"Lost your key ma'am?"
"No, not me key. Me pan!"
"It's always sat there empty, this hut. That is, till the night afore the battle. A man arrived, walked right in like 'were his own. Was standin' at me window, peerin' at the goin's-on.... He must've eyed me, 'cause next I knew, there he was, comin' my way!"
"So, I grabbed me pan - for protection, see. But he just asks all polite, "Gran, got any birch bark, by chance? Lilac berries, or even a few coals?" Nay, says I! And you must be right daft to pester folk at night with such foolery!'""
"But I sees he ain't listenin'. Just starin' at me pan, like a magpie at a copper! "Lend it to me gran, I'll give it back come morn." Was right baffled, for what's he doin' fryin' in the dark? But I've got a soft 'eart, so I gave it to 'im."

"Interesting... then what happened?"

"Afore dawn, another rode up to the hut. But come morn, only the first fellow left. Locked the door, hopped on his horse, and that were all I saw of him - and me pan! 'Twere old, black with soot, not worth much, I 'spose - but I've no other!"
"Will you 'elp me, dearie? Bring an ol' widow her pan? I could never break down that door meself... And in truth I'm afeared to go in anyroad. Such a stench waftin' out. Methinks the other fellow... well, that he's lyin' there.""

"Never taken on a pan contract... Fine, I'll go in, look around."