ROD IN WALES 19 



his head was a dilapidated bowler hat of 

 antique style, surrounded by a deep 

 mourning band, and he wore a black 

 semi-frock coat and a nondescript pair 

 of trousers. The first three inches of 

 a "two-foot rule," which stood out of 

 a long thigh-pocket, and some sawdust 

 in his beard told you what the man's 

 trade was at a glance. He was not, how- 

 ever, only the village carpenter, but the 

 undertaker the figure-head of the 

 funerals which latter are loved by 

 Taffy, and made the occasion for much 

 psalm-singing,merry-making and feast- 

 ing. He was something more a really 

 keen fisherman, one who could make a 

 neat fly-rod as well as use one; and he 

 was, above all, a most stupendous liar. 

 He delighted to relate impossible stor- 

 ies of sporting days and swear to their 

 truthfulness and accuracy. He would 

 repeat them so of ten.of an evening over 

 pipes and beer that he not only began to 



