\"Whatlanguagedotheyspeak？\"
\"English，sir；theypridethemselvesonspeakinggoodEnglish，thatistotheWelsh。AmongstthemselvestheydiscourseintheirownPaddyGwyddel。\"
\"HavetheynoWelsh？\"
\"Onlyafewwords，sir；IneverheardoneofthemspeakingWelsh，saveayounggirl—shefellsickbytheroadsideasshewaswanderingbyherself—somepeopleatafarmhousetookherin，andtendedhertillshewaswell。Duringhersicknessshetookafancytotheirquietwayoflife，andwhenshewasrecoveredshebeggedtostaywiththemandservethem。Theyconsented；shebecameaverygoodservant，andhearingnothingbutWelshspoken，soonpickedupthetongue。\"
\"Doyouknowwhatbecameofher？\"
\"Ido，sir；herownpeoplefoundherout，andwishedtotakeherawaywiththem，butsherefusedtoletthem，forbythattimeshewasperfectlyreclaimed，hadbeentochapel，renouncedherheathencrefydd，andformedanacquaintancewithayoungMethodistwhohadagreatgiftofprayer，whomsheafterwardsmarried—sheandherhusbandliveatpresentnotfarfromMineira。\"
\"Ialmostwonderthatherownpeopledidnotkillher。\"
\"Theythreatenedtodoso，sir，andwoulddoubtlesshaveputtheirthreatintoexecution，hadtheynotbeenpreventedbytheManonHigh。\"
Andheremyguidepointedwithhisfingerreverentlyupward。
\"IsitalongtimesinceyouhaveseenanyoftheseGwyddeliaid？\"
\"Abouttwomonths，sir，andthenaterriblefrighttheycausedme。\"
\"Howwasthat？\"
\"Iwilltellyou，sir；IhadbeenacrosstheBerwyntocarryhomeapieceofweavingworktoapersonwhoemploysme。ItwasnightasIreturned，andwhenIwasabouthalfwaydownthehill，ataplacewhichiscalledAlltPaddy，becausetheGwyddelodareinthehabitoftakinguptheirquartersthere，Icameuponagangofthem，whohadcomethereandcampedandlightedtheirfire，whilstIwasontheothersideofthehill。Therewerenearlytwentyofthem，menandwomen，andamongsttherestwasamanstandingnakedinatubofwaterwithtwowomenstrokinghimdownwithclouts。Hewasalargefierce—lookingfellowandhisbody，onwhichtheflameofthefireglittered，wasnearlycoveredwithredhair。Ineversawsuchasight。AsIpassedtheyglaredatmeandtalkedviolentlyintheirPaddyGwyddel，butdidnotoffertomolestme。Ihasteneddownthehill，andrightgladIwaswhenIfoundmyselfsafeandsoundatmyhouseinLlangollen，withmymoneyinmypocket，forI
hadseveralshillingsthere，whichthemanacrossthehillhadpaidmefortheworkwhichIhaddone。\"
CHAPTERXV
TheTurfTavern—Don’tUnderstand—TheBestWelsh—TheMaidsofMerion—OldandNew—Ruthyn—TheAshYggdrasill。
WEnowemergedfromtheroughandnarrowwaywhichwehadfollowedforsomemiles，upononemuchwider，andmorecommodious，whichmyguidetoldmewasthecoachroadfromWrexhamtoRuthyn，andgoingonalittlefartherwecametoanavenueoftreeswhichshadedtheroad。Itwaschieflycomposedofash，sycamoreandbirch，andlookeddelightfullycoolandshady。Iaskedmyguideifitbelongedtoanygentleman’shouse。Hetoldmethatitdidnot，buttoapublic—house，calledTafarnTywarch，whichstoodneartheend，alittlewayofftheroad。\"WhyisitcalledTafarnTywarch？\"
saidI，struckbythenamewhichsignifies\"thetavernofturf。\"
