“Yes,” said I; “it is rather cold out abroad, but I don’t care as I am not going any farther to-night.”
“That’s not my case,” said the stout man, “I have got to go ten miles, as far as Cerrig Drudion, from which place I came this afternoon in a wehicle.”
“Do you reside at Cerrig Drudion?” said I.
“No,” said the stout man, whose dialect I shall not attempt further to imitate, “but I have been staying there some time; for happening to go there a month or two ago I was tempted to take up my quarters at the inn. A very nice inn it is, and the landlady a very agreeable woman, and her daughters very agreeable young ladies.”
“Is this the first time you have been at Bala?”
“Yes, the first time. I had heard a good deal about it, and wished to see it. So to-day, having the offer of a vehicle at a cheap rate, I came over with two or three other gents, amongst whom is Doctor Jones.”
“Dear me,” said I, “is Doctor Jones in Bala?”
“Yes,” said the stout man. “Do you know him?”
“Oh yes,” said I, “and have a great respect for him; his like for politeness and general learning is scarcely to be found in Britain.”
“Only think,” said the stout man. “Well, I never heard that of him before.”