If thou
crave speech with him though, to-morrow being almonsday at the hall, the
poor have free admission, and thou mayest have a sight of him there:
peradventure, as thou art strange in these parts, it will be needful
thou hadst a guide."
"And just ready for the job thyself, I'se warrant," bitterly snarled the
exasperated husband. The storm, long threatening, was about to burst
forth; but the palmer, with holy and beseeching words, soothed for
awhile the angry disputants, at the same time intimating that a guide
was unnecessary, the situation of the house being sufficiently obvious
from whatever quarter he might direct his steps.
The stranger seemed not solicitous of repose, and Giles was too sulky to
inquire his wants. The dame, however, drew a bundle of clean straw from
a huge heap, and threw it beside the hearth. A coarse and heavy rug,
over which was thrown a sheep-skin with the wool innermost, constituted
a warm but homely couch. A horn cup filled with cider and a burnt
barley-cake were next exhibited, of which the palmer made a healthful,
if not a sumptuous repast. Giles growled off to the loft above; and the
dame, caring little for the sequel of her husband's humours, soon found
a resting-place by his side.
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