Blair Collection > Rhys Lewis, minister of Bethel

EHYS LEWIS. 403
And they expect everybody else to be the same. I sometimes
think that if the angel Gabriel had sinned as much as I have,
though he got forgiveness, he'd be down in the dumps, occa-
sionally, even in heaven itself. But these town missionaries
never are ; and the common people and the poor respect them
and let them into their houses to give them advice. D'ye see
the plan ? You can speak English properly, and there's no-
thing to prevent your going to 65, Gregg Street and killing
two birds with the one stone. But here's my crib. Don't ex-
pect to find a smart place, for I haven't begun to keep a butler,
yet."
Will took a key from his pocket and let us both into his
lodgings. When he had shut the door we were in perfect
darkness. Will struck a match. On a little table behind
us, I saw a candlestick. Will on lighting the -candle
said,
" I am the last in to-night, or you'd see a lot of candles here.
This house is for all the world — you follow me upstairs, and
don't make more noise than you can help, for everybody is
asleep-^ for all the world like a dove cot. There are eight of us
staying here, every one with a room to himself, and not one of
us knowing yet in which room the landlady, her daughter and
the servant live. But they are here somewhere. Here is my
room. The best thing I can say about my billet is that it's
clean. Make yourself at home while I get the grub ready.
Here's a place for you to wash ; for you shan't eat in my house
without washing, after handling that son of a gun's corpse."
I was astonished. In size the room was only about four
yards square, and yet it contained a bed, a cupboard, two chairs,
H round table, and several other necessuries besides. On the
table was a clean white cloth, with a cup and saucer, two plates
and two knives and forks. By the fire side were a kettle and
a coffee pot.
"I see," remarked Will, pulling off his coat for a wash,
" that you are taking stock. Which would you rather ? Tea
or coffee ?"
" Well, Will bach !" I exclaimed. "And you have come to
this !"
I could hardly help laughing.