Ribbs is again allowed to suggest Mare-Slocumb;
and Mr. Masters goes on as he has done for the last forty years,
making the best he can of a decreasing business.
Dillsborough is built chiefly of brick, and is, in its own way,
solid enough. The Bush, which in the time of the present landlord's
father was one of the best posting inns on the road, is not only
substantial, but almost handsome. A broad coach way, cut through
the middle of the house, leads into a spacious, well-kept, clean
yard, and on each side of the coach way there are bay windows
looking into the street,--the one belonging to the commercial
parlour, and the other to the so-called coffee-room. But the
coffee-room has in truth fallen away from its former purposes, and
is now used for a farmer's ordinary on market days, and other
similar purposes. Travellers who require the use of a public
sitting-room must all congregate in the commercial parlour at the
Bush. So far the interior of the house has fallen from its past
greatness. But the exterior is maintained with much care. The
brickwork up to the eaves is well pointed, fresh, and comfortable
to look at. In front of the carriage-way swings on two massive
supports the old sign of the Bush, as to which it may be doubted
whether even Mr. Runciman himself knows that it has swung there, or
been displayed in some fashion, since it was the custom for the
landlord to beat up wine to freshen it before it was given to the
customers to drink.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25