Part 77 (1/2)

_Woman_.-O yes, sir, they can be civil enough to pa.s.sers-by, especially those who they think want nothing from them-but if you came and settled amongst them you would find them, I'm afraid, quite the contrary.

_Myself_.-Would they be uncivil to me if I could speak Welsh?

_Woman_.-Most particularly, sir; the Welsh don't like any strangers, but least of all those who speak their language.

_Myself_.-Have you picked up anything of their language?

_Woman_.-Not a word, sir, nor my husband neither. They take good care that we shouldn't pick up a word of their language. I stood the other day and listened whilst two women were talking just where you stand now, in the hope of catching a word, and as soon as they saw me they pa.s.sed to the other side of the bridge, and began buzzing there. My poor husband took it into his head that he might possibly learn a word or two at the public-house, so he went there, called for a jug of ale and a pipe, and tried to make himself at home just as he might in England, but it wouldn't do. The company instantly left off talking to one another, and stared at him, and before he could finish his pot and pipe took themselves off to a man, and then came the landlord, and asked him what he meant by frightening away his customers. So my poor husband came home as pale as a sheet, and sitting down in a chair said, ”Lord, have mercy upon me!”

_Myself_.-Why are the Welsh afraid that strangers should pick up their language?

_Woman_.-Lest, perhaps, they should learn their secrets, sir!

_Myself_.-What secrets have they?

_Woman_.-The Lord above only knows, sir!

_Myself_.-Do you think they are hatching treason against Queen Victoria?

_Woman_.-O dear no, sir.

_Myself_.-Is there much murder going on amongst them?

_Woman_.-Nothing of the kind, sir.

_Myself_.-Cattle-stealing?

_Woman_.-O no, sir!

_Myself_.-Pig-stealing?

_Woman_.-No, sir!

_Myself_.-Duck or hen stealing?

_Woman_.-Haven't lost a duck or hen since I have been here, sir.

_Myself_.-Then what secrets can they possibly have?

_Woman_.-I don't know, sir! perhaps none at all, or at most only a pack of small nonsense, that n.o.body would give three farthings to know.

However, it is quite certain they are as jealous of strangers hearing their discourse as if they were plotting gunpowder treason, or something worse.

_Myself_.-Have you been long here?

_Woman_.-Only since last May, sir! and we hope to get away by next, and return to our own country, where we shall have some one to speak to.

_Myself_.-Good bye!