to turn
the course of the On. He won't come himself, but he is sending a very
poor substitute to you, sir.'

"'And who is that? You?' said Mr. Price.

"'Well, sir, that is what I wanted to see you about. You know that
although we are Methodists bred and born, both my grandfather and my
great-grandfather had a son in the Church,' and with that he took hold
of my two hands.

"'And your father is going to follow their good example? I _am_ glad!'
and he shook my hands so warmly."

"There for you now!" said Ebben Owens.

"'I will do all I can for you,' Mr. Price said, 'and I'm sure your
uncle will help you.'

"'Oh!' said I, 'if my father will send me to the Church, sir, it will
be without pressing upon anyone else for money,' for I wasn't going to
let him think we couldn't afford it."

"Right, my boy," said Ebben Owens, standing up in his excitement; "and
what then?"

"Oh! then he asked me when did I think of entering college; and I said,
'Next term, sir, if I can pass.'

"'No fear of that,' he said again, 'with Gwilym Morris at your elbow.'
But I'm choking, Ann; give me a cup of tea, da chi.[2] I'll finish
afterwards."

"That's all, I should think," said the preacher; "you've got on pretty
far for a first interview."

"I got a little further, though," said Will. "What do you think,
father, he has asked me to do?"

"What?" said the old man breathlessly.

"He asked would I read the lessons in church next Sunday week.
''Twould be a good beginning,' he said; 'and tell your father and Miss
Ann they must come and hear you.'

"'Well,' I said, 'my father hasn't been inside a church for years, and
I don't know whether he will come.'"

"Well, of course," said the old man eagerly, "I will come to hear you,
my boy, and Ann--"

"Not I, indeed," said Ann, with a toss of her head, "there will be a
sermon in my own chapel."

"But it will be over before eleven, Ann, and I don't see why you
shouldn't go if you wish to," said Gwilym Morris.

"I don't wish to," she answered, turning to the tea-table, and pouring
out her brother's tea.

She was a typical Welsh woman, of highly-strung nervous temperament,
though placid in outward appearance and manners, unselfish even to
self-effacement where her kindred were concerned, but wary and
suspicious beyond the pale of relationship or love; a zealous
religionist, but narrow and bigoted in the extreme. In his heart of
hearts Ebben Owens also hated the Church. Dissent