respectable. Good ladies from Ireland and the north of England
liked to stay there on their way to Bath. While the landlady could
not expect every conversation that took place under her roof to
be perfectly innocent, she did not want the inn to get a bad
name. Tom and his half-naked companion must go before they
harmed her reputation.
The landlady had picked up a heavy kitchen pot and was just
about to go upstairs when Tom came in, asking for some clothes.
As they stood there, the landlord arrived, calling the lady upstairs
all the bad names he could think of.
Tom hit the landlord, the landlady lifted her pot to hit Tom,
and at this moment Partridge walked in, glad to find Tom again.
Seeing the danger, Partridge caught hold of the landlady's arm.
She turned and knocked him to the ground.
The sound of a carriage and horses outside put a sudden stop
to this bloody war. The landlord and his wife rushed out to meet
the new guests. A young lady and her maid had arrived, and were
taken upstairs to the best room.
Tom rushed to pick up faithful Partridge from the floor, and
sent him outside to wash his bloody nose at the water pump.
Now the naked lady came down, asking about all the noise. She
found a tablecloth to cover herself with.
At this moment, a soldier arrived, demanding beer and
somewhere to sleep. He noticed Tom's lady companion.
'Madam,' said the soldier in surprise. 'Are you not Captain
Waters's lady? Have you had some kind of accident?'
'I have indeed,' said Mrs Waters, 'and I have to thank this
gentleman for rescuing me.'
'Whatever this gentleman has done, my lady' said the soldier, 'I
am sure the captain will thank him for it. And if I can help you,
please command me.'
Hearing these words, the landlady now rushed into the
kitchen, apologizing to Mrs Waters for her behaviour and