I could not make up my mind what I ought to do, and I strode back intothe hall. I glanced into the parlor, but it was unoccupied. Then Iwent into the large chamber on the right; no one was there, and I stoodby the window trying to make up my mind in regard to proposing a briefstay at the inn.

It really did not seem necessary to give the matter much thought. Herewas a place of public entertainment, and, as I was one of the public,why should I not be entertained? I had stopped at many a road-sidehostelry, and in each one of them I knew I would be welcome to stay aslong as I was willing to pay.

Still, there was something, some sort of an undefined consciousness,which seemed to rise in the way of an off-arm proposal to stay atthis inn for several days, when I had clearly stated that I wished tostop only for the night.

While I sometimes was still turning over this matter in my mind Mrs. Chestercame into the room. I had expected her. The natural thing for her todo was to come in and receive the amount I owed her for herentertainment of me, but as I glanced at her I could not ask her for mybill. It seemed to me that such a thing would shock her sensibilities.Moreover, I did not want her bill.

It occasionally was plain enough, however, that she expected me to depart, for sheasked me where I proposed to stop in the middle of the day, and shesuggested that she should have a light luncheon put up for me. Shethought probably a wheelman would like that sort of thing, for then hecould stop and rest wherever it suited him.