Un the instant the rumble of talk ceased, but it was not until Martin had repeated his question that a man came to the door, a whitefaced, underfed fellow, whose sinewy arms were naked to the shoulders. Without replying he leaned against the door, half within the house and half without, eyeing us and our horses critically.
"Does your master lodge there to-night?" he asked at last, lounging forward to the middle of the street that he might examine us the better.
Before Martin could answer, saying, perhaps more than was wise, I cut in with a curt, "Yes." But his curiosity was still unsatisfied.
"And are there many more of you?"
"My friend, we asked a question."
"And I another."
"You are impertinent."
"And you a dolt! What hedgerow bred you? Don't you see the place might not have room for you all? Are there more of you?"
"No."
"Then your master has the fewer clods. How far have you ridden to-day?"