"Who can say?" Eleanor says with a sigh. "I've tried to talk to him a few times. I'll have his attention for maybe a minute before he gets distracted." She shakes her head haplessly. "I can see why Master Ambrose is so particular with whom he hires. I can just imagine what would happen if any of us had less patience." Reaching out she pats Ruth on the shoulder. "Ye've got yerself a kind heart though. Here darling." Eleanor pulls out the bowl of stew, tops it up and then hands it to her. "You eat up first, then you can concentrate on him. Perhaps if you are really insistent he'll eat the whole meal."