\"Itwascalledso，sir，\"saidJohn，\"becauseitwasoriginallymerelyaturfhovel，thoughatpresentitconsistsofgoodbrickandmortar。\"
\"Canwebreakfastthere，\"saidI，\"forIfeelbothhungryandthirsty？\"
\"Ohyes，sir，\"saidJohn，\"Ihaveheardthereisgoodcheeseandcwrwthere。\"
Weturnedofftothe\"tafarn，\"whichwasadecentpublic—houseofratheranantiquatedappearance。Weenteredasandedkitchen，andsatdownbyalargeoakentable。\"Pleasetobringussomebread，cheeseandale，\"saidIinWelshtoanelderlywoman，whowasmovingabout。
\"Sar？\"saidshe。
\"Bringussomebread，cheeseandale，\"IrepeatedinWelsh。
\"Idonotunderstandyou，sar，\"saidsheinEnglish。
\"AreyouWelsh？\"saidIinEnglish。
\"Yes，IamWelsh！\"
\"AndcanyouspeakWelsh？\"
\"Ohyes，andthebest。\"
\"ThenwhydidyounotbringwhatIaskedfor？\"
\"BecauseIdidnotunderstandyou。\"
\"Tellher，\"saidItoJohnJones，\"tobringussomebread，cheeseandale。\"
\"Come，aunt，\"saidJohn，\"bringusbreadandcheeseandaquartofthebestale。\"
Thewomanlookedasifshewasgoingtoreplyinthetongueinwhichheaddressedher，thenfaltered，andatlastsaidinEnglishthatshedidnotunderstand。
\"Now，\"saidI，\"youarefairlycaught：thismanisaWelshman，andmoreoverunderstandsnolanguagebutWelsh。\"
\"Thenhowcanheunderstandyou？\"saidshe。
\"BecauseIspeakWelsh，\"saidI。
\"ThenyouareaWelshman？\"saidshe。
\"NoIamnot，\"saidI，\"IamEnglish。\"
\"SoIthought，\"saidshe，\"andonthataccountIcouldnotunderstandyou。\"
\"Youmeanthatyouwouldnot，\"saidI。\"Nowdoyouchoosetobringwhatyouarebidden？\"
\"Come，aunt，\"saidJohn，\"don’tbesillyandcenfigenus，butbringthebreakfast。\"
Thewomanstoodstillforamomentortwo，andthenbitingherlipswentaway。
\"Whatmadethewomanbehaveinthismanner？\"saidItomycompanion。
\"Oh，shewascenfigenus，sir，\"hereplied；\"shedidnotlikethatanEnglishgentlemanshouldunderstandWelsh；shewasenvious；youwillfindadozenortwolikeherinWales；butletushopenotmore。\"
Presentlythewomanreturnedwiththebread，cheeseandale，whichsheplacedonthetable。
\"Oh，\"saidI，\"youhavebroughtwhatwasbidden，thoughitwasnevermentionedtoyouinEnglish，whichshowsthatyourpretendingnottounderstandwasallasham。Whatmadeyoubehaveso？\"
\"WhyIthought，\"saidthewoman，\"thatnoEnglishmancouldspeakWelsh，thathistonguewastooshort。\"
\"Yourhavingthoughtso，\"saidI，\"shouldnothavemadeyoutellafalsehood，sayingthatyoudidnotunderstand，whenyouknewthatyouunderstoodverywell。Seewhatadisgracefulfigureyoucut。\"
\"Icutnodisgracedfigure，\"saidthewoman：\"afterall，whatrighthavetheEnglishtocomeherespeakingWelsh，whichbelongstotheWelshalone，whoinfactaretheonlypeoplethatunderstandit。\"
\"AreyousurethatyouunderstandWelsh？\"saidI。
\"Ishouldthinkso，\"saidthewoman，\"forIcomefromtheValeofClwyd，wheretheyspeakthebestWelshintheworld，theWelshoftheBible。\"
\"WhatdotheycallasalmonintheValeofClwyd？\"saidI。
\"Whatdotheycallasalmon？\"saidthewoman。\"Yes，\"saidI，\"whentheyspeakWelsh。\"
\"Theycallit—theycallit—whyasalmon。\"
\"PrettyWelsh！\"saidI。\"IthoughtyoudidnotunderstandWelsh。\"
