第91章

’Well，Ihopeyouwillcomewithus，’saidPeter。

’Comewithus，youngman，’saidWinifred；’letme，ontheothersideofthebrook，welcomeyouintoWales。’

’Thankyouboth，’saidI，’butIwillnotcome。’

’Wherefore？’exclaimedboth，simultaneously。

’BecauseitisneitherfitnorproperthatIcrossintoWalesatthistime，andinthismanner。WhenIgointoWales，Ishouldwishtogoinanewsuitofsuperfineblack，withhatandbeaver，mountedonapowerfulsteed，blackandglossy，likethatwhichboreGreduvtothefightofCatraeth。Ishouldwish，moreover，toseetheWelshmenassembledontheborderreadytowelcomemewithpipeandfiddle，andmuchwhoopingandshouting，andtoattendmetoWrexham，orevenasfarasMachynllaith，whereIshouldwishtobeinvitedtoadinneratwhichallthebardsshouldbepresent，andtobeseatedattherighthandofthepresident，who，whentheclothwasremoved，shouldarise，and，amidstcriesofsilence，exclaim-“BrethrenandWelshmen，allowmetoproposethehealthofmymostrespectablefriendthetranslatoroftheodesofthegreatAbGwilym，theprideandgloryofWales。“’

’How!’saidPeter，’hastthoutranslatedtheworksofthemightyDafydd？’

’Withnotescritical，historical，andexplanatory。’

’Comewithus，friend，’saidPeter。’Icannotpromisesuchadinnerasthouwishest，butneitherpipenorfiddleshallbewanting。’

’Comewithus，youngman，’saidWinifred，’evenasthouart，andthedaughtersofWalesshallbidtheewelcome。’

’Iwillnotgowithyou，’saidI。’Dostthouseethatmanintheford？’

’Whoisstaringatusso，andwhosehorsehasnotyetdonedrinking？OfcourseIseehim。’

’Ishallturnbackwithhim。Godblessyou。’

’Gobackwithhimnot，’saidPeter；’heisoneofthosewhomIlikenot，oneoftheclibberty-clabber，asMasterEllisWynobserves-

turnnotwiththatman。’

’Gonotbackwithhim，’saidWinifred。’Ifthougoestwiththatman，thouwiltsoonforgetallourprofitablecounsels；comewithus。’

’Icannot；Ihavemuchtosaytohim。KoskoDivvus，Mr。

Petulengro。’

’KoskoDivvus，Pal，’saidMr。Petulengro，ridingthroughthewater；

’areyouturningback？’

IturnedbackwithMr。Petulengro。

Petercamerunningafterme：’Onemoment，youngman，-whoandwhatareyou？’

’ImustanswerinthewordsofTaliesin，’saidI：’nonecansaywithpositivenesswhetherIbefishorflesh，leastofallmyself。

Godblessyouboth!’

’Takethis，’saidPeter，andhethrusthisWelshBibleintomyhand。

CHAPTERLXXXI

Atafuneral-Twodaysago-Verycoolly-Romanwoman-Wellandhearty-Somewhatdreary-Plumpudding-Romanfashion-Quitedifferent-Thedarklane-Beyondthetime-Finefellow-Suchastruggle-Likeawildcat-FairPlay-Pleasantenoughspot-Nogloves。

SOIturnedbackwithMr。Petulengro。Wetravelledforsometimeinsilence；atlastwefellintodiscourse。’YouhavebeeninWales，Mr。Petulengro？’

’Ay，truly，brother。’

’Whathaveyoubeendoingthere？’

’Assistingatafuneral。’

’Atwhosefuneral？’

’Mrs。Herne’s，brother。’

’Isshedead，then？’

’Asanail，brother。’

’Howdidshedie？’

’Byhanging，brother。’

’Iamlostinastonishment，’saidI；whereuponMr。Petulengro，liftinghissinisterlegovertheneckofhissteed，andadjustinghimselfsidewaysinthesaddle，replied，withgreatdeliberation，’TwodaysagoIhappenedtobeatafairnotveryfarfromhere；I

wasallalonebymyself，forourpartywereupwardsoffortymilesoff，whenwhoshouldcomeupbutachapthatIknew，arelation，orrath