The hesitance was understandable. Sharing one's hardest struggles was never an easy thing to do, even with a man sworn to secrecy from everyone but God. For all his careful, practiced calm, Malachi was visibly pleased with the constable's answer.

"There's no need to thank me," came his easy response. "It's what I'm here for."

With a turn of his head, his eyes found Nettie, without a bag but no longer without a place to stay. The boarding house would be good for her (or so he hoped), whether she ended up staying long-term or, if she liked Whitby enough, found a proper place of her own later on.

"I'm glad. And I'm happy that you like the place, too," said Malachi, with a smaller smile directed both towards his niece and the constable.

"Forgive us for pulling you away from your work, but we appreciate your time, constable. I do hope the rest of your day goes well."