w, the dairymaid, with a sigh;
and Morva echoed the sentiment, though she did not give it utterance.

"Yes, 'twas very well," said Neddy; "but thee couldn't do it if thou
hadst the candles."

"That I couldn't, Neddy; nobody but thee could," and the old man was
quite satisfied.

In the early grey of the morning the stray visitors dropped off one by
one, and Neddy, having slept for an hour in his cosy corner, shook
himself awake and betook himself, crooning an old song, once more to
his solitary rambles over the hills. It was not until the sun had well
risen, and the whole remaining party had breakfasted together in the
mill kitchen, that the Garthowen household returned home, leading with
them the lumbering blue and scarlet carts, laden with the sacks of meal
sufficient for the coming year, Tudor following the procession with the
air of a dog who congratulates himself upon having brought affairs to a
satisfactory conclusion. Ebben Owens was already up to receive them,
the big oak coffers in the grain room were swept out, the dry meal
poured into them, and Twm the carter, with white cotton stockings kept
for the occasion drawn over his feet and legs, stood in the coffers
treading the meal into as hard a mass as possible. When they were full
to the brim the heavy lids were closed with a snap, and the Garthowen
cynos was over for the year. Afterwards the work of the farm went on
as usual, but there were many surreptitious naps taken during the day,
in hay loft or barn, or behind some sunny hedgerow or stack.

Gwilym Morris and Will did not return that day, as had been expected.

"Wilt stay a little later, Morva?" said Ann; "they may come by the
carrier at seven o'clock, and I will want to prepare supper for them."

Morva's heart sank, but she made no outward sign; she had been full of
restless excitement all day, and had looked forward to the quiet of the
cottage under the furze bank, and to Sara's soothing company.

All day she had been haunted by the memory of the sailor's hornpipe,
Gethin's flashing eyes, his handsome person, his supple limbs! She
tried to banish the vision and to turn her thoughts to Will, but found
it impossible! and she went about her work in a dream of happiness,
unwillingly recalling every word that Gethin had spoken, every hidden
compliment, and every look of tenderness. She avoided him when he
returned from the fields at midday, she trembled and blushed at the
sound of his name, and w