“Do they bury kings by the side of rivers, sir?”
“In the old time they did, and on the tops of mountains; they burnt their bodies to ashes, placed them in pots and raised heaps of earth or stones over them. Heaps like this have frequently been opened, and found to contain pots with ashes and bones.”
“I wish all English could speak Welsh, sir.”
“Why?”
“Because then we poor Welsh who can speak no English could learn much which we do not know.”
Descending the monticle, we walked along the road together. After a little time I asked my companion of what occupation he was and where he lived.
“I am a small farmer, sir,” said he, “and live at Llansanfraid Glyn Dyfrdwy across the river.”
“How comes it,” said I, “that you do not know English?”
“When I was young,” said he, “and could have easily learnt it, I cared nothing about it, and now that I am old and see its use, it is too late to acquire it.”
“Of what religion are you?” said I.