170 IN THE GREEN LEAF 



being in the wood, as the man said. Some 

 one did come by at last, and on being asked 

 if he knew where the person could be found 

 who kept the keys of the gates and the church, 

 he replied, "Well, I bain't werry sartin 'bout 

 it, like ; but if you goos back agin and meks 

 inquirations in the willage, I dessay as you'll 

 find 'em somewheer." 



I thanked him, and passed on to the next 

 little village, where the question, "Can you 

 put me up for the night, and can you let 

 me have something to eat and drink ? " was 

 answered much as follows: "Well, it ain't 

 werry often as we is asked, fur, ye see, this is 

 a bit out o' the track, like; but I'll ask the 

 missus. What would ye like tu eat now ? " 



"Oh, cold meat, if you have it." 



"Well, we ain't, for the butcher wunt call 

 afore to-morrow he on'y cums twice a week. 

 Ah ! here's the missus ; now we shall know." 



Yes, we find we can sleep there ; and for 

 supper, or rather late tea, we can have new- 

 laid eggs and bacon, and tea or coffee, unless 

 we prefer ale or cider : we prefer tea. All is 

 very clean and comfortable, but the same diet 

 for every meal soon becomes monotonous. 



When it got dusk I joined the limited com- 



