Supper over I called for a glass of whiskey-and-water, over which Itrifled for about half-an-hour and then betook myself again to the kitchen. Almost as soon as I entered, the company - who seemed to be discussing some point, and were not making much hurly-burly -became silent, and looked at me in a suspicious and uneasy manner.
I advanced towards the fire. The old man who had occupied the seat in the chimney-corner and had resigned it to me, had again taken possession of it. As I drew near to the fire he looked upon the ground, and seemed by no means disposed to vacate the place of honour; after a few moments, however, he got up and offered me the seat with slight motion of his hand and without saying a word. Idid not decline it but sat down, and the old gentleman took a chair near. Universal silence now prevailed; sullen looks were cast at me, and I saw clearly enough that I was not welcome. Frankness was now my only resource. "What's the matter, gentlemen?" said I; "you are silent and don't greet me kindly; have I given you any cause of offence?" No one uttered a word in reply for nearly a minute, when the old man said slowly and deliberately: "Why, sir, the long and short of it is this: we have got it into our heads that you understand every word of our discourse; now, do you or do you not?""Understand every word of your discourse?" said I; "I wish I did; Iwould give five pounds to understand every word of your discourse.""That's a clever attempt to get off, sir," said the old man, "but it won't exactly do. Tell us whether you know more Welsh than bara y caws, or to speak more plainly, whether you understand a good deal of what we say.""Well," said I, "I do understand more Welsh than bara y caws - I do understand a considerable part of a Welsh conversation; moreover, Ican read Welsh, and have the life of Tom O'r Nant at my fingers'
ends."
"Well, sir, that is speaking plain, and I will tell you plainly that we don't like to have strangers among us who understand our discourse, more especially if they be gentlefolks.""That's strange," said I; "a Welshman or foreigner, gentle or simple, may go into a public-house in England, and nobody cares a straw whether he understands the discourse of the company or not.""That may be the custom in England," said the old man, "but it is not so in Wales.""What have you got to conceal?" said I; "I suppose you are honest men.""I hope we are, sir," said the old man; "but I must tell you, once for all, that we don't like strangers to listen to our discourse.""Come," said I, "I will not listen to your discourse, but you shall listen to mine. I have a wonderful deal to say if I once begin; Ihave been everywhere."
"Well, sir," said the old man, "if you have anything to tell us about where you have been and what you have seen, we shall be glad to hear you.""Have you ever been in Russia?" shouted a voice, that of the large rough fellow who asked me the question about the Russian war.
"Oh yes, I have been in Russia," said I.
"Well, what kind of a country is it?"
