I saw him come whist-
ling behind me, with a bundle tied to the end of a stick,
his travelling equipage. We walk'd by one another for some
time without speaking; at length we join'd company, and
agreed to keep together till we got to our journey's end.
What his designs or ideas were, I know not: the innocence of
mine I can solemnly protest.
"As night drew on, it became us to look out for some
inn or shelter; to which perplexity another was added, and
that was, what we should say for ourselves, if we were
question'd. After some puzzle, the young fellow started a
proposal, which I thought the finest that could be; and
what was that? why, that we should pass for husband and wife:
I never once dream'd of consequences. We came presently,
after having agreed on this notable expedient, to one of
those hedge-accommodations for foot passengers, at the door
do which stood an old crazy beldam, who seeing us trudge by,
invited us to lodge there. Glad of any cover, we went in,
and my fellow traveller, taking all upon him, call'd for what
the house afforded, and we supped together as man and wife;
which, considering our figures and ages, could not have
passed on any one but such as any thing could pass on. But
when bedtime came on, we had neither of us the courage to
contradict out first account of ourselves; and what was ex-
tremely pleasant, the young lad seem'd as perplex'd as I was,
how to evade lying together, which was so natural for the
state we had pretenced to.
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