Elijah politely refused as he never smoked. "Rose is a spirited girl, she should be able to take care of herself. And I know the man she is working for, I've never had a complaint about him and he seems like he is nice enough to women. Works hard and keeps to himself usually. He does law stuff so we have to meet up a lot for both of our jobs. So I'm not worried, if he dared to try something to her, I would go after him tooth and nail. I don't care how much money someone has or if they threaten me. You know that."

"A lawyer..." That information seemed important, but Ben had too much on his mind to put different pieces of information together. He knew he didn't like their lot. "I'm glad to hear he's alright. But its his friends and family I worry about. And Rose... she can get these notions..."

Elijah smiled weakly. "She can always speak to either of us if something bothers her. And like I said, I come by his place usually once a week or so. If I see her in any distress, I will check up on them. But she has seemed quite happy so far."

Ben nodded. "Thanks Elijah." As long as men didn't make her happy and pregnant.

Elijah nodded and smiled weakly. "Of course. I keep an eye out for you all the best I can."

Bram burst in, running on bare feet. "I found a puppy!"

Ben jumped a little. Sometimes Bram was a little more energetic than Ben's wreck of a body could handle. There had been a time living among shouting children had been normal. He had carried around all these children on his shoulders and back, and he used to play wrestle with Tom and Simon when they were kids, and he had chased them more than once when they had done mischief. Bram had the misfortune (or fortune) of being the last of ten children. "Easy, Bram. You leave that pup where it is." It wasn't the first time Bram had attempted to bring home animals. Ben feared that one day he was going to stop killing fish and bring them home as pets instead.

Elijah rose his brow at Ben then smiled at Bram. "That's wonderful. Though your dad might be right. The dog might have an owner or still be with its mom if its too little. But I'm sure it is happy to have you give it attention. Dogs love good kids."

Bram pouted. "It was all by itself. And it looks dirty. I don't think anyone is lookin' after it. Oh please, father, can I keep it? It can protect us when it's grown up!" And he could set it on anyone trying to bully him, but he didn't say that.

"No, Bram." Ben said wearily. "Go get your brother and sister, to come in for the night, and don't you touch that pup."