100 FRESH FIELDS 



and then moved off; then came back, implored 

 the outraged bird to resume; then rushed off, and 

 slammed the door, or rather the gate, indignantly 

 behind me. I paused by other shrines, but not a 

 sound. The cottager had told me of a little village 

 three miles beyond, where there were three inns, 

 and where I could probably get lodgings for the 

 night. I walked rapidly in that direction; com- 

 mitted myself to a footpath; lost the trail, and 

 brought up at a little cottage in a wide expanse of 

 field or common, and by the good woman, with a 

 babe in her arms, was set right again. I soon 

 struck the highway by the bridge, as I had been 

 told, and a few paces brought me to the first inn. 

 It was ten o'clock, and the lights were just about 

 to be put out, as the law or custom is in country 

 inns. The landlady said she could not give me a 

 bed ; she had only one spare room, and that was not 

 in order, and she should not set about putting it in 

 shape at that hour; and she was short and sharp 

 about it, too. I hastened on to the next one. 

 The landlady said she had no sheets, and the bed 

 was damp and unfit to sleep in. I protested that 

 I thought an inn was an inn, and for the accommo- 

 dation of travelers. But she referred me to the 

 next house. Here were more people, and more the 

 look and air of a public house. But the wife (the 

 man does not show himself on such occasions) said 

 her daughter had just got married and come home, 

 and she had much company and could not keep me. 

 In vain I urged my extremity; there was no room. 



