Now Uncle John was a big man, as big as father him self, with a loud voice and a right jovial manner. I doubt not that he found this jovial address a great source of in come to him; for he kept the inn of the Three Cups in gay Taunton Town, and travellers who paused at his door to ask the way or quaff a cup of mead on horseback seldom rode onwards after having had speech of mine host — unless much pressed for time — but dismounted to taste the good cheer of the house, and more often than not remained until the morrow beneath the friendly shelter of the roof-tree. I was to learn all about this in good sooth, as will shortly be made clear to all. Uncle Robert had followed the example of Uncle John, or had perhaps been guided in his choice by the Old adage of which I have spoken; for he 'too became master of an inn in Bridgewater, by name the Cross Keys. It was not such a ?ourishing or important house as the Three Cups in Taunton, nevertheless it was a comfortable and well liked place of rest; and the name of Snowe went far in the district as a warranty for good cheer and fair charges.