"Ef so be you'm in a hurry you need'n go, cos Farmer's drivin' mare to market."
"We'd like to get there in daylight," said Guy, gravely.
"Sartinly;" and then the man gathered himself together for a supreme effort. "You do go through meadow-close, and plain-close, and then into high-lane, and volly on, an' there you be, sure."
"But where is meadow-close?"
"Oh, back along."
"But where?"
"Back along to stile."
"Thanks very much, my good man, and may your shadow never grow less."
We left the man apparently wondering what sort of animals there were at large who didn't know the way to Church-town. Gradually he unbent himself, and went back to prop up the hedge.