; the Welsh don't like any strangers, but
least of all those who speak their language.

_Myself_.--Have you picked up anything of their language?

_Woman_.--Not a word, sir, nor my husband neither. They take good care
that we shouldn't pick up a word of their language. I stood the other
day and listened whilst two women were talking just where you stand now,
in the hope of catching a word, and as soon as they saw me they passed to
the other side of the bridge, and began buzzing there. My poor husband
took it into his head that he might possibly learn a word or two at the
public-house, so he went there, called for a jug of ale and a pipe, and
tried to make himself at home just as he might in England, but it
wouldn't do. The company instantly left off talking to one another and
stared at him, and before he could finish his pot and pipe took
themselves off to a man, and then came the landlord, and asked him what
he meant by frightening away his customers. So my poor husband came home
as pale as a sheet, and sitting down in a chair said, "Lord, have mercy
upon me!"

_Myself_.--Why are the Welsh afraid that strangers should pick up their
language?

_Woman_.--Lest, perhaps, they should learn their secrets, sir!

_Myself_.--What secrets have they?

_Woman_.--The Lord above only knows, sir!

_Myself_.--Do you think they are hatching treason against Queen Victoria?

_Woman_.--Oh dear no, sir.

_Myself_.--Is there much murder going on amongst them?

_Woman_.--Nothing of the kind, sir.

_Myself_.--Cattle-stealing?

_Woman_.--Oh no, sir!

_Myself_.--Pig-stealing?

_Woman_.--No, sir!

_Myself_.--Duck or hen stealing?

_Woman_.--Haven't lost a duck or hen since I have been here, sir.

_Myself_.--Then what secrets can they possibly have?

_Woman_.--I don't know, sir! perhaps none at all, or at most only a pack
of small nonsense that nobody would give three farthings to know.
However, it is quite certain they are as jealous of strangers hearing
their discourse as if they were plotting gunpowder treason or something
worse.

_Myself_.--Have you been long here?

_Woman_.--Only since last May, sir! and we hope to get away by next, and
return to our own country, where we shall have some one to speak to.

_Myself_.--Good-bye!

_Woman_.--Good-bye, sir, and thank you for your conversation; I haven't
had such a treat of talk for many a weary day.

The Vale of the Dyfi became wider and more beautiful as I advan