“Can you please tell me, is it far to Limesia?” he asked.
“Eh?” said the man, putting his hand to his ear.
“Is it far to Limesia, please?” repeated Boy.
“Ay! that’s what I told her!” said the old man, shaking his head, “but she would put the onions into it. I told her the gentlefolks would be sure not to like’em.”
“You don’t understand me,” shouted Boy; “I want to know the way to Limesia.”
“I dare say they have, I dare say they have,” replied the old man; “use is no odds in these parts, sir.”
“Oh dear me!” thought Boy, “he’s dreadfully deaf; I shall never make him hear, I am afraid;” and he was just going to walk away when he saw an old woman in a red cloak hobbling towards them with the aid of a crooked stick.
“My husband is very deaf,” she said, “and cannot hear a word you say. Can I do anything for you, sir?”
“Oh, I was only asking the way to Limesia,” said Boy.
“Why, you can’t go there to-night!” said the woman; “it’s ever so far; you had better stay at our cottage till the morning.”