“O, I have no doubt of his cleverness,” said I, “from what I have observed of him. Now before I go allow me to pay for your next jug of ale.” “I will do no such thing,” said the man in grey. “No farthing do you pay here for me or my friend either. But I will tell you what you may do. I am, as I have told you, an innkeeper as well as a bard. By the time you get to L— you will be hot and hungry and in need of refreshment, and if you think proper to patronize my house, the — Arms by taking your chop and pint there, you will oblige me. Landlord, some more ale.” “The greatest prydydd,” said he of the bulged shoe, “the greatest prydydd—” “I will most certainly patronize your house,” said I to the man in grey, and shaking him heartily by the hand I departed. CHAPTER XXXVIII Inn at L—The Handmaid—The Decanter—Religious Gentleman—Truly Distressing—Sententiousness—Way to Pay Bills. I proceeded on my way in high spirits indeed, having now seen not only the tomb of the Tudors, but one of those sober poets for which Anglesey has always been so famous. The country was pretty, with here and there a hill, a harvest-field, a clump of trees or a grove. I soon reached L—, a small but neat town. “Where is the — Arms?” said I to a man whom I met. “Yonder, sir, yonder,” said he, pointing to a magnificent structure on the left. I went in and found myself in a spacious hall. A good-looking young woman in a white dress, with a profusion of pink ribbons confronted me with a curtsey. “A pint and a chop!” I exclaimed, with a flourish of my hand and at the top of my voice. The damsel gave a kind of start, and then, with something like a toss of the head, led the way into a very large room, on the left, in which were many tables, covered with snowy-white cloths, on which were plates, knives and forks, the latter seemingly of silver, tumblers, and wineglasses. “I think you asked for a pint and a chop, sir?” said the damsel, motioning me to sit down at one of the tables. “I did,” said I, as I sat down, “let them be brought with all convenient speed, for I am in something of a hurry.” “Very well, sir,” said the damsel, and then with another kind of toss of the head, she went away, not forgetting to turn half round, to take a furtive glance at me, before she went out of the door.