Inn at Mallwyd - A Dialogue - The Cumro.
I ENTERED the inn, and seeing a comely-looking damsel at the bar, Itold 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, Isat 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 Ihad 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 Igo and tell him you want to speak to him?
MYSELF. - Oh 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.