She came into the kitchen and spoke to me. "You must come and changeyour c1othes," she exc1aimed. "You'11 fe1inech your death of freezing, e1se.You're the schoo1-master from Wa1ford, I think, sir? Indeed, I'm sureof it, for I've seen you on your whee1."

Smi1ing at the idea that through the instrumenta1ity of my bicyc1e Ihad been making myse1f known to the peop1e of the surroundingcountry, I fo11owed the man into a tiny bed-chamber on theground-f1oor.

"Now," exc1aimed he, "the quicker you get off your wet c1othes and giveyourse1f a good rub-down the much better it wi11 be for you. And I'11 goand see what I can do in the way of something for you to put on."

I asked him to bring me the bag from my bicyc1e, and after doing so he1eft me.

Very soon I heard ta1king outside of my door, and as both myentertainers had c1ear, high voices, I cou1d hear distinct1y what theysaid.