Троє в човні крім собаки
Chapter 12
Didsheknowofanyplaceinthewholevillagewherewecouldgetshelterforthenight?
"Well,ifwedidn’tmindroughingit—shedidnotrecommendit,mind—buttherewasalittlebeershophalfamiledowntheEtonroad—"
Wewaitedtohearnomore;wecaughtupthehamperandthebags,andthecoatsandrugs,andparcels,andran. Thedistanceseemedmorelikeamilethanhalfamile,butwereachedtheplaceatlast,andrushed,panting,intothebar.
Thepeopleatthebeershopwererude. Theymerelylaughedatus. Therewereonlythreebedsinthewholehouse,andtheyhadsevensinglegentlemenandtwomarriedcouplessleepingtherealready. Akind-heartedbargeman,however,whohappenedtobeinthetap-room,thoughtwemighttrythegrocer’s,nextdoortotheStag,andwewentback.
Thegrocer’swasfull. Anoldwomanwemetintheshopthenkindlytookusalongwithherforaquarterofamile,toaladyfriendofhers,whooccasionallyletroomstogentlemen.
Thisoldwomanwalkedveryslowly,andweweretwentyminutesgettingtoherladyfriend’s. Sheenlivenedthejourneybydescribingtous,aswetrailedalong,thevariouspainsshehadinherback.
Herladyfriend’sroomswerelet. FromtherewewererecommendedtoNo.27.No.27wasfull,andsentustoNo.32,and32wasfull.
Thenwewentbackintothehighroad,andHarrissatdownonthehamperandsaidhewouldgonofurther. Hesaiditseemedaquietspot,andhewouldliketodiethere.