e conversation, from which I
generally contrive to extract both amusement and edification, I became
rather tired of this, and getting up, strolled about the little village
by moonlight till I felt disposed to retire to rest, when returning to
the inn, I begged to be shown the room in which I was to sleep. Mrs
Pritchard forthwith taking a candle conducted me to a small room
upstairs. There were two beds in it. The good lady pointing to one,
next the window, in which there were nice clean sheets, told me that was
the one which I was to occupy, and bidding me good-night, and leaving the
candle, departed. Putting out the light I got into bed, but instantly
found that the bed was not long enough by at least a foot. "I shall pass
an uncomfortable night," said I, "for I never yet could sleep comfortably
in a bed too short. However, as I am on my travels, I must endeavour to
accommodate myself to circumstances." So I endeavoured to compose myself
to sleep; before, however, I could succeed, I heard the sound of stumping
steps coming upstairs, and perceived a beam of light through the crevices
of the door, and in a moment more the door opened and in came two loutish
farming lads whom I had observed below, one of them bearing a rushlight
stuck into an old blacking-bottle. Without saying a word they flung off
part of their clothes, and one of them having blown out the rushlight,
they both tumbled into bed, and in a moment were snoring most sonorously.
"I am in a short bed," said I, "and have snorers close by me; I fear I
shall have a sorry night of it." I determined, however, to adhere to my
resolution of making the best of circumstances, and lay perfectly quiet,
listening to the snorings as they rose and fell; at last they became more
gentle and I fell asleep, notwithstanding my feet were projecting some
way from the bed. I might have lain ten minutes or a quarter of an hour
when I suddenly started up in the bed broad awake. There was a great
noise below the window of plunging and struggling interspersed with Welsh
oaths. Then there was a sound as if of a heavy fall, and presently a
groan. "I shouldn't wonder," said I, "if that fellow with the horse has
verified my words, and has either broken his horse's neck or his own.
However, if he has, he has no one to blame but himself. I gave him fair
warning, and shall give myself no further trouble about the matter, but
go to sleep," and so I did.

CHAPTER XXXV

Br