“Can you tell me the name of a river,” said I, “which I have left about a mile behind me? Is it the Sawdde?”
“Nage,” said he. “It is the Lleidach.”
Then looking at me with great curiosity he asked me if I came from the north country.
“Yes,” said I, “I certainly come from there.”
“I am glad to hear it,” said he, “for I have long wished to see a man from the north country.”
“Did you never see one before?” said I.
“Never in my life,” he replied: “men from the north country seldom show themselves in these parts.”
“Well,” said I; “I am not ashamed to say that I come from the north.”
“Ain’t you? Well, I don’t know that you have any particular reason to be ashamed, for it is rather your misfortune than your fault; but the idea of any one coming from the north—ho, ho!”
“Perhaps in the north,” said I, “they laugh at a man from the south.”