"But I was cold and hungry, and might have fainted by the way."
His manner of saying this touched the farmer's feelings a little.
"You have warmed and fed me, for which I am thankful. Will you now bestow another act of kindness upon one in a strange place, who if he goes out into the darkness, may lose himself and perish in the cold?"
The particular form in which this request was made, and the tone in which it was uttered, put it out of the farmer's heart to say no.
"Go in there and sit down," he answered, pointing to the kitchen, "and I will see my wife and hear what she says."
And Mr. W. went into the parlor where the supper table stood, covered with snow-white cloth, and displaying his wife's set of blue-sprigged china, that was brought out only on special occasions.
The tall mold candles were burning thereon, and on the hearth blazed a cheerful fire.
"Hasn't that old fellow gone yet?" asked Mrs. W. She heard his voice as he returned from the door.
"No, and what do you suppose, he wants us to let him stay all night."
"Indeed, we will do no such thing. We cannot have the likes of him in the house now. Where could he sleep?"