repayment.


"Tis those hard-hearted Saeson,[1] Mr. Owens bâch! They will never
listen to reason, you know," he had argued, "and they are pressing upon
me shocking for payment for the goods I had from them last year; and me
such a good customer, too! I must pay them this week, Mr. Owens bâch,
and you are always so kind, and there is no one else in the parish got
so much money as Garthowen. I will give you good security, and will
pay you week after next, as sure as the sun is shining!"

It was a plausible tale, and Ebben Owens, as usual, was weak and
yielding. He liked to be considered the "rich man" of the parish, and
to be called "Mr. Owens," so Jos went home with the money in his
pocket, giving in return only his "I. O. U.," and a promise that the
transaction should be carefully kept from Ann's ears, for Ebben Owens
was more afraid of his daughter's gentle reproofs than he had ever been
of his wife's sharp tongue.



[1] English.




CHAPTER IV

THE OLD BIBLE