e arrived there was Gethin busy with the sacks of corn, there
was the hot kiln upon which the grain would be roasted, while ranged
round it stood the benches which Jacob had prepared for the company.

Already some of the young men and girls from the surrounding farms were
dropping in to share in the evening's amusement and work. Shan, the
miller's wife, was busy in the old kitchen with preparations for the
midnight meal. Ebben Owens had caused a small cask of beer to be
tapped, and Jacob was unremitting in his attentions to it during the
night.

"Garthowen's is worth calling a cynos," he said. "He doesn't forget
how the flour gets into one's throat and makes one thirsty. I'm no
Blue Ribbonite, no, not I, nor intend to be, and that's why I try
always to make the Garthowen cynos a jolly one."

"Yes, yes," said Shan, "you needn't trouble to tell me the reason; I
know it well now these many years."

When Morva entered she was warmly greeted by all. The farm lads
particularly were loud in their welcome.

"Come in, lass, where'st been lately? We haven't seen thee a long
time."

"Well, indeed, I've been on the moor every day with the calves or the
sheep; they are grazing there now."

Everyone said something except Gethin, who only glanced at her with a
smile and a sparkle of black eyes, for he had seen her many times
during the day, and he was already, according to the fashion of his
country, beginning to hide his love under an outward appearance of
stolid indifference; but this did not offend Morva, for it saved her
from the ordeal of curious eyes and broad comments, and Gethin felt
that the tender flower of love was well shielded from rude contact with
the outside world, by the secrecy behind which a Welshman hides his
love, for, in a hundred ways unnoticed and unseen by those around him,
there were opportunities of apprising the girl of his constant and
watchful interest. How sweet was the chance touch of her brown fingers
in the course of the mill work. If her eyes met his, which they did
not often, how easy it was to send a meaning glance from his own! how
delightful to sit beside her in the circle round the glowing kiln!

Robin Davies and Neddy "Pandy" were late, so to beguile the time Jacob
struck up a merry tune, the whole company joining in the chorus. Song
after song followed each other, interspersed with stories, some of old
times and traditions, others of modern adventures at market or fair,
unti