Wild Wales — Chapter 75: Inn at Mallwydd
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.
CHAPTER LXXVI
Mallwydd and its Church—Sons of Shoemakers—Village Inn—Dottings.