\"Well，whatdoyoucallit？\"saidthewoman。
\"Eawg，\"saidI，\"thatisthewordforasalmoningeneral—buttherearewordsalsotoshowthesex—whenyouspeakofamalesalmonyoushouldsaycemyw，whenofafemalehwyfell。\"
\"Ineverheardthewordsbefore，\"saidthewoman，\"nordoIbelievethemtobeWelsh。\"
\"Yousayso，\"saidI，\"becauseyoudonotunderstandWelsh。\"
\"InotunderstandWelsh！\"saidshe。\"I’llsoonshowyouthatIdo。
Come，youhaveaskedmethewordforsalmoninWelsh，Iwillnowaskyouthewordforsalmon—trout。Nowtellmethat，andIwillsayyouknowsomethingofthematter。\"
\"Atinkerofmycountrycantellyouthat，\"saidI。\"Thewordforsalmon—troutisgleisiad。\"
Thecountenanceofthewomanfell。
\"Iseeyouknowsomethingaboutthematter，\"saidshe；\"thereareveryfewhereabouts，thoughsoneartotheValeofClwyd，whoknowthewordforsalmon—troutinWelsh，Ishouldn’thaveknownthewordmyself，butforthesongwhichsays：
Glanyw’rgleisiadynyllyn。\"
\"Andwhowrotethatsong？\"saidI。
\"Idon’tknow，\"saidthewoman。
\"ButIdo，\"saidI；\"oneLewisMorriswroteit。’
\"Oh，\"saidshe，\"IhaveheardallaboutHuwMorris。\"
\"IwasnottalkingofHuwMorris，\"saidI，\"butLewisMorris，wholivedlongafterHuwMorris。HewasanativeofAnglesea，butresidedforsometimeinMerionethshire，andwhilsttherecomposedasongabouttheMorwynionbroMeirionyddorthelassesofCountyMerionofagreatmanystanzas，inoneofwhichthegleisiadismentioned。HereitisinEnglish：
\"’Fullfairthegleisiadintheflood，Whichsparkles’neaththesummer’ssun，AndfairthethrushingreenabodeSpreadinghiswingsinsportivefun，Butfairerlookiftruthbespoke，ThemaidsofCountyMerion。’\"
Thewomanwasabouttoreply，butIinterruptedher。
\"There，\"saidI，\"prayleaveustoourbreakfast，andthenexttimeyoufeelinclinedtotalknonsenseaboutnoEnglishman’sunderstandingWelsh，orknowinganythingofWelshmatters，rememberthatitwasanEnglishmanwhotoldyoutheWelshwordforsalmon，andlikewisethenameoftheWelshmanwhowrotethesonginwhichthegleisiadismentioned。\"
Thealewasverygoodandsowerethebreadandcheese。ThealeindeedwassogoodthatIorderedasecondjug。Observingalargeantiqueportraitoverthemantel—pieceIgotuptoexamineit。Itwasthatofagentlemaninalongwig，andunderneathitwaspaintedinredletters\"SirWatkinWynn：1742。\"ItwasdoubtlesstheportraitoftheSirWatkinwho，in1745wascommittedtothetowerundersuspicionofbeingsuspectedofholdingJacobiteopinions，andfavouringthePretender。Theportraitwasaverypoordaub，butIlookedatitlongandattentivelyasamemorialofWalesatacriticalandlongpasttime。
Whenwehaddispatchedthesecondjugofale，andIhadpaidthereckoning，wedepartedandsooncametowherestoodaturnpikehouseatajunctionoftworoads，toeachofwhichwasagate。
\"Now，sir，\"saidJohnJones，\"thewaystraightforwardisthefforddnewydd，andtheoneonourrighthandisthehenffordd。
Whichshallwefollow，thenewortheold？\"
\"ThereisaproverbintheGerniweg，\"saidI，\"whichwasthelanguageofmyforefathers，saying，’ne’erleavetheoldwayforthenew，’wewillthereforegobythehenffordd。\"
