ring lights. Round
them and over them, in between them and outside them, until it was a
mystery how the bare feet were not burnt and the ragged trousers did
not catch fire. Over and over again he stopped for breath, until the
loud stamping of feet and cries of applause, in which Tudor joined
vociferously, encouraged him to begin again. The music waxed faster
and faster, and Neddy danced with more marvellous rapidity, until he
seemed to lose himself in the intricate mazes of the dance. He was
pale, and beads of perspiration stood on his forehead, when at last,
with a trick of his bare foot, he extinguished every light, and
staggered to his seat in the corner by the kiln.

"Hooray, Neddy! as good as ever he was! Well done, bachgen! fetch him
a 'blue.'"

And Neddy, triumphant and thoroughly enjoying the cheering and _eclat_
of his exploit, leant back panting to recover himself.

"The corn! The corn!" said Ann, turning to the roasting-pan over the
kiln. "We mustn't forget that with our dancing and our singing, and
thee mustn't have another 'blue' yet, Neddy."

"Oh, indeed 'tis wonderful!" said Morva.

"Yes, 'tis a pretty dance indeed," said Gethin, "and something like the
sailor's hornpipe we used to dance on board ship sometimes."

"Canst dance?" said the girl, with wide-open eyes of intense interest.

"Well, yes--I was considered to have a pretty good foot for a fling."

"Oh, dance!" said Morva, clasping her hands, "Ann, Ann, Gethin can
dance!"

"But not in these boots," he said.

"Oh, Gethin, try!" said his sister.

"Well, if I had my shoes. Run, Grif, to Garthowen and fetch them."

And in a short time the boy returned, bringing Gethin's best Sunday
shoes under his arm.

The floor was cleared again, and everybody watched eagerly while the
sailor took his stand, with arms folded across his chest and head well
thrown back.

"Now, Robin, a jig tune for me."

"Yes, yes, the sailor's hornpipe proper," said Robin; and he struck up
the time with spirit, and Gethin began the dance with equal vigour.

The company looked on with breathless admiration, Neddy with critical
nods of approval; but Morva's delight was indescribable. With
eagerness like a child's she followed every dash, every scrape, and
every fling of the dance, and when it was ended, and Gethin returned,
laughing and panting, to his seat on the barrow, alas! alas! he had
danced into her very heart.

"Oh! there's handsome he is!" said Mag