<i> “Hello Short---my name is Kamryn and I’m happy to meet a fellow traveler. A cup of hot tea sounds heavenly at the moment---the bitter cold outside has crept far into my bones.”</i><br/><br/>"It is a pleasure to meet you, Kamryn. That is a beautiful name," Short responded. He thought about doffing his hat again, but decided against it. He realized he had doffed twice since her arrival, and didn't want to overdo it, which he probably had done already. "Remember," he said to himself, "first impressions are important, so don't screw this up." He nodded to himself in agreement.<br/><br/>Realizing he had been lost in thought, he snapped back to alertness. "It is cold outside, and you must be cold. Let me stoke up the fire." He walked to the fireplace and poked the fire with his staff. The he put another log on the fire, poked it a bit more, and then turned to Kamyrn. "That should help warm you up.  And a hot cup of tea will help as well."<br/><br/>Short went to the kitchen and brewed a pot of tea. Then finding the good china, he put the pot and two teacups on a tray.  He rummaged around for some sugar and lemon, and put that on the tray as well.<br/><br/>He hoped he was doing it correctly. Usually his trips to the kitchen were for beer. But it seemed to look okay. To him at least.<br/><br/>He carried the tray into the main room, stepping over the unconscious man, whose face was still in the plate of baked goods. Setting the tray on a nearby table, he said, "It is a pity the man ruined the muffins." He poured a cup of tea for Kamryn and himself and handed her the cup resting on the saucer.<br/><br/><i>“So you have recently come here hmm? Enjoying yourself?”</i><br/><br/>"Yes, I have recently come here. And it is a wonderful and amazing place," he said sipping his tea. "The fellow travelers I have met have shown me great kindness and hospitality. It is a wonderful place."<br/><br/>Enjoying the silence that ensued as they drank their tea, Short realized that an unconscious man laying in the middle of the floor was not making a good impression on his guest. "Excuse me a minute," he said as he picked up the man under his arms and dragged him off into a side room.<br/><br/>Coming back into the main room, Short said, "can I pour you some more tea?" Or perhaps we can look about this house some. I have been here a short time myself and haven't been anywhere except here and the kitchen. Or if you choose to sit and warm yourself by the fire, that is fine as well."<br/>