t say
that he did not, but got off by saying he understood those two words."

"No, he doesn't understand Welsh," said the other; "no Sais understands
Welsh, and this is a Sais. Now with regard to that piece of job-work
which you and I undertook." And forthwith he and the other entered into
a disquisition about the job-work.

The company soon got into its old train, drinking and smoking and making
a most terrific hullabaloo. Nobody took any farther notice of me. I sat
snug in the chimney-corner, trying to dry my wet things, and as the heat
was very great, partially succeeded. In about half-an-hour one of the
girls came to tell me that my supper was ready, whereupon I got up and
said:

"Gentlemen, I thank you for your civility; I am now going to supper;
perhaps before I turn in for the night I may look in upon you again."
Then without waiting for an answer I left the kitchen and went into the
other room, where I found a large dish of veal cutlets and fried bacon
awaiting me, and also a smoking bowl of potatoes. Ordering a jug of ale
I sat down, and what with hunger and the goodness of the fare, for
everything was first-rate, made one of the best suppers I ever made in my
life.

Supper over I called for a glass of whiskey-and-water, over which I
trifled for about half-an-hour and then betook myself again to the
kitchen. Almost as soon as I entered, the company--who seemed to be
discussing some point, and were not making much hurly-burly--became
silent, and looked at me in a suspicious and uneasy manner. I advanced
towards the fire. The old man who had occupied the seat in the
chimney-corner and had resigned it to me, had again taken possession of
it. As I drew near to the fire he looked upon the ground, and seemed by
no means disposed to vacate the place of honour; after a few moments,
however, he got up and offered me the seat with slight motion of his hand
and without saying a word. I did not decline it but sat down, and the
old gentleman took a chair near. Universal silence now prevailed; sullen
looks were cast at me, and I saw clearly enough that I was not welcome.
Frankness was now my only resource. "What's the matter, gentlemen?" said
I; "you are silent and don't greet me kindly; have I given you any cause
of offence?" No one uttered a word in reply for nearly a minute, when
the old man said slowly and deliberately: "Why, sir, the long and short
of it is this: we have got it into our heads that you