“Straight to my face, bold as you like… watery indeed!”
Barliman was not best pleased, as Raffles had come to understand, in great detail, over the last hour or so.
Maddoc from the Crossways House had paid a visit, and as usual, following any impromptu encounters with an innkeeper, Barliman was in a dark mood. Inn-keeping seemed to be a very competitive business.
He sensed Barliman was about to loop round the story yet again…
“Another ale please Barliman” the hobbit hoped this might nudge the bar-keeps somewhat tenuous thread of thoughts onto other matters.
“Aye Rufus”
Barliman continued muttering under his breath as he got Raffles’ drink.
“Did I tell you about Albra?” Raffles tried to nudge a little more
“Hmmmm?”
“Said with some training I might be able to help her with a few things… once I’ve proved my mettle”
“aye the Wattles decors not up to much either“ Barliman sniffed, while wrestling with the tap on the cask
“Lizbeth was in the the other week… casting aspersions on my cellar management”
“She said to meet with Atherol Took, at Adso’s camp outside town, just past the crossroads…” Raffles continued desperately
Barliman was still only half listening…
“The Crossways! Hmmmph! … Marlow said last time he was at the crossways, he didn’t feel right for nearly a week… reckoned the ale was to blame, not kept right, and its not like their pies look particularly safe either” Barliman was back on track again… his voice getting louder…
“That Maddoc, strolling in here, acting like a Lord of the Manor... and The Pony was beneath him” Barliman plonked the ale down on the bar, some of its contents escaping over the sides.
“And I’ll tell you another thing Rupert…”
