'Go to them and say a gentleman, who has ridden far, and fasted since seven this morning, requests permission to sit at their table.

A quarter of venison and a collop or two among four!' he continued, in a tone of extreme disgust, 'It is intolerable! And advocates! Why, at that rate, the King of France should eat a whole buck, and rise hungry! Don't you agree with me, sir ?' he continued, turning on me and putting the question abruptly.
He was so comically and yet so seriously angry, and looked so closely at me as he spoke, that I hastened to say I agreed with him perfectly.
'Yet you eat cheese, sir!' he retorted irritably.
I saw that, not withstanding the simplicity of his dress, he was a gentleman, and so, forbearing to take offence, I told him plainly that my purse being light I travelled rather as I could than as I would.
'Is it so ?' he answered hastily.

'Had I known that, I would have joined you in the cheese! After all, I would rather fast with a gentleman, than feast with a churl.

But it is too late now.

Seeing you mix the fodder, I thought your pockets were full.' 'The nag is tired, and has done its best,' I answered.
He looked at me curiously, and as though he would say more.