Inn at Mallwyd—A Dialogue—The _Cumro_.
I entered the inn and seeing a comely-looking damsel at the bar I told
her that I was in need of supper and a bed. She conducted me into a neat
sanded parlour where a good fire was blazing and asked me what I would
have for supper. “Whatever you can most readily provide,” said I; “I am
not particular.” The maid retired, and taking off my hat, and
disencumbering myself of my satchel I sat down before the fire and fell
into a doze, in which I dreamed of some of the wild scenes through which
I had lately passed.
I dozed and dozed till I was roused by the maid touching me on the
shoulder and telling me that supper was ready. I got up and perceived
that during my doze she had laid the cloth and put supper upon the table.
It consisted of bacon and eggs. During supper I had some conversation
with the maid.
_Myself_.—Are you a native of this place?
_Maid_.—I am not, sir; I come from Dinas.
_Myself_.—Are your parents alive?
_Maid_.—My mother is alive, sir, but my father is dead.
_Myself_.—Where does your mother live?
_Maid_.—At Dinas, sir.
_Myself_.—How does she support herself?
_Maid_.—By letting lodgings to miners, sir.
_Myself_.—Are the miners quiet lodgers?
_Maid_.—Not always, sir; sometimes they get up at night and fight with
each other.
_Myself_.—What does your mother do on those occasions?
_Maid_.—She draws the quilt over her head, and says her prayers, sir.
_Myself_.—Why doesn’t she get up and part them?
_Maid_.—Lest she should get a punch or a thwack for her trouble, sir.
_Myself_.—Of what religion are the miners?
_Maid_.—They are Methodists, if they are anything; but they don’t trouble
their heads much about religion.
_Myself_.—Of what religion are you?
_Maid_.—I am of the Church, sir.
_Myself_.—Did you always belong to the Church?
_Maid_.—Not always. When I was at Dinas I used to hear the preacher, but
since I have been here I have listened to the clergyman.
_Myself_.—Is the clergyman here a good man?
_Maid_.—A very good man indeed, sir. He lives close by. Shall I go and
tell him you want to speak to him?
_Myself_.—O dear me, no! He can employ his time much more usefully than
in waiting upon me.
After supper I sat quiet for about an hour. Then ringing the bell I
inquired of the maid whether there was a newspaper in the house. She
told me there was not, but that she thought she could procure me one. In
a little time she brought me a newspaper, which she said she had borrowed
at the parsonage. It was the _Cumro_, an excellent Welsh journal written
in the interest of the Church. In perusing its columns I passed a couple
of hours very agreeably, and then went to bed.