to be over soon. Gwae fi! that it could be next Sunday."

"Well, I will give it out at the prayer-meeting tonight if you like,
and have a special meeting next Sunday."

"Yes," said Ebben Owens, "the sooner I am turned out the better. I am
quite prepared. Perhaps they will take me back again some day, though
I was pretty hard upon Gryffy Lewis when he got drunk, and would not
agree to his being taken back again for months, when the other deacons
were quite ready to forgive him. Well, well! I must live a good many
years yet to repent of all my bad ways, and you must have patience with
me, my little children."

"Well, next Sunday it shall be then," answered the preacher; "and may
God turn the bitter to sweet for you, father bâch."

"Oh, it will be all right for me!" said the old man again, and sitting
under the big chimney after tea, Tudor and Gwil both leaning on his
knees, the old peace and content seemed in some measure to have
returned to him.

The following market day was a trying ordeal to him, but one from which
he did not flinch.

At breakfast no one suggested the usual journey into Castell On, until
Ebben himself called to Magw as she passed through the kitchen.

"Tell them to harness Bowler, and put the two pigs in the car. I'll
sell them to-day if I can."