\"Verygood，sir，\"saidmyguide，\"thatisthepathIalwaysgo，foritistheshortest。\"Soweturnedtotherightandfollowedtheoldroad。Perhaps，however，itwouldhavebeenwellhadwegonebythenew，forthehenfforddwasaverydullanduninterestingroad，whereasthefforddnewydd，asIlongsubsequentlyfound，isoneofthegrandestpassesinWales。Afterwehadwalkedashortdistancemyguidesaid，\"Now，sir，ifyouwillturnalittlewaytothelefthandIwillshowyouahouse，builtintheoldstyle，suchahouse，sir，asIdaresaytheoriginalturftavernwas。\"Thenleadingmealittlewayfromtheroadheshowedme，underahollowbank，asmallcottagecoveredwithflags。
\"Thatisahouse，sir，builtynyrhendullintheoldfashion，ofearth，flagsandwattlesandinonenight。Itwasthecustomofoldwhenahousewastobebuilt，forthepeopletoassemble，andtobuilditinonenightofcommonmaterials，closeathand。Thecustomisnotquitedead。Iwasatthebuildingofthismyself，andamerrybuildingitwas。Thecwrwdapassedquicklyaboutamongthebuilders，Iassureyou。\"Wereturnedtotheroad，andwhenwehadascendedahill，mycompaniontoldmethatifIlookedtotheleftIshouldseetheValeofClwyd。
Ilookedandperceivedanextensivevalleypleasantlydottedwithtreesandfarm—houses，andboundedonthewestbyarangeofhills。
\"Itisafinevalley，sir，\"saidmyguide，\"fourmileswideandtwentylong，andcontainstherichestlandinallWales。Cheesemadeinthatvalley，sir，fetchesapennyapoundmorethancheesemadeinanyothervalley。\"
\"Andwhoownsit？\"saidI。
\"Variousarethepeoplewhoownit，sir，butSirWatkinownsthegreaterpart。\"
Wewenton，passedbyavillagecalledCraigVychan，wherewesawanumberofwomenwashingatafountain，andbyagentledescentsoonreachedtheValeofClwyd。
Afterwalkingaboutamilewelefttheroadandproceededbyafootpathacrosssomemeadows。Themeadowsweregreenanddelightfulandwereintersectedbyabeautifulstream。Treesinabundanceweregrowingabout，someofwhichwereoaks。Wepassedbyalittlewhitechapelwithasmallgraveyardbeforeit，whichmyguidetoldmebelongedtotheBaptists，andshortlyafterwardsreachedRuthyn。
WewenttoaninncalledtheCrossedFoxes，wherewerefreshedourselveswithale。Wethensalliedforthtolookabout，afterI
hadorderedaducktobegotreadyfordinner，atthreeo’clock。
RuthynstandsonahillabovetheClwyd，whichinthesummerisamerebrook，butinthewinteraconsiderablestream，beingthenfedwiththewaterytributeofahundredhills。Aboutthreemilestothenorthisarangeofloftymountains，dividingtheshireofDenbighfromthatofFlint，amongstwhich，almostparallelwiththetown，andliftingitsheadhighabovetherest，isthemightyMoelVamagh，themotherheap，whichIhadseenfromChester。Ruthynisadulltown，butitpossessedplentyofinteresttome，forasI
strolledwithmyguideaboutthestreetsIrememberedthatIwastreadingthegroundwhichthewildbandsofGlendowerhadtrod，andwherethegreatstrugglecommenced，whichforfourteenyearsconvulsedWales，andforsometimeshookEnglandtoitscentre。
AfterIhadsatisfiedmyselfwithwanderingaboutthetownweproceededtothecastle。
