the soft sunshine and sweet air were grateful to our senses, and it pleased us to be out in the open.
Just beyond Aslackby a wayside inn ycleped "The Robin Hood" invited us with the following lines on its sign-board, though unavailingly, to stop and refresh ourselves there:—
Gentlemen if you think good,
Step in and drink with Robin Hood:
If Robin Hood abroad is gone,
Pray take a glass with Little John.
Noting us stop to take down the inscription, and possibly mistaking our motive, the familiar incident once more took place—a beery-looking passer-by approached us and remarked that he could recommend the tap. We thanked him for his kindness, and jokingly responded that we did not happen to be thirsty just then, but we would bear in mind his recommendation should we ever again be in the neighbourhood. "Not thirsty on such a day as this," he exclaimed with an air of surprise; "why, I be as thirsty as a fish"; but we did not rise to the occasion, and as we drove away the man glanced reproachfully after us, then he disappeared within the building. Perhaps we might have parted with the customary twopence, for the man was civil-mannered, but why should the wanderer by road in England be so frequently expected to have his health drunk by utter strangers? The number of twopences I have already expended for this purpose since I first started my driving tours must be considerable!
Some way farther on our road we chanced upon
