J. S. Fletcher

“ And why, pray, master host, shall I be likely to dine in worse places?"
"Every man to his own thoughts," says I.
"Oh, a philosopher!" he says, and falls to slapping his boots with the switch that he carried in his right hand. "Well, well—one meets with strange company in going hither and thither, master landlord. But though I am to dine in the kitchen, I'll wash my hands and face before I sit down to table, if it please you." ”

“ He whips round on me mighty quick, and gives me a look that had thunder in it.
" 'Od's body! " he says. "Am I to dine in the kitchen like a groom, sirrah? Have you no parlour for a man of——"
But there he pulls himself up very short and falls to laughter.
"Faith!" says he, "I like thy humour, landlord; by the kitchen fire let it be, certainly. Egad, I've dined in worse places." ”

“ And now there seemed to be something of the great man in his demeanour.
"Give thee go'd e'en, landlord," says he at last, and strides to the door. But with his hand on the latch he turned, and looked at Prissy. "Farewell, mistress," says he; "God send thee good years," and he passed into the yard, and was lost in the darkness.
But, as they rode out and away down the high road towards the ford, I caught the last trooper by the sleeve as he swung into the saddle, and questioned him of the man that had dined at my kitchen table. He shook my hand off.
" 'Slife! " says he. ”