After I had seated myself by the fire, and the driver had gone out to stow the horse away under the tumble-down shed at the back of the house, the elder woman said to me,—
'Reckon yer wet. Ben in the rain?'
'Yes, madam, we've been out most of the day, and got in the river below here.'
'Did ye? Ye mean the "run." I reckon it's right deep now.'
'Yes, the horse had to swim for it,' I replied.
'Ye orter strip and put on dry cloes to onst.'
'Thank you, madam, I will.'
Going to my portmanteau, which the darky had placed near the door, I found it dripping with wet, and opening it, discovered that every article in it had undergone the rite of total immersion.
'Everything is thoroughly soaked, madam. I shall have to dry myself by your fire. Can you get me a cup of tea?'
'Right sorry, stranger, but I can't. Hain't a morsel to eat or drink in the house.'