He looked more shifty and slippery than usual, but his manner was bland, even deferential, when he spoke.
"Good evening, Miss Radford! Nice thaw, ain't it?
but a bit rapid.
How's 'Dook ?" Katherine winced.

Of course every man at Roaring Water Portage and Seal Cove called every other man by his Christian name, and she had always been used to hearing "'Duke", but nevertheless it grated horribly, so her manner was a trifle more haughty than usual when she announced that her father was not so well, although she did not choose to inform this man that he was very ill.
"Well, well, poor chap, he don't seem to get on fast, no, that he don't.

It's downright lucky for him that he's got sech a bright gal as you to look after things.

He is a smart sight better off than I should have been under the circumstances;" and Oily Dave struck an attitude of respectful admiration, leering at Katherine from his half-closed eyes.
"What do you wish, for to-night ?" she asked coldly.
"A good many things, my supper most of all, for I've had nothing but a mouthful of biscuit all day.

But I shall have to wait for that till I get back to Seal Cove, and then I shall have to cook it myself, for that swell lodger of mine ain't no good about a house," said Oily Dave, with a shake of his head.
Katherine put her hand to her throat with a quick movement, to check a hysterical desire for laughter.