g at Caer-Madoc," said Gethin, when he had
somewhat appeased his appetite. "'Twill come up to Garthowen
to-morrow. I have a present in it for thee, Morva."

"For me?" said the girl, and a flood of crimson rushed into her face.
"I didn't think thee wouldst be remembering me."

"There thou wast wrong, then," said Gethin, cutting himself another
slice.

"Well, indeed, I have never had a present before!"

"I have one for Ann, and Will, and my father, God bless him! And how
is good old Will?"

"He is quite well," said Morva.

"As industrious and good as ever? Dei anwl! there's a difference there
was between me and him! You wouldn't think we were children of the
same mother. Well, you can't alter your nature, and I'm afraid 'tis a
bad lot Gethin Owens will be to the end!" And he laughed aloud, his
black eyes sparkling, and the rings in his ears shining out in the
gloom of the cottage.

Morva looked at the stalwart form, the swarthy skin, the strong, even
teeth, that gleamed so white under the black moustache, the jet-black
hair, the broad shoulders, and thought how proud Ann would be of such a
brother.

They sat long into the night, Sara gathering from the young man the
history of all his varied experiences since he had left his father's
home; Morva listening intently as she cleared away the supper, Gethin's
eyes following her light figure with fascinated gaze.

At last the door was bolted, the fire swept up, and Sara and Morva,
retiring to the penucha, left Gethin to his musings, which, however,
quickly resolved themselves into a heavy, dreamless sleep, that lasted
until the larks were singing above the moor on the following morning.

[1] Sea-maiden.

[2] Spirit Sara.

CHAPTER VI

GETHIN'S PRESENTS

The corn harvest had commenced, and Ebben Owens was up and out early in
the cornfields. Will, too, was there, but with scant interest in the
work. It had never been a labour of love with him, and now that fresh
hopes and prospects were dawning upon him, the farm duties seemed more
insignificant and tedious than ever. Had it been Gethin who stretched
himself and yawned as he attacked the first swathe of corn, Ebben Owens
would have called him a "lazy lout," but as it was Will, he only
jokingly rallied him upon his want of energy.

"Come, come," he said, "thee'st not got thy gown and bands on yet.
We'll have hard work to finish this field by sunset; another hand
wouldn't be amiss."

"Here