Good News, Bad News and Hide Glue

Henry: Hartley Clock Restoration, Henry speaking. Isla: Hello. I dropped off my grandfather's mantel clock in the spring, and somebody left a message saying there'd been a development. I've been playing telephone tag ever since. Henry: Ah yes, forgive us. I'm afraid the development is both good news and bad. The good news is that the mechanism itself is in remarkably fine fettle. It hadn't been touched in decades, but it was beautifully made, and it needed little more than a clean and a new spring. Isla: And the bad news? Henry: The bad news concerns the case. When we removed the back panel, we found it had been repaired at some stage with modern glue, and the veneer has begun to lift. Restoring it properly would mean using hide glue, as it would have been originally, and that takes considerably longer. Isla: How much longer, and how much more? I should say I was quoted two hundred and fifty pounds for everything. Henry: That figure covered the mechanism, and it still stands. The case would be a further one hundred and eighty, give or take. I'd be reluctant to cut corners, but it's entirely your decision. We could simply leave the case as it is, and the clock would run beautifully. Isla: It's tempting to leave it, but my grandfather was rather proud of that case. Do it properly. When would it be ready? Henry: Three weeks, perhaps four. The glue can't be hurried. Isla: That's fine. Could you send photographs of the work as it progresses? My family would love to see it. Henry: With pleasure.