"Are you going to Arras?" the road-mender continued.
"Yes."
"If you go at that pace, you will not reach it very soon."
He stopped his horse, and asked the road-mender—,
"How far is it from here to Arras?"
"Nearly seven long leagues."
"How so? The post-book says only five and a quarter leagues."
"Ah" the road-mender continued, "you do not know that the road is under repair; you will find it cut up about a mile farther on, and it is impossible to pass."
"Indeed!"
"You must take the road on the left, that runs to Carency, and cross the river; when you reach Camblin you will turn to the right, for it is the Mont St. Eloy road that runs to Arras."