Theoriginalcastlesufferedterriblyinthecivilwars；itwasheldforwretchedCharles，andwasnearlydemolishedbythecannonofCromwell，whichwereplantedonahillabouthalfamiledistant。Thepresentcastleispartlymodernandpartlyancient。
ItbelongstoafamilyofthenameofW—whoresideinthemodernpart，andwhohavethecharacterofbeingkind，hospitableandintellectualpeople。Weonlyvisitedtheancientpart，overwhichwewereshownbyawoman，whohearingusspeakingWelsh，spokeWelshherselfduringthewholetimeshewasshowingusabout。Sheshowedusdarkpassages，agloomyapartmentinwhichWelshkingsandgreatpeoplehadbeenoccasionallyconfined，thatstrangememorialofthegoodoldtimes，adrowningpit，andalargeprisonroom，inthemiddleofwhichstoodasingular—lookingcolumn，scrawledwithoddcharacters，whichhadofyorebeenusedforawhipping—post，anothermemorialofthegoodoldbaronialtimes，sodeartoromancereadersandmindsofsensibility。Amongstotherthingswhichourconductorshoweduswasanimmenseonenorash；itstoodinoneofthecourtsandmeasured，asshesaid，pedwaryhaneroladdyneigwmpas，orfouryardsandahalfingirth。AsI
gazedonthemightytreeIthoughtoftheAshYggdrasillmentionedintheVoluspa，orprophecyofVola，thatvenerablepoemwhichcontainssomuchrelatingtothemythologyoftheancientNorse。
Wereturnedtotheinnanddined。Theduckwascapital，andI
askedJohnJonesifhehadevertastedabetter。\"Never，sir，\"
saidhe，\"fortotellyouthetruth，Inevertastedaduckbefore。\"
\"Rathersingular，\"saidI。\"What，thatIshouldnothavetastedduck？Oh，sir，thesingularityis，thatIshouldnowbetastingduck。DuckinWales，sir，isnotfareforpoorweavers。ThisisthefirstduckIevertasted，andthoughInevertasteanother，asIprobablynevershall，Imayconsidermyselfafortunateweaver，forIcannowsayIhavetastedduckonceinmylife。FewweaversinWalesareeverabletosayasmuch。\"
CHAPTERXVI
BaptistTomb—Stone—TheToll—Bar—Rebecca—TheGuitar。
THEsunwasfastdecliningasweleftRuthyn。Weretracedourstepsacrossthefields。WhenwecametotheBaptistChapelIgotoverthewallofthelittleyardtolookatthegrave—stones。
Therewereonlythree。TheinscriptionsuponthemwereallinWelsh。ThefollowingstanzawasonthestoneofJane，thedaughterofElizabethWilliams，whodiedonthesecondofMay，1843：
\"Ermyn’di’roerllydanneddDrosdymherhiriorwedd，Cwydi’rlano’rgwelybriddAchyfrydfyddeihagwedd。\"
whichis\"ThoughthouartgonetodwellingcoldTolieinmouldformanyayear，Thoushalt，atlength，fromearthybed，Upliftthyheadtoblissfulsphere。\"
AswewentalongIstoppedtogazeatasingular—lookinghillformingpartofthemountainrangeontheeast。IaskedJohnJoneswhatitsnamewas，buthedidnotknow。Aswewerestandingtalkingaboutit，aladycameupfromthedirectioninwhichourcourselay。JohnJones，touchinghishattoher，said：
\"Madam，thisgwrboneddigwishestoknowthenameofthatmoel，perhapsyoucantellhim。\"
\"ItsnameisMoelAgrik，\"saidthelady，addressingmeinEnglish。
\"DoesthatmeanAgricola’shill？\"saidI。
\"Itdoes，\"saidshe，\"andthereisatraditionthattheRomanGeneralAgricola，whenheinvadedtheseparts，pitchedhiscamponthatmoel。ThehillisspokenofbyPennant。\"
