"I'm a-goin' to Crest Mount, sir; goin' after a page's place up at the squire's. I'm to see him at ten sharp to-morrow mornin', and I couldn't do this unless I slept here to-night, for I comes from beyond Ponderton. Else I don't care for takin the road Sunday, and wouldn't have done it, if I could anyways manage different."
"Dear me!" said Tad to himself. "How nat'ral and easy all that pretty little tale sounded!"
The landlord seemed to think so too, for his face lost its stern expression, and he said:
"Oh, that's it, is it? But Crest Mount is a goodish way, even from here; a matter of five mile or so."
"Oh, I don't mind a walk, sir," said Tad, "and I shall be rested by to-morrow."
"Well now," said Tony Robson, "I take it you don't want nothin' very expensive in the way of supper and bed, do you?"
"No, sir, I haven't got much money, and I can't afford anything but the cheapest."
"It's too late to cook you anything, and the wife's gone to bed, but you can have a slice of ham and a cut of the home-made loaf, and a pint mug of milk. Will that do for supper?"
"Oh dear yes, sir, thank you," replied Tad.
"And as for a bed, what do you say to a good shakedown of clean hay in the loft? It's sweet and wholesome, and you won't have to pay nothin' for it, so that'll leave you able to afford a bit of breakfast in the mornin'. My dame shall give you a good bowl of oatmeal and milk afore you start off for Crest Mount."