Not enough to make them rise or relinquish support, but interest, nevertheless.
"Hello, Shad!" hailed one.

"Home again, be you ?" "Pretty big funeral, was it ?" drawled another.
"Who's that you got aboard ?" queried a third.
Captain Shadrach did not answer.

Mr.Hamilton leaned forward.

"Where's Annabel ?" he asked.
"She's inside," replied the first questioner.

"Want to see her?
Hi, Jabe," turning his head and addressing one of the group nearest the door, "tell Annabel, Zoeth and Shad's come." "Jabe," who was propped against a post, languidly pushed himself away from it, opened the door behind him and shouted: "Annabel, come out here!" Then he slouched back and leaned against the post again.
The door opened and a stout, red-faced young woman appeared.