More than anything Mister Tully had shared with him thus far, the swift agreement pleased Malachi. The lack of questioning involved, too, only added to the jovial mood he'd slipped seamlessly into.

"Of course," came his easy assurance. "So long as you do what I ask of you, I will give you whatever you'd like."

Malachi tilted his head, opposing the beggar's upright stance.

Without a glance down to the pot, he inquired, "...how long are you going to keep stirring that?"