1. "i think that we shall have a heavy fall of snow before long," said the landlord of the little wayside inn, at which i had called to get a morsel of bread and cheese.
2. "very likely it will snow," said i, giving a glance at the dark heavy clouds, and stopping to listen for a moment to the moaning wind.
3. "and in that case the sooner i start the better, for i have a long distance to go, and the light will fail early, in such weather as this."
4. the landlord turned and looked at me, as i began putting on my great-coat. "do you think that it is wise of you to venture across the moor, when it is likely to be so stormy?" said he.[pg 30]
5. "it is a rough road at the best of times, but on a bleak night with snow there is real danger. the trap will take you over in no time when it comes in, or as soon as it is light in the morning."
6. "my friend," said i, "do not think of such a thing. i would not be away from home to-morrow for all the world. it is the birthday of my only little girl, and she would think the day quite spoilt if her father were not there.
7. "i shall step out briskly, and be at home long before dark. it is not three o'clock yet," i added, pulling out my watch.
"well, i wish you a safe journey, sir," said the landlord. "and also, many happy returns of to-morrow."
8. "thank you, landlord," replied i, in the same hearty tone. i shook hands with him, for his face was a beaming and kindly one, and i had known him since i was a boy.
9. as i went towards the outer door, the landlord just behind me, his man darted forward from a dark corner, and began to bustle out in front of me.[pg 31]
10. "get out, you brute!" he said, in an angry voice, as he made a savage kick at something which was crouching in the shadow of the doorstep.
11. an instant after, with a dismal yelp of despair, a forlorn dog slunk away from the door, and ran to hide under an empty waggon which stood in the middle of the road.
12. "get out! be off!" again shouted the man, and he made a pretence of stooping with great fury to pick up a stone.[pg 32] the wretched dog, wild with terror, left his hiding-place.
13. with his drooping tail between his legs, he crept to the gate of the yard, where he again lay down and blinked his great sad eyes at us, licking his hungry mouth as if to beg for food.
14. i was deeply touched at the sight of this poor creature's distress, and i could not help thinking how warm and well fed i was myself, as well as the other two men, while this wretched dog, for no fault of his own, was starving.
15. "poor thing!" i said, and turning to the landlord, added, "do pray let some one bring him a few scraps and bones from the kitchen. i will gladly pay for one good meal for him."
16. "oh no, oh dear no!" cried the landlord and the man, both in a voice of horror. "if we gave him food in this yard we should never get rid of him.
17. "we should have a bother with starving dogs here, all the year round, sir. pray do not give him food here, i beg."[pg 33]
write: a man saw a hungry dog at an inn. he wished to feed him, but the landlord said that he should never get rid of the dog if he had food there.
questions: 1. what sort of weather was it when the man was at the inn? 2. what did the landlord advise him to do? 3. what did the man answer? 4. what did the traveller see outside the inn door? 5. what did he wish to do for the starving dog? 6. what did the landlord and his man say?
