"Satisfied！ofcourse。Lor’，yougorgies！Brother，Igotomyhusbandandmyhouse。"And，thereupon，Ursularoseanddeparted。
　　AfterwaitingalittletimeIalsoarose；itwasnowdark，andIthoughtIcoulddonobetterthanbetakemyselftothedingle；attheentranceofitIfoundMr。Petulengro。"Well，brother，"saidhe，"whatkindofconversationhaveyouandUrsulahadbeneaththehedge？"
　　"Ifyouwishedtohearwhatweweretalkingabout，youshouldhavecomeandsatdownbesideus；youknewwherewewere。"
　　"Well，brother，Ididmuchthesame，forIwentandsatdownbehindyou。"
　　"Behindthehedge，Jasper？"
　　"Behindthehedge，brother。"
　　"Andheardallourconversation。"
　　"Everyword，brother；andarumconversationitwas。"
　　"’Tisanoldsaying，Jasper，thatlistenersneverhearanygoodofthemselves；perhapsyouheardtheepithetthatUrsulabestoweduponyou。"
　　"If，byepitaph，youmeanthatshecalledmealiar，Idid，brother，andshewasnotmuchwrong，forIcertainlydonotalwaysstickexactlytotruth；you，however，havenotmuchtocomplainofme。"
　　"YoudeceivedmeaboutUrsula，givingmetounderstandshewasnotmarried。"
　　"ShewasnotmarriedwhenItoldyouso，brother；thatis，nottoSylvester；norwasIawarethatshewasgoingtomarryhim。Ioncethoughtyouhadakindofregardforher，andI
　　amsureshehadasmuchforyouasaRomanychicanhaveforagorgio。Ihalfexpectedtohaveheardyoumakelovetoherbehindthehedge，butIbegintothinkyoucarefornothinginthisworldbutoldwordsandstrangestories。Lor’totakeayoungwomanunderahedge，andtalktoherasyoudidtoUrsula；andyetyougoteverythingoutofherthatyouwanted，withyourgammonaboutoldFulcherandMeridiana。
　　Youareacunningone，brother。"
　　"Thereyouaremistaken，Jasper。Iamnotcunning。IfpeoplethinkIam，itisbecause，beingmadeupofartthemselves，simplicityofcharacterisapuzzletothem。
　　Yourwomenarecertainlyextraordinarycreatures，Jasper。"
　　"Didn’tIsaytheywererumanimals？Brother，weRomansshallalwayssticktogetheraslongastheystickfasttous。"
　　"Doyouthinktheyalwayswill，Jasper？"
　　"Can’tsay，brother；nothinglastsforever。RomanychiesareRomanychiesstill，thoughnotexactlywhattheyweresixtyyearsago。Mywife，thougharumone，isnotMrs。
　　Herne，brother。IthinksheisratherfondofFrenchmenandFrenchdiscourse。Itellyouwhat，brother，ifevergypsyismbreaksup，itwillbeowingtoourchieshavingbeenbittenbythatmadpuppytheycallsgentility。"
　　CHAPTERXII
　　TheDingleatNight—TheTwoSidesoftheQuestion—RomanFemales—FillingtheKettle—TheDream—TheTallFigure。
　　IDESCENDEDtothebottomofthedingle。Itwasnearlyinvolvedinobscurity。Todissipatethefeelingofmelancholywhichcameovermymind，Iresolvedtokindleafire；andhavingheapeddrysticksuponmyhearth，andaddedabilletortwo，Istruckalight，andsoonproducedablaze。
　　Sittingdown，Ifixedmyeyesupontheblaze，andsoonfellintoadeepmeditation。Ithoughtoftheeventsoftheday，thesceneatchurch，andwhatIhadheardatchurch，thedangeroflosingone’ssoul，thedoubtsofJasperPetulengroastowhetheronehadasoul。IthoughtoverthevariousargumentswhichIhadeitherheard，orwhichhadcomespontaneouslytomymind，fororagainsttheprobabilityofastateoffutureexistence。Theyappearedtometobetolerablyevenlybalanced。Ithenthoughtthatitwasatalleventstakingthesafestparttoconcludethattherewasasoul。Itwouldbeaterriblething，afterhavingpassedone’slifeinthedisbeliefoftheexistenceofasoul，towakeupafterdeathasoul，andtofindone’sselfalostsoul。Yes，methoughtIwouldcometotheconclusionthatonehasasoul。Choosingthesafeside，however，appearedtometobeplayingaratherdastardlypart。Ihadneverbeenanadmirerofpeoplewhochosethesafesideineverything；
