FIRST DAY. 381 



ever, I shall have time enough to lodge you in your quarters, 

 and afterward to perform my own journey. In the mean- 

 time, may I be so bold as to inquire the end of your journey? 



VlAT. J T is into Lancashire, Sir ; and about some busi- 

 ness of concern to a relation of mine ; for I assure you, I 

 do not use to take such long journeys as from Essex upon 

 the single account of pleasure. 



PlSC. From thence, Sir ! I do not then wonder you should 

 appear dissatisfied with the length of the miles and the 

 foulness of the way : though I am sorry you should begin 

 to quarrel with them so soon ; for believe me, sir, you will 

 find the miles much longer, and the way much worse, before 

 you come to your journey's end. 



VlAT. Why, truly, Sir, for that I am prepared to expect 

 the worst ; but methinks the way is mended since I had the 

 good fortune to fall into your good company. 



PlSC. You are not obliged to my company for that, but 

 because you are already past the worst, and the greatest 

 part of your way to your lodging. 



VlAT. I am very glad to hear it, both for the ease of 

 myself and my horse ; but especially because I may then 

 expect a freer enjoyment of your conversation ; though the 

 shortness of the way will, I fear, make me lose it the sooner. 



PlSC. That, Sir, is not worth your care ; and I am sure 

 you deserve much better for being content with so ill com- 

 pany. But we have already talked away two miles of your 

 journey ; for, from the brook before us, that runs at the foot 

 of this sandy hill, you have but three miles to Ashborn. 



VlAT. I meet, everywhere in this country, with these little 

 brooks ; and they look as if they were full of fish : have 

 they not trouts in them ? 



