Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?

Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?

Why we should not talk while eating ?

Discuss the following in groups of four. Each group can deal with one topic. Present the views of your group to the whole class. The reader's sympathy is with the peddler right from the beginning of the story. Why is this so? Is the sympathy justified?

Why are we advised not to talk while eating food ?