　　indeedIhadalwaysentertainedathoroughcontemptforthem。
　　Surelyitwouldbeshowingmoremanhoodtoadoptthedangerousside，thatofdisbelief；Ialmostresolvedtodoso—butyetinaquestionofsomuchimportance，Ioughtnottobeguidedbyvanity。Thequestionwasnotwhichwasthesafe，butthetrueside？yethowwasItoknowwhichwasthetrueside？ThenIthoughtoftheBible—whichIhadbeenreadinginthemorning—thatspokeofthesoulandafuturestate；butwastheBibletrue？Ihadheardlearnedandmoralmensaythatitwastrue，butIhadalsoheardlearnedandmoralmensaythatitwasnot：howwasItodecide？Stillthatbalanceofprobabilities！IfIcouldbutseethewayoftruth，Iwouldfollowit，ifnecessary，uponhandsandknees；
　　onthatIwasdetermined；butIcouldnotseeit。Feelingmybrainbegintoturnround，Iresolvedtothinkofsomethingelse；andforthwithbegantothinkofwhathadpassedbetweenUrsulaandmyselfinourdiscoursebeneaththehedge。
　　Imuseddeeplyonwhatshehadtoldmeastothevirtueofthefemalesofherrace。Howsingularthatvirtuemustbewhichwaskeptpureandimmaculatebythepossessor，whilstindulginginhabitsoffalsehoodanddishonesty！Ihadalwaysthoughtthegypsyfemalesextraordinarybeings。Ihadoftenwonderedatthem，theirdress，theirmannerofspeaking，and，notleast，attheirnames；but，untilthepresentday，Ihadbeenunacquaintedwiththemostextraordinarypointconnectedwiththem。Howcametheypossessedofthisextraordinaryvirtue？wasitbecausetheywerethievish？Irememberedthatanancientthief—taker，whohadretiredfromhisusefulcalling，andwhofrequentlyvisitedtheofficeofmymasteratlaw，therespectableS—，whohadthemanagementofhisproperty—Irememberedtohaveheardthisworthy，withwhomIoccasionallyhelddiscourse，philosophicandprofound，whenheandIchancedtobealonetogetherintheoffice，saythatallfirst—ratethievesweresober，andofwell—regulatedmorals，theirbodilypassionsbeingkeptinabeyancebytheirloveofgain；butthisaxiomcouldscarcelyholdgoodwithrespecttothesewomen—
　　howeverthievishtheymightbe，theydidcareforsomethingbesidesgain：theycaredfortheirhusbands。Iftheydidthieve，theymerelythievedfortheirhusbands；andthough，perhaps，someofthemwerevain，theymerelyprizedtheirbeautybecauseitgavethemfavourintheeyesoftheirhusbands。Whateverthehusbandswere—andJasperhadalmostinsinuatedthatthemalesoccasionallyallowedthemselvessomelatitude—theyappearedtobeasfaithfultotheirhusbandsastheancientRomanmatronsweretotheirs。Romanmatrons！and，afterall，mightnotthesebeinrealityRomanmatrons？TheycalledthemselvesRomans；mightnottheybethedescendantsoftheoldRomanmatrons？MightnottheybeofthesamebloodasLucretia？Andwerenotmanyoftheirstrangenames—Lucretiaamongsttherest—handeddowntothemfromoldRome？ItistruetheirlanguagewasnotthatofoldRome；itwasnot，however，altogetherdifferentfromit。Afterall，theancientRomansmightbeatribeofthesepeople，whosettleddownandfoundedavillagewiththetiltsofcarts，which，bydegrees，andtheinfluxofotherpeople，becamethegrandcityoftheworld。Ilikedtheideaofthegrandcityoftheworldowingitsorigintoapeoplewhohadbeeninthehabitofcarryingtheirhousesintheircarts。
