preceded the dismissal which sent the astonished and deeply-moved
congregation pouring out into the roadway.

Jos Hughes had trembled with fright when Ebben Owens had alluded to his
want of money at the time of Will's entering college, and had expected
nothing less than an exposure of his oft broken promises and the long
delayed payment of his debt; but as the old man proceeded without
allusion to his shortcomings, he had regained his courage, and his
usual smug appearance of righteous peace and content.

"Well!" he said to his fellow-deacons, as they followed the rough road
to Pont-y-fro, "did you ever think we had such a fool for a deacon?"

"'Ts--'ts! never indeed," said John Jones of the "Blue Bell."

"Well, indeed," said old Thomas Morgan, the weaver, "I didn't know we
had such a sinner amongst us; but fool! perhaps it would be better if
we were all such fools."

But no one took any notice of his remark, for he was never considered
to have been endowed with his full complement of sense, though his pure
and unblemished life had caused him to be chosen deacon.

"Well," said Jos again, as he reached his own shop door, "I always knew
Garthowen's pride would come down some day; but I never, never thought
he was such a fool!"