about him .... a regret. He remembered now about the evenings that his father would stand at a fence-rail and be looking off in the distance, as if he was thinking of another place and time.

Was it perhaps a twinge of regret over something he had done or left un-done. Lancelot would never know. However, it taught him not to take anything for granted that you had the opportunity to change for the better, now. He also thought about another family, Merlin, and perhaps even Merlin's mentor. Lancelot knew that Merlin was a practitioner of magic. Whether Gaius was Lancelot did not know. Uther, and to a lesser extent, he knew, Arthur believed that magic was no good, evil in fact. However, Merlin did not use it for evil, but only for good, or at least good intentions. Did that make the King wrong? Could the King ever be wrong? The subject was too deep for Lancelot right now, and surely she was not referring to such things.

However, her conversation did eventually bend back to what they had discussed a little while ago .... where she had learned what she had learned. "Power? .... Healing Power? Did they have a special type of healing power, then?" He didn't really expect her to answer, but she did answer more completely than he thought she would. The thing that he didn't quite understand was, once she knew that he wasn't really interested in buying anything that she was selling, why she was taking time out of her day to talk to him. And it wasn't that she was simply taking time out for him, but she had purposely led him over to this bench to talk. He waited to hear what she had to explain about this Healing Power that she had just up. Did she really think it existed. He had a strong feeling tat she did believe in it.

He had to admit, though, that she was concerned, about him. And she did not know anything close to the full story, and who was involved. She did not know any of the particulars, and yet, she seemed to know and understand the pain that it had put him through, and the struggles he was, even at this late date, experiencing.

At her last statement he smiled, and said, "so ..... you are one of those optimistic types, who sees the best in everyone or every situation, or at least their potential. I used to be like that more than I am now. i have seen too much of the world ..... of death and suffering ...... both the guilty and the innocent ..... of what the darker sides of human nature allows us to be. I would like to think there is that brighter future down the road for me, but I'm afraid all that I see for now is the higher duty to Camelot and the Pendragons than anything I see for myself."

Much to his surprise,she did indeed accept his offer of lunch. He had no idea what a lovely young girl would see in him, but he was not about to let the opportunity slip by either. "Well, now that you have agreed to the general concept, what and where would you like to eat," he said, smiling broadly, not believing his good fortune. "I'm sure that you could sell to anyone with the ears to hear," he said, waiting to hear where she wanted to go.