　　Why，afterall，shouldnottheRomansofhistorybeabranchoftheseRomans？Therewereseveralpointsofsimilaritybetweenthem；ifRomanmatronswerechaste，bothmenandwomenwerethieves。OldRomewasthethiefoftheworld；yetstillthereweredifficultiestoberemovedbeforeIcouldpersuademyselfthattheoldRomansandmyRomanswereidentical；andintryingtoremovethesedifficulties，Ifeltmybrainoncemorebeginningtoturn，andinhastetookupanothersubjectofmeditation，andthatwasthepatteran，andwhatUrsulahadtoldmeaboutit。
　　IhadalwaysentertainedastrangeinterestforthatsignbywhichintheirwanderingstheRomanesegavetothoseoftheirpeoplewhocamebehindintimationastothedirectionwhichtheytook；butitnowinspiredmewithgreaterinterestthanever，—nowthatIhadlearntthatthepropermeaningofitwastheleavesoftrees。Ihad，asIhadsaidinmydialoguewithUrsula，beenveryeagertolearnthewordforleafintheRomanianlanguage，buthadneverlearntittillthisday；
　　sopatteransignifiedleafofatree；andnooneatpresentknewthatbutmyselfandUrsula，whohadlearntitfromMrs。
　　Herne，thelast，itwassaid，oftheoldstock；andthenI
　　thoughtwhatstrangepeoplethegypsiesmusthavebeenintheoldtime。Theyweresufficientlystrangeatpresent，buttheymusthavebeenfarstrangerofold；theymusthavebeenamorepeculiarpeople—theirlanguagemusthavebeenmoreperfect—andtheymusthavehadagreaterstockofstrangesecrets。IalmostwishedthatIhadlivedsometwoorthreehundredyearsago，thatImighthaveobservedthesepeoplewhentheywereyetstrangerthanatpresent。IwonderedwhetherIcouldhaveintroducedmyselftotheircompanyatthatperiod，whetherIshouldhavebeensofortunateastomeetsuchastrange，half—malicious，halfgood—humouredbeingasJasper，whowouldhaveinstructedmeinthelanguage，thenmoredeservingofnotethanatpresent。WhatmightInothavedonewiththatlanguage，hadIknownitinitspurity？
　　Why，Imighthavewrittenbooksinit；yetthosewhospokeitwouldhardlyhaveadmittedmetotheirsocietyatthatperiod，whentheykeptmoretothemselves。YetIthoughtthatImightpossiblyhavegainedtheirconfidence，andhavewanderedaboutwiththem，andlearnttheirlanguage，andalltheirstrangeways，andthen—andthen—andasighrosefromthedepthofmybreast；forIbegantothink，"SupposingIhadaccomplishedallthis，whatwouldhavebeentheprofitofit；andinwhatwouldallthiswildgypsydreamhaveterminated？"
　　Thenroseanothersigh，yetmoreprofound，forIbegantothink，"Whatwaslikelytobetheprofitofmypresentwayoflife；thelivingindingles，makingponyanddonkeyshoes，conversingwithgypsy—womenunderhedges，andextractingfromthemtheiroddsecrets？"Whatwaslikelytobetheprofitofsuchakindoflife，evenshoulditcontinueforalengthoftime？—asuppositionnotveryprobable，forIwasearningnothingtosupportme，andthefundswithwhichIhadentereduponthislifeweregraduallydisappearing。Iwasliving，itistrue，notunpleasantly，enjoyingthehealthyairofheaven；but，uponthewhole，wasInotsadlymisspendingmytime？SurelyIwas；and，asIlookedback，itappearedtomethatIhadalwaysbeendoingso。WhathadbeentheprofitofthetongueswhichIhadlearnt？hadtheyeverassistedmeinthedayofhunger？No，no！itappearedtomethatIhadalwaysmisspentmytime，saveinoneinstance，whenbyadesperateeffortIhadcollectedallthepowersofmyimagination，andwrittenthe"LifeofJosephSell；"butevenwhenIwrotetheLifeofSell，wasInotinafalseposition？
