“I want a supper and a bed-chamber.”
Floc’h drew first his pipe from his mouth, and then his hat from his head, and answered,
“God bless you, sir, a supper you shall have; but as to a room, we cannot give it you; for we have now above, six muleteers on their way home to Redon, who have taken all the beds of the White Inn.”
The traveller then said,
“For God’s sake, my good man, contrive for me to sleep somewhere. The very dogs have a kennel, and it is not fitting that Christians be without a bed in such weather as this.”
“Sir stranger,” said the host remorsefully, “I can only tell you that the inn is full, and we have no place for you but the red room.”
“Well, give me that,” replied the stranger.
But the landlord rubbed his forehead and looked grieved; for he could not let the traveller sleep in the red chamber.
“Since I have been at the White Inn,” said he at last, “only two men have ever occupied that room; and on the morrow, black as had been their hair the night before, they rose with it snow-white.”
The traveller looked full at the landlord.