"These are not the days for sleeping in"  Thomas said with a snort, watching as the carriage pulled off before starting down the road again now alongside John.  "Familys good, loud and large as ever so not much changing there.  So far they've been clear of the trouble, hoping it'll stay that way."  He was quiet for a bit as if brooding on how to make sure it did stay that way, but then seemed to shake off the troublesome thoughts for lighter conversation.  "How's your dear wife?  Still mad at me for breaking her chair?  I swear I meant it when I said I'd replace it, even though she called me a liar.  I wouldn't go back on that promise!" Thomas added this last part quickly as an after thought, that easy grin sliding across his face despite the hurriedness of his remark.