　　ProvidedIhadnotmisspentmytime，wouldithavebeennecessarytomakethateffort，which，afterall，hadonlyenabledmetoleaveLondon，andwanderaboutthecountryforatime？ButcouldI，takingallcircumstancesintoconsideration，havedonebetterthanIhad？Withmypeculiartemperamentandideas，couldIhavepursuedwithadvantagetheprofessiontowhichmyrespectableparentshadendeavouredtobringmeup？ItappearedtomethatIcouldnot，andthatthehandofnecessityhadguidedmefrommyearliestyears，untilthepresentnight，inwhichIfoundmyselfseatedinthedingle，staringonthebrandsofthefire。Butceasingtothinkofthepastwhich，asirrecoverablygone，itwasuselesstoregret，evenweretherecausetoregretit，whatshouldIdoinfuture？ShouldI
　　writeanotherbookliketheLifeofJosephSell；takeittoLondon，andofferittoapublisher？ButwhenIreflectedonthegrislysufferingswhichIhadundergonewhilstengagedinwritingtheLifeofSell，Ishrankfromtheideaofasimilarattempt；moreover，IdoubtedwhetherIpossessedthepowertowriteasimilarwork—whetherthematerialsforthelifeofanotherSelllurkedwithintherecessesofmybrain？HadI
　　notbetterbecomeinrealitywhatIhadhithertobeenmerelyplayingat—atinkeroragypsy？ButIsoonsawthatIwasnotfittedtobecomeeitherinreality。Itwasmuchmoreagreeabletoplaythegypsyorthetinkerthantobecomeeitherinreality。Ihadseenenoughofgypsyingandtinkeringtobeconvincedofthat。Allofasuddentheideaoftillingthesoilcameintomyhead；tillingthesoilwasahealthfulandnoblepursuit！butmyideaoftillingthesoilhadnoconnectionwithBritain；forIcouldonlyexpecttotillthesoilinBritainasaserf。IthoughtoftillingitinAmerica，inwhichitwassaidtherewasplentyofwild，unclaimedland，ofwhichanyone，whochosetoclearitofitstrees，mighttakepossession。IfiguredmyselfinAmerica，inanimmenseforest，clearingthelanddestined，bymyexertions，tobecomeafruitfulandsmilingplain。
　　MethoughtIheardthecrashofthehugetreesastheyfellbeneathmyaxe；andthenIbethoughtmethatamanwasintendedtomarry—Ioughttomarry；andifImarried，wherewasIlikelytobemorehappyasahusbandandafatherthaninAmerica，engagedintillingtheground？IfanciedmyselfinAmerica，engagedintillingtheground，assistedbyanenormousprogeny。Well，whynotmarry，andgoandtillthegroundinAmerica？Iwasyoung，andyouthwasthetimetomarryin，andtolabourin。Ihadtheuseofallmyfaculties；myeyes，itistrue，wereratherdullfromearlystudy，andfromwritingtheLifeofJosephSell；butIcouldseetolerablywellwiththem，andtheywerenotbleared。I
　　feltmyarms，andthighs，andteeth—theywerestrongandsoundenough；sonowwasthetimetolabour，tomarry，eatstrongflesh，andbegetstrongchildren—thepowerofdoingallthiswouldpassawaywithyouth，whichwasterriblytransitory。Ibethoughtmethatatimewouldcomewhenmyeyeswouldbebleared，and，perhaps，sightless；myarmsandthighsstrengthlessandsapless；whenmyteethwouldshakeinmyjaws，evensupposingtheydidnotdropout。Nogoingawooingthen—nolabouring—noeatingstrongflesh，andbegettinglustychildrenthen；andIbethoughtmehow，whenallthisshouldbe，Ishouldbewailthedaysofmyyouthasmisspent，providedIhadnotinthemfoundedformyselfahome，andbegottenstrongchildrentotakecareofmeinthedayswhenIcouldnottakecareofmyself；andthinkingofthesethings，Ibecamesadderandsadder，andstaredvacantlyuponthefiretillmyeyesclosedinadoze。
　　Icontinueddozingoverthefire，untilrousingmyselfI
　　perceivedthatthebrandswerenearlyconsumed，andIthoughtofretiringforthenight。Iarose，andwasabouttoentermytent，whenathoughtstruckme。"Suppose，"thoughtI，"thatIsopelBernersshouldreturninthemidstofthenight，howdarkanddrearywouldthedingleappearwithoutafire！
　　truly，Iwillkeepupthefire，andIwilldomore；Ihavenoboardtospreadforher，butIwillfillthekettle，andheatit，sothat，ifshecomes，Imaybeabletowelcomeherwithacupoftea，forIknowshelovestea。"Thereupon，Ipiledmorewooduponthefire，andsoonsucceededinprocuringabetterblazethanbefore；then，takingthekettle，Isetoutforthespring。Onarrivingatthemouthofthedingle，whichfrontedtheeast，IperceivedthatCharles’swainwasnearlyoppositetoit，highaboveintheheavens，bywhichI
　　knewthatthenightwastolerablywelladvanced。Thegypsyencampmentlaybeforeme；allwashushedandstillwithinit，anditsinmatesappearedtobelockedinslumber；asI
　　advanced，however，thedogs，whichwerefastenedoutsidethetents，growledandbarked；butpresentlyrecognisingme，theywereagainsilent，someofthemwaggingtheirtails。AsI
　　drewnearaparticulartent，Iheardafemalevoicesay—
　　"Someoneiscoming！"and，asIwasabouttopassit，theclothwhichformedthedoorwassuddenlyliftedup，andablackheadandpartofahugenakedbodyprotruded。ItwastheheadandupperpartofthegiantTawno，who，accordingtothefashionofgypsymen，laynextthedoorwrappedinhisblanket；theblankethad，however，fallenoff，andthestarlightshoneclearonhisathletictawnybody，andwasreflectedfromhislargestaringeyes。
　　"ItisonlyI，Tawno，"saidI，"goingtofillthekettle，asitispossiblethatMissBernersmayarrivethisnight。"
　　"Kos—ko，"drawledoutTawno，andreplacedthecurtain。
　　"Good，doyoucallit？"saidthesharpvoiceofhiswife；
　　"thereisnogoodinthematter！ifthatyoungchapwerenotlivingwiththerawneeintheillegalanduncertificatedline，hewouldnotbegettingupinthemiddleofthenighttofillherkettles。"Passingon，Iproceededtothespring，whereIfilledthekettle，andthenreturnedtothedingle。
　　Placingthekettleuponthefire，Iwatchedittillitbegantoboil；thenremovingitfromthetopofthebrands，I
　　placeditclosebesidethefire，andleavingitsimmering，I
　　retiredtomytent；where，havingtakenoffmyshoes，andafewofmygarments，Ilaydownonmypalliasse，andwasnotlonginfallingasleep。IbelieveIsleptsoundlyforsometime，thinkinganddreamingofnothing；suddenly，however，mysleepbecamedisturbed，andthesubjectofthepatteransbegantooccupymybrain。IimaginedthatIsawUrsulatracingherhusband，LauncelotLovel，bymeansofhispatterans；Iimaginedthatshehadconsiderabledifficultyindoingso；thatshewasoccasionallyinterruptedbyparishbeadlesandconstables，whoaskedherwhithershewastravelling，towhomshegavevariousanswers。Presentlymethoughtthat，asshewaspassingbyafarm—yard，twofierceandsavagedogsflewather；Iwasingreattrouble，I
　　remember，andwishedtoassisther，butcouldnot，forthoughIseemedtoseeher，Iwasstillatadistance：andnowitappearedthatshehadescapedfromthedogs，andwasproceedingwithhercartalongagravellypathwhichtraversedawildmoor；Icouldhearthewheelsgratingamidstsandandgravel。ThenextmomentIwasawake，andfoundmyselfsittingupinmytent；therewasaglimmeroflightthroughthecanvascausedbythefire；afeelingofdreadcameoverme，whichwasperhapsnatural，onstartingsuddenlyfromone’ssleepinthatwildloneplace；Ihalfimaginedthatsomeonewasnighthetent；theideamademeratheruncomfortable，and，todissipateit，Iliftedupthecanvasofthedoorandpeepedout，and，lo！Ihadadistinctviewofatallfigurestandingbythetent。"Whoisthat？"saidI，whilstIfeltmybloodrushtomyheart。"ItisI，"saidthevoiceofIsopelBerners；"youlittleexpectedme，Idaresay；
　　well，sleepon，Idonotwishtodisturbyou。""ButIwasexpectingyou，"saidI，recoveringmyself，"asyoumayseebythefireandkettle。Iwillbewithyouinamoment。"
　　PuttingoninhastethearticlesofdresswhichIhadflungoff，Icameoutofthetent，andaddressingmyselftoIsopel，whowasstandingbesidehercart，Isaid—"justasIwasabouttoretiretorestIthoughtitpossiblethatyoumightcometo—night，andgoteverythinginreadinessforyou。Now，sitdownbythefirewhilstIleadthedonkeyandcarttotheplacewhereyoustay；Iwillunharnesstheanimal，andpresentlycomeandjoinyou。""Ineednottroubleyou，"saidIsopel；"Iwillgomyselfandseeaftermythings。""Wewillgotogether，"saidI，"andthenreturnandhavesometea。"
　　Isopelmadenoobjection，andinabouthalf—an—hourwehadarrangedeverythingatherquarters，Ithenhastenedandpreparedtea。PresentlyIsopelrejoinedme，bringingherstool；shehaddivestedherselfofherbonnet，andherhairfelloverhershoulders；shesatdown，andIpouredoutthebeverage，handingheracup。"Haveyoumadealongjourneyto—night？"saidI。"Averylongone，"repliedBelle。"I
　　havecomenearlytwentymilessincesixo’clock。""IbelieveIheardyoucominginmysleep，"saidI；"didthedogsabovebarkatyou？""Yes，"saidIsopel，"veryviolently；didyouthinkofmeinyoursleep？""No，"saidI，"IwasthinkingofUrsulaandsomethingshehadtoldme。""Whenandwherewasthat？"saidIsopel。"Yesterdayevening，"saidI，"beneaththedinglehedge。""Thenyouweretalkingwithherbeneaththehedge？""Iwas，"saidI，"butonlyupongypsymatters。
　　Doyouknow，Belle，thatshehasjustbeenmarriedtoSylvester，sothatyouneednotthinkthatsheandI—"
　　"Sheandyouarequiteatlibertytositwhereyouplease，"
　　saidIsopel。"However，youngman，"shecontinued，droppinghertone，whichshehadslightlyraised，"Ibelievewhatyousaid，thatyouweremerelytalkingaboutgypsymatters，andalsowhatyouweregoingtosay，ifitwas，asIsuppose，thatsheandyouhadnoparticularacquaintance。"Isopelwasnowsilentforsometime。"Whatareyouthinkingof？"saidI。"Iwasthinking，"saidBelle，"howexceedinglykinditwasofyoutogeteverythinginreadinessforme，thoughyoudidnotknowthatIshouldcome。""Ihadapresentimentthatyouwouldcome，"saidI；"butyouforgetthatIhavepreparedthekettleforyoubefore，thoughitwastruethatIwasthencertainthatyouwouldcome。""Ihadnotforgottenyourdoingso，youngman，"saidBelle；"butIwasbeginningtothinkthatyouwereutterlyselfish，caringfornothingbutthegratificationofyourownselfishwhims。""Iamveryfondofhavingmyownway，"saidI，"bututterlyselfishIamnot，asIdaresayIshallfrequentlyprovetoyou。Youwilloftenfindthekettleboilingwhenyoucomehome。""Notheatedbyyou，"saidIsopel，withasigh。"Bywhomelse？"
　　saidI；"surelyyouarenotthinkingofdrivingmeaway？"
　　"Youhaveasmuchrighthereasmyself，"saidIsopel，"asI
　　havetoldyoubefore；butImustbegoingmyself。""Well，"
　　saidI，"wecangotogether；totellyouthetruth，Iamrathertiredofthisplace。""Ourpathsmustbeseparate，"
　　saidBelle。"Separate，"saidI，"whatdoyoumean？Ishan’tletyougoalone，Ishallgowithyou；andyouknowtheroadisasfreetomeastoyou；besides，youcan’tthinkofpartingcompanywithme，consideringhowmuchyouwouldlosebydoingso；rememberthatyouknowscarcelyanythingoftheArmenianlanguage；now，tolearnArmenianfrommewouldtakeyoutwentyyears。"
　　Bellefaintlysmiled。"Come，"saidI，"takeanothercupoftea。"Belletookanothercupoftea，andyetanother；wehadsomeindifferentconversation，afterwhichIaroseandgaveherdonkeyaconsiderablefeedofcorn。Bellethankedme，shookmebythehand，andthenwenttoherowntabernacle，andIreturnedtomine。
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　VisittotheLandlord—HisMortifications—HunterandhisClan—Resolution。
　　ONthefollowingmorning，afterbreakfastingwithBelle，whowassilentandmelancholy，Ileftherinthedingle，andtookastrollamongsttheneighbouringlanes。AftersometimeI
　　thoughtIwouldpayavisittothelandlordofthepublic—
　　house，whomIhadnotseensincethedaywhenhecommunicatedtomehisintentionofchanginghisreligion。Ithereforedirectedmystepstothehouse，andonenteringitfoundthelandlordstandinginthekitchen。Justthentwomean—lookingfellows，whohadbeendrinkingatoneofthetables，andwhoappearedtobetheonlycustomersinthehouse，gotup，brushedpastthelandlord，andsayinginasurlytone，weshallpayyousometimeorother，tooktheirdeparture。
　　"That’sthewaytheyservemenow，"saidthelandlord，withasigh。"Doyouknowthosefellows，"Idemanded，"sinceyouletthemgoawayinyourdebt？""Iknownothingaboutthem，"saidthelandlord，"savethattheyareacoupleofscamps。""Thenwhydidyouletthemgoawaywithoutpayingyou？"saidI。"Ihadnotthehearttostopthem，"saidthelandlord；"and，totellyouthetruth，everybodyservesmesonow，andIsupposetheyareright，forachildcouldflogme。""Nonsense，"saidI，"behavemorelikeaman，andwithrespecttothosetwofellowsrunafterthem，Iwillgowithyou，andiftheyrefusetopaythereckoningIwillhelpyoutoshakesomemoneyoutoftheirclothes。""Thankyou，"saidthelandlord；"butastheyaregone，letthemgoon。Whattheyhavedrankisnotofmuchconsequence。""Whatisthematterwithyou？"saidI，staringatthelandlord，whoappearedstrangelyaltered；hisfeatureswerewildandhaggard，hisformerlybluffcheekswereconsiderablysunkenin，andhisfigurehadlostmuchofitsplumpness。"Haveyouchangedyourreligionalready，andhasthefellowinblackcommandedyoutofast？""Ihavenotchangedmyreligionyet，"saidthelandlord，withakindofshudder；"Iamtochangeitpubliclythisdayfortnight，andtheideaofdoingso—Idonotmindtellingyou—preysmuchuponmymind；
　　moreover，thenoiseofthethinghasgotabroad，andeverybodyislaughingatme，andwhat’smore，cominganddrinkingmybeer，andgoingawaywithoutpayingforit，whilstIfeelmyselflikeonebewitched，wishingbutnotdaringtotakemyownpart。Confoundthefellowinblack，I
　　wishIhadneverseenhim！yetwhatcanIdowithouthim？
　　ThebrewerswearsthatunlessIpayhimfiftypoundswithinafortnighthe’llsendadistresswarrantintothehouse，andtakeallIhave。Mypoornieceiscryingintheroomabove；