"Rum," repeated the stranger. "And will the other gentleman originate a sentiment."

     "Rum," said Mr. Wopsle.

     "Three Rums!" cried the stranger, calling to the landlord. "Glasses round!"

     "This other gentleman," observed Joe, by way of introducing Mr. Wopsle, "is a gentleman that you would like to hear give it out. Our clerk at church."

     "Aha!" said the stranger, quickly, and cocking his eye at me. "The lonely church, right out on the marshes, with graves round it!"

     "That's it," said Joe.

     The stranger, with a comfortable kind of grunt over his pipe, put his legs up on the settle that he had to himself. He wore a flapping broad-brimmed traveller's hat, and under it a handkerchief tied over his head in the manner of a cap: so that he showed no hair. As he looked at the fire, I thought I saw a cunning expression, followed by a half-laugh, come into his face.

     "I am not acquainted with this country, gentlemen, but it seems a solitary country towards the river."

     "Most marshes is solitary," said Joe.