108 A HUNT FOR THE NIGHTINGALE. 



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 ; committed my- 

 self to a foot-path ; lost the trail, and brought up 

 at a little cottage in a wide expanse of field or com- 

 mon, 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 pro- 

 tested that I thought an inn was an inn, and for the 

 accommodation 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. Could I have something to eat, then? 

 This seemed doubtful, and led to consultations in the 

 kitchen ; but, finally, some bread and cold meat were 

 produced. The nearest hotel was Godalming, seven 



