(no subject)

From Hodge in Upminster:

Wotcher, Wags!

What's the best familiar for a pedlar to keep?

Needin a new familiar, now. You know that loads o roadmen keep cats--so they'll always have a bit o meat for the soup pot, I reckon, what with the mice, an rats, an birds it'll bring in. But fer my dosh, I'd say a raven's best. Or a hawk if yeh've got the skill to tame 'er. Hawk'll hunt fer yeh, too. But a raven'll keep yer watch, an that's worth more'n anythin, innit, Hodge?

Fer the rest of yeh: keep sendin yer letters. It may take yer bird a while to find me, but it makes friendly readin of an evenin to hear from yeh!