Moreover, house rent was dear within the walls of the crowded city, and many, whose business brought them to town, found it cheaper to take up their abode in the quiet hostels of Southwark rather than to stay in the more expensive inns within the walls.

The lights came out brightly from many of the casements, with sounds of boisterous songs and laughter.

The woman passed these without a pause.
Presently she stopped before a cottage, from which a feeble light alone showed that it was tenanted.
She knocked at the door.

It was opened by a pleasant-faced man of some thirty years old.
"What is it ?" he asked.
"I am a wayfarer," the woman answered feebly.

"Canst take me and my child in for the night ?" "You have made a mistake," the man said; "this is no inn.