\"Thankyou，madam，\"saidI；\"perhapsyoucantellmethenameofthedelightfulgroundsinwhichwestand，supposingtheyhaveaname？\"
\"TheyarecalledOaklands，\"saidthelady。
\"Averypropername，\"saidI，\"forthereisplentyofoaksgrowingabout。ButwhyaretheycalledbyaSaxonname，forOaklandsisSaxon？\"
\"Because，\"saidthelady，\"whenthegroundswerefirstplantedwithtreestheybelongedtoanEnglishfamily。\"
\"Thankyou，\"saidI，and，takingoffmyhat，Idepartedwithmyguide。Iaskedhimhername，buthecouldnottellme。Beforeshewasoutofsight，however，wemetalabourerofwhomJohnJonesenquiredhername。
\"HernameisW—s，\"saidtheman，\"andagoodladysheis。\"
\"IssheWelsh？\"saidI。
\"PureWelsh，master，\"saidtheman。\"PurerWelshfleshandbloodneednotbe。\"
Nothingfartherworthrelatingoccurredtillwereachedthetoll—
barattheheadofthehenffordd，bywhichtimethesunwasalmostgonedown。Wefoundthemasterofthegate，hiswifeandsonseatedonabenchbeforethedoor。Thewomanhadalargebookonherlap，inwhichshewasreadingbythelastlightofthedepartingorb。IgavethegrouptheseleoftheeveninginEnglish，whichtheyallreturned，thewomanlookingupfromherbook。
\"IsthatvolumetheBible？\"saidI。
\"Itis，sir，\"saidthewoman。
\"MayIlookatit？\"saidI。
\"Certainly，\"saidthewoman，andplacedthebookinmyhand。ItwasamagnificentWelshBible，butwithoutthetitle—page。
\"Thatbookmustbeagreatcomforttoyou，\"saidItoher。
\"Verygreat，\"saidshe。\"Iknownotwhatweshoulddowithoutitinthelongwinterevenings。\"
\"Ofwhatfaithareyou？\"saidI。
\"WeareMethodists，\"shereplied。
\"Thenyouareofthesamefaithasmyfriendhere，\"saidI。
\"Yes，yes，\"saidshe，\"weareawareofthat。WeallknowhonestJohnJones。\"
AfterwehadleftthegateIaskedJohnJoneswhetherhehadeverheardofRebeccaofthetoll—gates。
\"Oh，yes，\"saidhe；\"Ihaveheardofthatchieftainess。\"
\"Andwhowasshe？\"saidI。
\"Icannotsay，sir；Ineversawher，noranyonewhohadseenher。
SomesaythattherewereahundredRebeccas，andallofthemmendressedinwomen’sclothes，whowentaboutatnight，attheheadofbandstobreakthegates。Ah，sir，somethingofthekindwasalmostnecessaryatthattime。Iamafriendofpeace，sir，nohead—breaker，house—breaker，norgate—breaker，butIcanhardlyblamewhatwasdoneatthattime，underthenameofRebecca。YouhavenoideahowthepoorWelshwereoppressedbythosegates，aye，andtherichtoo。Thelittlepeopleandfarmerscouldnotcarrytheirproducetomarketowingtotheexactionsatthegates，whichdevouredalltheprofitandsometimesmore。Sothatthemarketswerenothalfsupplied，andpeoplewithmoneycouldfrequentlynotgetwhattheywanted。Complaintsweremadetogovernment，whichnotbeingattendedto，Rebeccaandherbyddinionmadetheirappearanceatnight，andbrokethegatestopieceswithsledge—
hammers，andeverybodysaiditwasgallantwork，everybodysavethekeepersofthegatesandtheproprietors。Notonlythepoorbuttherich，saidso。Aye，andIhaveheardthatmanyafineyounggentlemanhadahandinthework，andwentaboutatnightattheheadofabanddressedasRebecca。Well，sir，thosebreakingswereactsofviolence，Idon’tdeny，buttheydidgood，forthesystemisaltered；suchimpositionsarenolongerpractisedatgatesaswerebeforethetimeofRebecca。\"
