\"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；
