He called to the
landlord, and bade him first have his mule well fed and bedded in the
stable, and then to bring him the very best there was in the house. So
presently a savory stew of tripe and onions, with sweet little fat
dumplings, was set before him, likewise a good stout pottle of Malmsey,
and straightway the holy friar fell to with great courage and
heartiness, so that in a short time nought was left but a little pool of
gravy in the center of the platter, not large enow to keep the life in a
starving mouse.
In the meantime the storm broke. Another gust of wind went rushing by,
and with it fell a few heavy drops of rain, which presently came
rattling down in showers, beating against the casements like a hundred
little hands. Bright flashes of lightning lit up every raindrop, and
with them came cracks of thunder that went away rumbling and bumping as
though Saint Swithin were busy rolling great casks of water across rough
ground overhead. The womenfolks screamed, and the merry wags in the
taproom put their arms around their waists to soothe them into
quietness.
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