There had not been such a merry-making at the “Carved Lion” for many a day; this was attributable in the first place to the liberal supply of beer furnished by the farmer who had sold his wheat, and in the second by the presence of Peace, who fraternised with the rustics in a free and easy manner, which to them was quite charming. Bricket knew pretty well when his customers had had enough, and he was, therefore, somewhat anxious for some of them to make a move. Peace was asked to favour them with a little more music――a request he at once acceded to. When he had concluded the landlord touched him on the shoulder, and Peace followed him into the bar parlour. “They’re a merry set of fellows,” said he, “but it’s almost time for them to give over for to-night.” “Certainly,” returned our hero. “I’m quite of your opinion. We’ve had a very pleasant evening――let it now be brought to a conclusion.” “They’ll never go away as long as they hear the fiddle going. I know ’em too well for that.” “Then I wont play any more. Enough is as good as a feast; besides I’m tired, and shall be glad to get rest. “I’ll go in and wish ’em good night, and then retire to my bedroom.” “Don’t do so on my account.” “No, but I shall upon my own.” Peace went back into the parlour, and told the company that he needed repose, and was about to retire; he wished them all good night. There was a vast amount of shaking of hands, and reiterated expressions of gratitude and friendship, after which Peace was permitted to take his leave, with the understanding that he was to join them on the following evening. In less than half an hour after he had retired the parlour of the “Carved Lion” was tenantless. CHAPTER XXI. PEACE BECOMES ACQUAINTED WITH THE LANDLORD OF THE “CARVED LION.” Our itinerant print-seller did not want any rocking that night; he had walked many miles in the course of the day, and was dead beat. He did not wake until morning. Upon leaving his bedchamber he found his breakfast laid in a large apartment on the first floor, called the club-room. In this place the members of two or three clubs were accustomed to hold their weekly or monthly meetings. The room was large, with a bay window at one end and a smaller one at the other. The walls were covered with pictures and prints of various descriptions in dingy and faded frames. Peace was shown into the room by the little maiden who officiated as waitress. She was a rosy-cheeked, bright-eyed girl of about fifteen or sixteen summers. A substantial breakfast was served; this our hero did full justice to, after which he arose and examined the pictures on the walls. While thus engaged the landlord entered to pay his respects to his guest. “The top of the morning to thee, friend,” said Brickett, “I hope you had a good night’s rest.” “Yes, thank you, excellent,” returned Peace. “You’ve got some fairish things here in the way of art,” he added, carelessly.