We Told Him That We Seldom Drank Ardent Spirits; And I
Added, That As For Myself, I Seldom Tasted Even Wine, But Like
Himself, Was Content With The Use Of Water.
He appeared somewhat
incredulous, but told us to do exactly what we pleased, and to ask
for what was agreeable to us.
We told him that we had not dined,
and should be glad of some substantial refreshment. "I am afraid,"
said he, "that I have nothing in the house which will suit you;
however, we will go and see."
Thereupon he led us through a small yard at the back part of his
house, which might have been called a garden, or orchard, if it had
displayed either trees or flowers; but it produced nothing but
grass, which was growing in luxuriance. At one end was a large
pigeon-house, which we all entered: "for," said the curate, "if we
could find some nice delicate pigeons they would afford you an
excellent dinner." We were, however, disappointed; for after
rummaging the nests, we only found very young ones, unfitted for
our purpose. The good man became very melancholy, and said he had
some misgivings that we should have to depart dinnerless. Leaving
the pigeon-house, he conducted us to a place where there were
several skeps of bees, round which multitudes of the busy insects
were hovering, filling the air with their music. "Next to my
fellow creatures," said he, "there is nothing which I love so
dearly as these bees; it is one of my delights to sit watching
them, and listening to their murmur." We next went to several
unfurnished rooms, fronting the yard, in one of which were hanging
several flitches of bacon, beneath which he stopped, and looking
up, gazed intently upon them.
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