The Romany Rye by George Borrow

The Morning after a Fall -- The Teapot -- Unpretending Hospitality -- The Chinese Student.

It might be about eight o'clock in the morning when I was awakened by the entrance of the old man. "How have you rested? " said he, coming up to the bedside, and looking me in the face. "Well," said I, "and I feel much better, but I am still very sore. " I surveyed him now for the first time with attention. He was dressed in a sober-coloured suit, and was apparently between sixty and seventy. In stature he was rather above the middle height, but with a slight stoop; his features were placid, and expressive of much benevolence, but, as it appeared to me, with rather a melancholy cast -- as I gazed upon them, I felt ashamed that I should ever have conceived in my brain a vision like that of the preceding night, in which he appeared in so disadvantageous a light. At length he said, "It is now time for you to take some refreshment. I hear my old servant coming up with your breakfast. " In a moment the elderly female entered with a tray, on which was some bread and butter, a teapot and cup.