Sleep had long held its reign in Fallowfield.
Nevertheless, Mr. Raikes, though blind windows alone
looked on him, and nought foreign was to be imputed
to him in the matter of pride, had become exceedingly
solicitous concerning his presentation to the inhabitants
of that quiet little country town; and while Evan
and—the waggoner consulted the former with
regard to the chances of procuring beds and supper,
the latter as to his prospect of beer and a comfortable
riddance of the feminine burden weighing on them all—Mr.
Raikes was engaged in persuading his hat to assume
something of the gentlemanly polish of its youth, and
might have been observed now and then furtively catching
up a leg to be dusted. Ere the wheels of the
waggon stopped he had gained that ease of mind which
the knowledge that you have done all a man may do and
circumstances warrant, establishes. Capacities
conscious of their limits may repose even proudly
when they reach them; and, if Mr. Raikes had not quite
the air of one come out of a bandbox, he at least
proved to the discerning intelligence that he knew
what sort of manner befitted that happy occasion,
and was enabled by the pains he had taken to glance
with a challenge at the sign of the hostelry, under
which they were now ranked, and from which, though
the hour was late, and Fallowfield a singularly somnolent
little town, there issued signs of life approaching
to festivity.
CHAPTER XI
DOINGS AT AN INN
What every traveller sighs to find, was palatably
furnished by the Green Dragon of Fallowfield—a
famous inn, and a constellation for wandering coachmen.
There pleasant smiles seasoned plenty, and the bill
was gilded in a manner unknown to our days. Whoso
drank of the ale of the Green Dragon kept in his memory
a place apart for it. The secret, that to give
a warm welcome is the breath of life to an inn, was
one the Green Dragon boasted, even then, not to share
with many Red Lions, or Cocks of the Morning, or Kings’
Heads, or other fabulous monsters; and as if to show
that when you are in the right track you are sure to
be seconded, there was a friend of the Green Dragon,
who, on a particular night of the year, caused its
renown to enlarge to the dimensions of a miracle.
But that, for the moment, is my secret.
Evan and Jack were met in the passage by a chambermaid.
Before either of them could speak, she had turned
and fled, with the words:
‘More coming!’ which, with the addition
of ‘My goodness me!’ were echoed by the
hostess in her recess. Hurried directions seemed
to be consequent, and then the hostess sallied out,
and said, with a curtsey:
‘Please to step in, gentlemen. This is
the room, tonight.’
Evan lifted his hat; and bowing, requested to know
whether they could have a supper and beds.
‘Beds, Sir!’ cried the hostess. ’What
am I to do for beds! Yes, beds indeed you may
have, but bed-rooms—if you ask for them,
it really is more than I can supply you with.
I have given up my own. I sleep with my maid
Jane to-night.’
Copyrights
Evan Harrington — Complete from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.