\"Wereanypeopleevertakenupandpunishedforthosenocturnalbreakings？\"saidI。
\"No，sir；andIhaveheardsaythatnobody’sbeingtakenupwasaproofthattherichapprovedoftheworkandhadahandinit。\"
Nighthadcomeonbythetimewereachedthefootofthehugehillswehadcrossedinthemorning。Wetoileduptheascent，andaftercrossingthelevelgroundonthetop，plungeddownthebwlchbetweenwalkingandrunning，occasionallystumbling，forwewerenearlyincompletedarkness，andthebwlchwassteepandstony。Wemorethanoncepassedpeoplewhogaveusthen’sda，thehissingnightsalutationoftheWelsh。AtlengthIsawtheAbbeyloomingamidstthedarkness，andJohnJonessaidthat，wewerejustabovethefountain。Wedescended，andputtingmyheaddownIdrankgreedilyofthedwrsantaidd，myguidefollowingmyexample。Wethenproceededonourway，andinabouthalf—an—hourreachedLlangollen。ItookJohnJoneshomewithme。Wehadacheerfulcupoftea。Henriettaplayedontheguitar，andsangaSpanishsong，tothegreatdelightofJohnJones，whoataboutteno’clockdepartedcontentedandhappytohisowndwelling。
CHAPTERXVII
JohnJonesandhisBundle—AGoodLady—TheIrishman’sDingle—
AbGwilymandtheMist—TheKitchen—TheTwoIndividuals—TheHorse—Dealer—Icanmanagehim—TheMistAgain。
THEfollowingdaywasgloomy。IntheeveningJohnJonesmadehisappearancewithabundleunderhisarm，andanumbrellainhishand。
\"Sir，\"saidhe，\"Iamgoingacrossthemountainwithitpieceofweavingwork，forthemanontheotherside，whoemploysme。
Perhapsyouwouldliketogowithme，asyouarefondofwalking。\"
\"Isuppose，\"saidI，\"youwishtohavemycompanyforfearofmeetingGwyddeliansonthehill。\"
Johnsmiled。
\"Well，sir，\"saidhe，\"ifIdomeetthemIwouldsoonerbewithcompanythanwithout。ButIdareventurebymyself，trustingintheManonHigh，andperhapsIdowrongtoaskyoutogo，asyoumustbetiredwithyourwalkofyesterday。\"
\"Hardlymorethanyourself，\"saidI。\"Come；Ishallbegladtogo。
WhatIsaidabouttheGwyddelianswasonlyinjest。\"
AswewereabouttodepartJohnsaid：
\"Itdoesnotrainatpresent，sir，butIthinkitwill。Youhadbettertakeanumbrella。\"
Ididso，andawaywewent。Wepassedoverthebridge，andturningtotherightwentbythebackofthetownthroughafield。AswepassedbythePlasNewyddJohnJonessaid：
\"Noonelivestherenow，sir；alldarkanddreary；verydifferentfromthestateofthingswhentheladieslivedthere—allgaythenandcheerful。Iremembertheladies，sir，particularlythelast，wholivedbyherselfafterhercompaniondied。Shewasagoodlady，andverykindtothepoor；whentheycametohergatetheywereneversentawaywithoutsomethingtocheerthem。Shewasagrandladytoo—keptgrandcompany，andusedtobedrawnaboutinacoachbyfourhorses。Butshetooisgone，andthehouseiscoldandempty；nofireinit，sir；nofurniture。Therewasanauctionafterherdeath；andagrandauctionitwasandlastedfourdays。
Oh，whatathrongofpeopletherewas，someofwhomcamefromagreatdistancetobuythecuriousthings，ofwhichtherewereplenty。\"
