home to my yard, and tell Jinny to give him a good meal, and a glass of
beer for you, Dyc. And now we have settled that matter," he said,
turning to the farmer with a business-like air, "I want you to come
home with me, Owens, I won't keep you long, just that you may see a
very nice letter I have had from your brother, Dr. Owen; 'tis all about
your son and his bride, and the home they are coming to."

"But, Mr. Price, sir, you haven't asked the price of the pig," said the
farmer, with a gasp.

"Bless me! no!" said the vicar, "I quite forgot that," and he laughed
heartily at his own want of thought. "But I'm sure it won't be much.
Two or three pounds, I suppose!"

"Two pounds I thought of getting for this one, and two pound ten for
the other."

"Very cheap, too," said the vicar, drawing out the two sovereigns from
his waistcoat pocket.

Leaving the pen in charge of a friend, Ebben Owens accompanied Mr.
Price in a state of joyful bewilderment. To walk up the street, in
friendly converse with the vicar, he felt would do more than anything
else to reinstate him in the good opinion of his neighbours, and as
they passed through the crowded market in animated and confidential
conversation, the hard verdict which many a man had passed on his
conduct was changed into one of pitying sympathy.

"Well," they thought, "the vicar has forgiven him, whatever, and he is
a good man."