'It was
better before the storm though; but it is very good still.'
Then a little pause, and 'Do you know this country at all?' rather
suddenly.
'No, not in the least--that is, I've only had the drive to this place; but
what I did see interested me very much.'
'You will be charmed with it when you know it better--the very place for an
artist. I'm a wretched scribbler myself, and I carry this little book in
my pocket,' and he laughed deprecatingly while he drew forth a thin
fishing-book, as it looked. 'They are mere memoranda, you see. I walk so
much and come unexpectedly on such pretty nooks and studies, I just try
to make a note of them, but it is really more writing than sketching; my
sister says it is a cipher which nobody but myself understands. However,
I'll try and explain just two--because you really ought to go and see the
places. Oh, no; not that,' he laughed, as accidentally the page blew over,
'that's the Cat and Fiddle, a curious little pot-house, where they gave me
some very good ale one day.'
Milly at this exhibited some uneasy tokens of being about to speak, but not
knowing what might be coming, I hastened to observe on the spirited little
sketches to which he meant to draw my attention.
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