"The Ceiriog, sir."

"The Ceiriog," said I; "the Ceiriog!"

"Did you ever hear the name before, sir?"

"I have heard of the Eos Ceiriog," said I; "the Nightingale of Ceiriog."

"That was Huw Morris, sir; he was called the Nightingale of Ceiriog."

"Did he live hereabout?"

"Oh no, sir; he lived far away up towards the head of the valley, at a
place called Pont y Meibion."

"Are you acquainted with his works?" said I.

"Oh yes, sir, at least with some of them. I have read the Marwnad on
Barbara Middleton; and likewise the piece on Oliver and his men. Ah, it
is a funny piece that--he did not like Oliver nor his men."

"Of what profession are you?" said I; "are you a schoolmaster or
apothecary?"

"Neither, sir, neither; I am merely a poor shoemaker."

"You know a great deal for a shoemaker," said I.

"Ah, sir; there are many shoemakers in Wales who know much more than I."

"But not in England," said I. "Well, farewell."

"Farewell, sir. When you have any boots to mend or shoes, sir--I shall
be happy to serve you."

"I do not live in these parts," said I.

"No, sir; but you are coming to live here."

"How do you know that?" said I.

"I know it very well, sir; you left these parts very young, and went far
away--to the East Indies, sir, where you made a large fortune in the
medical line, sir; you are now coming back to your own valley, where you
will buy a property, and settle down, and try to recover your language,
sir, and your health, sir; for you are not the person you pretend to be,
sir: I know you very well, and shall be happy to work for you."

"Well," said I, "if I ever settle down here, I shall be happy to employ
you. Farewell."

I went back the way I had come, till I reached the little hamlet. Seeing
a small public-house, I entered it. A good-looking woman, who met me in
the passage, ushered me into a neat sanded kitchen, handed me a chair and
inquired my commands; I sat down, and told her to bring me some ale; she
brought it, and then seated herself by a bench close by the door.

"Rather a quiet place this," said I, "I have seen but two faces since I
came over the hill, and yours is one."

"Rather too quiet, sir," said the good woman, "one would wish to have
more visitors."

"I suppose," said I, "people from Llangollen occasionally come to visit
you."

"Sometimes, sir, for curiosity's sake; but very rarely--the way is very
steep."

"Do the Tylwyth Teg ever pay you visits?"