“O, as you are here,” said the farmer-landlord, “I hope you will stay. I should be very sorry if any gentleman should leave my house at night after coming with an intention of staying, more especially in a night like this. Martha!” said he, turning to a female between thirty and forty, who I subsequently learned was the mistress—“prepare the parlour instantly for this gentleman, and don’t fail to make up a good fire.”
Martha forthwith hurried away, attended by a much younger female.
“Till your room is prepared, sir,” said he, “perhaps you will have no objection to sit down before our fire?”
“Not in the least,” said I; “nothing gives me greater pleasure than to sit before a kitchen fire. First of all, however, I must settle with my guide, and likewise see that he has something to eat and drink.”
“Shall I interpret for you?” said the landlord; “the lad has not a word of English; I know him well.”
“I have not been under his guidance for the last three hours,” said I, “without knowing that he cannot speak English; but I want no interpreter.”
“You do not mean to say, sir,” said the landlord, with a surprised and dissatisfied air, “that you understand Welsh?”
I made no answer, but turning to the guide, thanked him for his kindness, and giving him some money, asked him if that was enough.
“More than enough, sir,” said the lad; “I did not expect half as much. Farewell!”
He was then about to depart, but I prevented him, saying: