CHAPTERXX
　　FarewelltotheRomans—TheLandlordandHisNiece—SetOutasaTraveller。
　　ONreachingtheplainabove，IfoundmyRomanyfriendsbreakfasting，andonbeingaskedbyMr。Petulengrotojointhem，Iacceptedtheinvitation。NosoonerwasbreakfastoverthanIinformedUrsulaandherhusbandthattheywouldfindtheproperty，whichIhadpromisedthem，inthedingle，commandingthelittleponyAmbroltotheirbestcare。Itookleaveofthewholecompany，whichwasitselfabouttobreakupcampandtodepartinthedirectionofLondon，andmadethebestofmywaytothepublic—house。Ihadasmallbundleinmyhand，andwasdressedinthesamemanneraswhenI
　　departedfromLondon，havingleftmywaggoner’sslopwiththeothereffectsinthedingle。Onarrivingatthepublic—
　　house，IinformedthelandlordthatIwascomeformyhorse，inquiring，atthesametime，whetherhecouldnotaccommodatemewithabridleandsaddle。Hetoldmethatthebridleandsaddle，withwhichIhadriddenthehorseontheprecedingday，wereatmyserviceforatrifle；thathehadreceivedthemsometimesinceinpaymentforadebt，andthathehadhimselfnouseforthem。Theleathersofthebridlewererathershabby，andthebitrusty，andthesaddlewasoldfashioned；butIwashappytopurchasethemforsevenshillings，moreespeciallyasthelandlordaddedasmallvalise，whichhesaidcouldbestrappedtothesaddle，andwhichIshouldfindveryconvenientforcarryingmythingsin。Ithenproceededtothestable，toldthehorsewewereboundonanexpedition，andgivinghimafeedofcorn，lefthimtodiscussit，andreturnedtothebar—roomtohavealittlefarewellchatwiththelandlord，andatthesametimetodrinkwithhimafarewellglassofale。Whilstweweretalkinganddrinking，theniececameandjoinedus：shewasadecent，sensibleyoungwoman，whoappearedtotakeagreatinterestinheruncle，whomsheregardedwithasingularmixtureofprideand，disapprobation—pridefortherenownwhichhehadacquiredbyhisfeatsofold，anddisapprobationforhislateimprudences。ShesaidthatshehopedthathismisfortuneswouldbeawarningtohimtoturnmoretohisGodthanhehadhithertodone，andtogiveupcock—fightingandotherlow—lifepractices。Towhichthelandlordreplied，thatwithrespecttocock—fightingheintendedtogiveitupentirely，beingdeterminednolongertoriskhiscapitaluponbirds，andwithrespecttohisreligiousduties，heshouldattendthechurchofwhichhewaschurchwardenatleastonceaquarter，adding，however，thathedidnotintendtobecomeeithercanterordriveller，neitherofwhichcharacterswouldbefitapublicansurroundedbysuchcustomersashewas，andthattothelastdayofhislifehehopedtobeabletomakeuseofhisfists。AfterastayofabouttwohoursIsettledaccounts，andhavingbridledandsaddledmyhorse，andstrappedonmyvalise，Imounted，shookhandswiththelandlordandhisniece，anddeparted，notwithstandingthattheybothentreatedmetotarryuntiltheevening，itbeingthentheheatoftheday。
　　CHAPTERXXI
　　AnAdventureontheRoad—TheSixFlintStone—ARuralScene—Mead—TheOldManandHisBees。
　　IBENTmycourseinthedirectionofthenorth，moreinducedbychancethananyparticularmotive；allquartersoftheworldhavingaboutequalattractionsforme。Iwasinhighspiritsatfindingmyselfoncemoreonhorse—back，andtrottedgailyon，untiltheheatoftheweatherinducedmetoslackenmypace，moreoutofpityformyhorsethanbecauseI
　　feltanyparticularinconveniencefromit—heatandcoldbeingthen，andstill，mattersofgreatindifferencetome。
　　WhatIthoughtofIscarcelyknow，saveandexceptthatI
　　haveaglimmeringrecollectionthatIfeltsomedesiretomeetwithoneofthoseadventureswhichupontheroadsofEnglandaregenerallyasplentifulasblackberriesinautumn；
　　andFortune，whohasgenerallybeenreadytogratifymyinclinations，provideditcostherverylittlebysodoing，wasnotslowinfurnishingmewithanadventure，perhapsascharacteristicoftheEnglishroadsasanythingwhichcouldhavehappened。
　　Imighthavetravelledaboutsixmilesamongstcrossroadsandlanes，whensuddenlyIfoundmyselfuponabroadandverydustyroadwhichseemedtoleadduenorth。AsIwendedalongthisIsawamanuponadonkeyridingtowardsme。Themanwascommonlydressed，withabroadfelthatonhishead，andakindofsatchelonhisback；heseemedtobeinamightyhurry，andwaseverynowandthenbelabouringthedonkeywithacudgel。Thedonkey，however，whichwasafinelargecreatureofthesilver—greyspecies，didnotappeartosympathizeatallwithitsriderinhisdesiretogeton，butkeptitsheadturnedbackasmuchaspossible，movingfromonesideoftheroadtotheother，andnotmakingmuchforwardway。AsIpassed，beingnaturallyofaverypolitedisposition，Igavethemantheseleoftheday，askinghim，atthesametime，whyhebeatthedonkey；whereuponthefelloweyeingmeaskance，toldmetomindmyownbusiness，withtheadditionofsomethingwhichIneednotrepeat。I
　　hadnotproceededafurlongbeforeIsawseatedonthedustbythewayside，closebyaheapofstones，andwithseveralflintsbeforehim，arespectable—lookingoldman，withastrawhatandawhitesmock，whowasweepingbitterly。
　　"Whatareyoucryingfor，father？"saidI。"Haveyoucometoanyhurt？""Hurtenough，"sobbedtheoldman，"IhavejustbeentrickedoutofthebestassinEnglandbyavillain，whogavemenothingbutthesetrashinreturn，"pointingtothestonesbeforehim。"Ireallyscarcelyunderstandyou，"saidI，"Iwishyouwouldexplainyourselfmoreclearly。""Iwasridingonmyassfrommarket，"saidtheoldman，"whenImethereafellowwithasackonhisback，who，afterstaringattheassandmeamomentortwo，askedmeifIwouldsellher。
　　ItoldhimthatIcouldnotthinkofsellingher，asshewasveryusefultome，andthoughananimal，mytruecompanion，whomIlovedasmuchasifsheweremywifeanddaughter。I
　　thenattemptedtopasson，butthefellowstoodbeforeme，beggingmetosellher，sayingthathewouldgivemeanythingforher；well，seeingthathepersisted，IsaidatlastthatifIsoldher，Imusthavesixpoundsforher，andIsaidsotogetridofhim，forIsawthathewasashabbyfellow，whohadprobablynotsixshillingsintheworld；butIhadbetterhaveheldmytongue，"saidtheoldman，cryingmorebitterlythanbefore，"forthewordswerescarcelyoutofmymouth，whenhesaidhewouldgivemewhatIasked，andtakingthesackfromhisback，hepulledoutasteelyard，andgoingtotheheapofstonesthere，hetookupseveralofthemandweighedthem，thenflingingthemdownbeforeme，hesaid，’Therearesixpounds，neighbour；now，getofftheass，andhandherovertome。’Well，Isatlikeonedumbfounderedforatime，tillatlastIaskedhimwhathemeant？’WhatdoI
　　mean？’saidhe，’youoldrascal，why，Imeantoclaimmypurchase，’andthenhesworesoawfully，thatscarcelyknowingwhatIdidIgotdown，andhejumpedontheanimalandrodeoffasfastashecould。""Isupposehewasthefellow，"saidI，"whomIjustnowmetuponafinegrayass，whichhewasbeatingwithacudgel。""Idaresayhewas，"
　　saidtheoldman，"Isawhimbeatingherasherodeaway，andIthoughtIshouldhavedied。""Ineverheardsuchastory，"
　　saidI；"well，doyoumeantosubmittosuchapieceofrogueryquietly？""Oh，dear，"saidtheoldman，"whatcanI
　　do？Iamseventy—nineyearsofage；Iambadonmyfeet，anddar’n’tgoafterhim。"—"ShallIgo？"saidI；"thefellowisathief，andanyonehasarighttostophim。""Oh，ifyoucouldbutbringheragaintome，"saidtheoldman，"Iwouldblessyoutillmydyingday；buthaveacare；Idon’tknowbutafterallthelawmaysaythatsheishislawfulpurchase。Iaskedsixpoundsforher，andhegavemesixpounds。""Sixflints，youmean，"saidI，"no，no，thelawisnotquitesobadasthateither；Iknowsomethingabouther，andamsurethatshewillneversanctionsuchaquibble。Atallevents，I’llrideafterthefellow。"Thereuponturningmyhorseround，Iputhimtohisverybesttrot；Irodenearlyamilewithoutobtainingaglimpseofthefellow，andwasbecomingapprehensivethathehadescapedmebyturningdownsomeby—path，twoorthreeofwhichIhadpassed。
　　Suddenly，however，ontheroadmakingaslightturning，I
　　perceivedhimrightbeforeme，movingatatolerablyswiftpace，havingbythistimeprobablyovercometheresistanceoftheanimal。Puttingmyhorsetoafullgallop，Ishoutedatthetopofmyvoice，"Getoffthatdonkey，yourascal，andgiveheruptome，orI’llrideyoudown。"Thefellowhearingthethunderofthehorse’shoofsbehindhim，drewupononesideoftheroad。"Whatdoyouwant？"saidhe，asI
　　stoppedmycharger，nowalmostcoveredwithsweatandfoamclosebesidehim。"Doyouwanttorobme？""Torobyou？"
　　saidI。"No！buttotakefromyouthatass，ofwhichyouhavejustrobbeditsowner。""Ihaverobbednoman，"saidthefellow；"Ijustnowpurchaseditfairlyofitsmaster，andthelawwillgiveittome；heaskedsixpoundsforit，andIgavehimsixpounds。""Sixstones，youmean，yourascal，"saidI；"getdown，ormyhorseshallbeuponyouinamoment；"thenwithamotionofmyreins，Icausedthehorsetorear，pressinghissideswithmyheelsasifIintendedtomakehimleap。"Stop，"saidtheman，"I’llgetdown，andthentryifIcan’tserveyouout。"Hethengotdown，andconfrontedmewithhiscudgel；hewasahorrible—lookingfellow，andseemedpreparedforanything。Scarcely，however，hadhedismounted，whenthedonkeyjerkedthebridleoutofhishand，andprobablyinrevengefortheusageshehadreceived，gavehimapairoftremendouskicksonthehipwithherhinderlegs，whichoverturnedhim，andthenscampereddowntheroadthewayshehadcome。"Prettytreatmentthis，"
　　saidthefellow，gettingupwithouthiscudgel，andholdinghishandtohisside，"IwishImaynotbelamedforlife。"
　　"Andifyoube，"saidI，"itwillmerelyserveyouright，yourascal，fortryingtocheatapooroldmanoutofhispropertybyquibblingatwords。""Rascal！"saidthefellow，"youlie，Iamnorascal；andasforquibblingwithwords—
　　supposeIdid！Whatthen？Allthefirstpeopledoesit！
　　Thenewspapersdoesit！thegentlefolksthatcallsthemselvestheguidesofthepopularminddoesit！I’mnoignoramus。I
　　readthenewspapers，andknowswhat’swhat。""Youreadthemtosomepurpose，"saidI。"Well，ifyouarelamedforlife，andunfittedforanyactiveline—turnnewspapereditor；I
　　shouldsayyouareperfectlyqualified，andthisday’sadventuremaybethefoundationofyourfortune，"thereuponI
　　turnedroundandrodeoff。Thefellowfollowedmewithatorrentofabuse。"Confoundyou，"saidhe—yetthatwasnottheexpressioneither—"Iknowyou；youareoneofthehorse—patrolcomedownintothecountryonleavetoseeyourrelations。Confoundyou，youandthelikeofyouhaveknockedmybusinessontheheadnearLunnon，andIsupposeweshallhaveyoushortlyinthecountry。""Tothenewspaperoffice，"saidI，"andfabricatefalsehoodsoutofflintstones；"thentouchingthehorsewithmyheels，Itrottedoff，andcomingtotheplacewhereIhadseentheoldman，I
　　foundhimthere，risenfromtheground，andembracinghisass。
　　ItoldhimthatIwastravellingdowntheroad，andsaid，thatifhiswaylayinthesamedirectionasminehecoulddonobetterthanaccompanymeforsomedistance，lestthefellowwho，foraughtIknew，mightbehoveringnigh，mightcatchhimalone，andagaingethisassfromhim。Afterthankingmeformyoffer，whichhesaidhewouldaccept，hegotuponhisass，andweproceededtogetherdowntheroad。
　　Mynewacquaintancesaidverylittleofhisownaccord；andwhenIaskedhimaquestion，answeredratherincoherently。I
　　heardhimeverynowandthensay，"Villain！"tohimself，afterwhichhewouldpatthedonkey’sneck，fromwhichcircumstanceIconcludedthathismindwasoccupiedwithhislateadventure。Aftertravellingabouttwomiles，wereachedaplacewhereadrift—wayontherightledfromthegreatroad；heremycompanionstopped，andonmyaskinghimwhetherhewasgoinganyfarther，hetoldmethatthepathtotherightwasthewaytohishome。
　　Iwasbiddinghimfarewell，whenhehemmedonceortwice，andsaid，thatashedidnotlivefaroff，hehopedthatIwouldgowithhimandtastesomeofhismead。AsIhadnevertastedmead，ofwhichIhadfrequentlyreadinthecompositionsoftheWelshbards，and，moreover，feltratherthirstyfromtheheatoftheday，ItoldhimthatIshouldhavegreatpleasureinattendinghim。Whereupon，turningofftogether，weproceededabouthalfamile，sometimesbetweenstonewalls，andatothertimeshedges，tillwereachedasmallhamlet，throughwhichwepassed，andpresentlycametoaveryprettycottage，delightfullysituatedwithinagarden，surroundedbyahedgeofwoodbines。Openingagateatonecornerofthegardenheledthewaytoalargeshed，whichstoodpartlybehindthecottage，whichhesaidwashisstable；thereuponhedismountedandledhisdonkeyintotheshed，whichwaswithoutstalls，buthadalongrackandmanger。Ononesidehetiedhisdonkey，aftertakingoffhercaparisons，andIfollowedhisexample，tyingmyhorseattheothersidewitharopehalterwhichhegaveme；hethenaskedmetocomeinandtastehismead，butItoldhimthatImustattendtothecomfortofmyhorsefirst，andforthwith，takingawispofstraw，rubbedhimcarefullydown。Thentakingapailfulofclearwaterwhichstoodintheshed，I
　　allowedthehorsetodrinkabouthalfapint；andthenturningtotheoldman，whoallthetimehadstoodbylookingatmyproceedings，Iaskedhimwhetherhehadanyoats？"I
　　haveallkindsofgrain，"hereplied；and，goingout，hepresentlyreturnedwithtwomeasures，onealargeandtheotherasmallone，bothfilledwithoats，mixedwithafewbeans，andhandingthelargeonetomeforthehorse，heemptiedtheotherbeforethedonkey，who，beforeshebegantodespatchit，turnedhernosetohermaster’sface，andfairlykissedhim。Havinggivenmyhorsehisportion，ItoldtheoldmanthatIwasreadytotastehismeadassoonashepleased，whereuponheusheredmeintohiscottage，where，makingmesitdownbyadealtableinaneatlysandedkitchen，heproducedfromanold—fashionedclosetabottle，holdingaboutaquart，andacoupleofcups，whichmighteachcontainabouthalfapint，thenopeningthebottleandfillingthecupswithabrown—colouredliquor，hehandedonetome，andtakingaseatoppositetome，heliftedtheother，nodded，andsayingtome—"Healthandwelcome，"placedittohislipsanddrank。
　　"Healthandthanks，"Ireplied；andbeingverythirsty，emptiedmycupatadraught；Ihadscarcelydoneso，however，whenIhalfrepented。Themeadwasdeliciouslysweetandmellow，butappearedstrongasbrandy；myeyesreeledinmyhead，andmybrainbecameslightlydizzy。"Meadisastrongdrink，"saidtheoldman，ashelookedatme，withahalfsmileonhiscountenance。"Thisisatanyrate，"saidI，"sostrong，indeed，thatIwouldnotdrinkanothercupforanyconsideration。""AndIwouldnotaskyou，"saidtheoldman；
　　"for，ifyoudid，youwouldmostprobablybestupidallday，andwakethenextmorningwithaheadache。Meadisagooddrink，butwoundilystrong，especiallytothosewhobenotusedtoit，asIsupposeyouarenot。""Wheredoyougetit？"saidI。"Imakeitmyself，"saidtheoldman，"fromthehoneywhichmybeesmake。""Haveyoumanybees？"Iinquired。
　　"Agreatmany，"saidtheoldman。"Anddoyoukeepthem，"
　　saidI，"forthesakeofmakingmeadwiththeirhoney？""I
　　keepthem，"hereplied，"partlybecauseIamfondofthem，andpartlyforwhattheybringmein；theymakemeagreatdealofhoney，someofwhichIsell，andwithalittleImakesomemeadtowarmmypoorheartwith，oroccasionallytotreatafriendwithlikeyourself。""Anddoyousupportyourselfentirelybymeansofyourbees？""No，"saidtheoldman；"Ihavealittlebitofgroundbehindmyhouse，whichismyprincipalmeansofsupport。""Anddoyoulivealone？"
　　"Yes，"saidhe；"withtheexceptionofthebeesandthedonkey，Ilivequitealone。""Andhaveyoualwayslivedalone？"Theoldmanemptiedhiscup，andhisheartbeingwarmedwiththemead，hetoldhishistory，whichwassimplicityitself。Hisfatherwasasmallyeoman，who，athisdeath，hadlefthim，hisonlychild，thecottage，withasmallpieceofgroundbehindit，andonthislittlepropertyhehadlivedeversince。Abouttheageoftwenty—fivehehadmarriedanindustriousyoungwoman，bywhomhehadonedaughter，whodiedbeforereachingyearsofwomanhood。Hiswife，however，hadsurvivedherdaughtermanyyears，andhadbeenagreatcomforttohim，assistinghiminhisruraloccupations；but，aboutfouryearsbeforethepresentperiod，hehadlosther，sincewhichtimehehadlivedalone，makinghimselfascomfortableashecould；cultivatinghisground，withthehelpofaladfromtheneighbouringvillage，attendingtohisbees，andoccasionallyridinghisdonkeytomarket，andhearingthewordofGod，whichhesaidhewassorryhecouldnotread，twiceaweekregularlyattheparishchurch。Suchwastheoldman’stale。
　　Whenhehadfinishedspeaking，heledmebehindhishouse，andshowedmehislittledomain。Itconsistedofabouttwoacresinadmirablecultivation；asmallportionofitformedakitchengarden，whiletherestwassownwithfourkindsofgrain，wheat，barley，peas，andbeans。Theairwasfullofambrosialsweets，resemblingthoseproceedingfromanorangegrove；aplacewhichthoughIhadneverseenatthattime，I
　　sincehave。Inthegardenwasthehabitationofthebees，alongbox，supporteduponthreeoakenstumps。Itwasfullofsmallroundglasswindows，andappearedtobedividedintoagreatmanycompartments，muchresemblingdrawersplacedsideways。Hetoldmethat，asonecompartmentwasfilled，thebeesleftitforanother；sothat，wheneverhewantedhoney，hecouldprocuresomewithoutinjurytotheinsects。
　　ThroughthelittleroundwindowsIcouldseeseveralofthebeesatwork；hundredsweregoinginandoutofthedoors；
　　hundredswerebuzzingaboutontheflowers，thewoodbines，andbeans。AsIlookedaroundonthewell—cultivatedfield，thegarden，andthebees，IthoughtIhadneverbeforeseensoruralandpeacefulascene。
　　Whenwereturnedtothecottageweagainsatdown，andI
　　askedtheoldmanwhetherhewasnotafraidtolivealone。
　　Hetoldmethathewasnot，forthat，uponthewhole，hisneighbourswereverykindtohim。Imentionedthefellowwhohadswindledhimofhisdonkeyupontheroad。"Thatwasnoneighbourofmine，"saidtheoldman，"and，perhaps，Ishallneverseehimagain，orhislike。""It’sadreadfulthing，"
　　saidI，"tohavenootherresource，wheninjured，thantoshedtearsontheroad。""Itisso，"saidtheoldman；"butGodsawthetearsoftheold，andsentahelper。""Whydidyounothelpyourself？"saidI。"Insteadofgettingoffyourass，whydidyounotpunchatthefellow，oratanyrateusedreadfullanguage，callhimvillain，andshoutrobbery？"
　　"Punch！"saidtheoldman，"shout！what，withthesehands，andthisvoice—Lord，howyourunon！Iamold，youngchap，Iamold！""Well，"saidI，"itisashamefulthingtocryevenwhenold。""Youthinksonow，"saidtheoldman，"becauseyouareyoungandstrong；perhapswhenyouareasoldasI，youwillnotbeashamedtocry。"
　　UponthewholeIwasratherpleasedwiththeoldman，andmuchwithallabouthim。Aseveningdrewnigh，ItoldhimthatImustproceedonmyjourney；whereuponheinvitedmetotarrywithhimduringthenight，tellingmethathehadaniceroomandbedaboveatmyservice。I，however，declined；
　　andbiddinghimfarewell，mountedmyhorse，anddeparted。
　　Regainingtheroad，Iproceededoncemoreinthedirectionofthenorth；and，afterafewhours，comingtoacomfortablepublic—house，Istopped，andputupforthenight。
　　CHAPTERXXII
　　TheSingularNoise—SleepinginaMeadow—TheBook—CureforWakefulness—LiteraryTeaParty—PoorByron。
　　IDIDnotawaketillratherlatethenextmorning；andwhenI
　　did，Ifeltconsiderabledrowsiness，withaslightheadache，whichIwasuncharitableenoughtoattributetothemeadwhichIhaddrunkontheprecedingday。Afterfeedingmyhorse，andbreakfasting，Iproceededonmywanderings。
　　Nothingoccurredworthyofrelatingtillmid—daywasconsiderablypast，whenIcametoapleasantvalley，betweentwogentlehills。Ihaddismounted，inordertoeasemyhorse，andwasleadinghimalongbythebridle，when，onmyright，behindabankinwhichsomeumbrageousashesweregrowing，heardasingularnoise。Istoppedshortandlistened，andpresentlysaidtomyself，"Surelythisissnoring，perhapsthatofahedgehog。"Onfurtherconsideration，however，IwasconvincedthatthenoisewhichIheard，andwhichcertainlyseemedtobesnoring，couldnotpossiblyproceedfromthenostrilsofsosmallananimal，butmustrathercomefromthoseofagiant，soloudandsonorouswasit。Abouttwoorthreeyardsfartherwasagate，partlyopen，towhichIwent，andpeepingintothefield，sawamanlyingonsomerichgrass，undertheshadeofoneoftheashes；hewassnoringawayatagreatrate。Impelledbycuriosity，Ifastenedthebridleofmyhorsetothegate，andwentuptotheman。Hewasagenteelly—dressedindividual；
　　rathercorpulent，withdarkfeatures，andseeminglyaboutforty—five。Helayonhisback，hishatslightlyoverhisbrow，andathisrighthandlayanopenbook。Sostrenuouslydidhesnorethatthewindfromhisnostrilsagitated，perceptibly，afinecambricfrillwhichheworeathisbosom。
　　Igazeduponhimforsometime，expectingthathemightawake；buthedidnot，butkeptonsnoring，hisbreastheavingconvulsively。Atlast，thenoisehemadebecamesoterrible，thatIfeltalarmedforhissafety，imaginingthatafitmightseizehim，andhelosehislifewhilefastasleep。Ithereforeexclaimed，"Sir，sir，awake！yousleepover—much。"Butmyvoicefailedtorousehim，andhecontinuedsnoringasbefore；whereuponItouchedhimslightlywithmyridingwand，butfailingtowakehim，Itouchedhimagainmorevigorously；whereuponheopenedhiseyes，and，probablyimagininghimselfinadream，closedthemagain。
　　ButIwasdeterminedtoarousehim，andcriedasloudasI
　　could，"Sir，sir，praysleepnomore！"HeheardwhatIsaid，openedhiseyesagain，staredatmewithalookofsomeconsciousness，and，halfraisinghimselfuponhiselbows，askedmewhatwasthematter。"Ibegyourpardon，"saidI，"butItookthelibertyofawakingyou，becauseyouappearedtobemuchdisturbedinyoursleep—Iwasfearful，too，thatyoumightcatchafeverfromsleepingunderatree。""Irunnorisk，"saidtheman，"Ioftencomeandsleephere；andasforbeingdisturbedinmysleep，Ifeltverycomfortable；I
　　wishyouhadnotawokeme。""Well，"saidI，"Ibegyourpardononcemore。IassureyouthatwhatIdidwaswiththebestintention。""Oh！praymakenofurtherapology，"saidtheindividual，"Imakenodoubtthatwhatyoudidwasdonekindly；butthere’sanoldproverb，totheeffect，’thatyoushouldletsleepingdogslie，’"headdedwithasmile。Then，gettingup，andstretchinghimselfwithayawn，hetookuphisbookandsaid，"Ihavesleptquitelongenough，andit’squitetimeformetobegoinghome。""Excusemycuriosity，"
　　saidI，"ifIinquirewhatmayinduceyoutocomeandsleepinthismeadow？""Totellyouthetruth，"answeredhe，"Iamabadsleeper。""Praypardonme，"saidI，"ifItellyouthatIneversawonesleepmoreheartily。""IfIdidso，"
　　saidtheindividual，"Iambeholdentothismeadowandthisbook；butIamtalkingriddles，andwillexplainmyself。I
　　amtheownerofaveryprettyproperty，ofwhichthisvalleyformspart。Someyearsago，however，upstartedapersonwhosaidthepropertywashis；alawsuitensued，andIwasonthebrinkoflosingmyall，when，mostunexpectedly，thesuitwasdeterminedinmyfavour。Owing，however，totheanxietytowhichmymindhadbeensubjectedforseveralyears，mynerveshadbecometerriblyshaken；andnosoonerwasthetrialterminatedthansleepforsookmypillow。Isometimespassednightswithoutclosinganeye；Itookopiates，buttheyratherincreasedthanalleviatedmymalady。Aboutthreeweeksagoafriendofmineputthisbookintomyhand，andadvisedmetotakeiteverydaytosomepleasantpartofmyestate，andtryandreadapageortwo，assuringme，ifI
　　did，thatIshouldinfalliblyfallasleep。Itookhisadvice，andselectingthisplace，whichIconsideredthepleasantestpartofmyproperty，Icame，andlyingdown，commencedreadingthebook，andbeforefinishingapagewasinadeadslumber。EverydaysincethenIhaverepeatedtheexperiment，andeverytimewithequalsuccess。Iamasingleman，withoutanychildren；andyesterdayImademywill，inwhich，intheeventofmyfriend’ssurvivingme，Ihavelefthimallmyfortune，ingratitudeforhishavingprocuredformethemostinvaluableofallblessings—sleep。"