But allow me to ask whether your business at L--- will not suffer by your spending so much time on the road to market ?" "My wife takes care of the business whilst I am away," said the man in grey, "so it won't suffer much.

Indeed it is she who chiefly conducts the business of the inn.

I spend a good deal of time from home, for besides being a bard and inn-keeper, I must tell you I am a horse-dealer and a jobber, and if I go to Bangor it is in the hope of purchasing a horse or pig worth the money." "And is your friend going to market too ?" said I.
"My friend goes with me to assist me and bear me company.

If I buy a pig he will help me to drive it home; if a horse, he will get up upon its back behind me.

I might perhaps do without him, but I enjoy his company highly.