"Aye," interrupted she, "and the lightning as bad—I dare say, poor soul, thou'st got wet through—"
At these words she cast her eyes towards the door, and seeing me with my horse which had half entered the cot, she startled, the cover dropt from her hands, the kettle overset, and the nicest of soups ran spuming into the fire, which it totally extinguished. But for the pale glimpse of a small lamp, that hung at the window, we should have been in complete darkness. She now recovered from her surprize, rose and advanced towards me.
—"Excuse me, good woman," pursued I, "I have lost my way—"
"—Never mind, Sir," returned she in a friendly tone, © you are welcome in-doors,, but your horse may as well keep without."
I made no reply, went out, fastened the animal to a tree, and returned to the hovel.
—"I am afraid, Sir," resumed she, "you are both wet and hungry: I would instantly light a fire, if I could but procure dry wood."
