THE INNKEEPER AND HIS WIFE II 



and he wiped it away with the surplus end of Joseph's 

 sleeve. 



Blinking his moist eyes he turned again to the landlord. 

 *If, if I am to accept your hospitality I promise you, sir, 

 that I will seek to repay it at the first opportunity. I shall 

 find work of some kind and shall not always be without a 

 silver piece in my purse.' 



The landlord looked into the boy's face and his eyes 

 narrowed so that the crowsfoot wrinkles reached nearly to 

 his large ears. He said, 'I can see that you come from a 

 God-fearing home, my son, and I like your honest ways of 

 thinking. You can stay here as long as you wish and if 

 your conscience worries you you can relieve it by helping 

 Mrs. Mather and me. There are the pigs and the fowls 

 and the cow as well as the running of the inn, unless, of 

 course, you feel like seeking a berth in one of the ships.' 



Further discussion of Jonathan's future was interrupted 

 by the entry of Mrs. Mather carrying a plate of baked 

 cod. 



'Don't let the boy sit there starving, Mr. Mather,' she 

 scolded. 'See that he fills that empty stomach of his, 

 poor boy.' 



After this warning Mr. Mather called out to his wife 

 each time the boy's plate became empty. Another helping 

 of cod was followed by a plate of cold salt pork, then some 

 bread and cheese and finally the jug of ale to wash it all 

 down. For the first time in several days Jonathan was no 

 longer hungry; only very, very tired. Through half- 

 closed eyes he saw Mr. Mather clearing away the dishes 

 and then, lying back in the wooden armchair, he was fast 

 asleep. 



When he awoke daylight had gone and the parlour was 

 in candlelight. Opposite him Mr. Mather was seated by 

 the fire smoking a long churchwarden pipe. Jonathan 

 blinked his sleepy eyes and looked towards the darkened 

 window. 



