it is, then," said a pleasant, jovial voice, as a sunburnt man
came through the gap, holding out his brown right hand to Ebben Owens.
The other he stretched towards Will, who had thrown his sickle away,
and was hastily approaching.

No human heart could have steeled itself against that frank countenance
and beaming smile, certainly no father's. There was no questioning
"Who art thou?" for in both father's and brother's hearts leaped up the
warm feeling of kinship.

"Gethin!" said Ebben Owens, clasping the hand held out to him so
genially. "'Machgen i, is it thee indeed? Well, well, I am glad to
see thee!"

And Will, too, greeted the long-lost one with warm welcome.

The reapers gathered round, and Gethin's reception was cordial enough
to satisfy even his anticipations; for he had thought of this
home-coming, had dreamt of the welcome, and had earnestly desired it,
with the intense longing for home which is almost the ruling passion of
a Welshman's heart.

"Here I am," he said, laughing, his eyes sparkling with
happiness--"here I am, ready for anything! 'The prodigal son' has
returned, father. Will you have him? Will you set him to work at once
with your hired servants? For I love hard work, and if I don't get it,
perhaps I'll fall into mischief again."

"No, no," said Ebben Owens, "no work for thee this morning, lad. Thee
must go home with Will, and lighten Ann's heart, for she has grieved
for thee many a time, and I will follow at noon. To-morrow thou shalt
work if thou wilt; there is plenty to do at Garthowen, as usual. Come,
boys, come, on with the work. Nothing must stop the harvest, not even
the homecoming of Gethin."

The men stooped to their work again, but there were muttered comments
on the master's want of feeling.

"Dei anwl! if it had been Will," said one man to his neighbour, "the
reaping would have been thrown to the winds, and we would have had a
grand supper on the fatted calf. But Gethin is different. There's a
fine fellow he is!"

"Yes," said another; "did you notice his broad chest and his bright
eyes? Will looks nothing by him."

And they looked after the two young men as they passed through the gap
together, Ebben Owens taking up Will's sickle and setting to work in
his place.

Meanwhile Gethin, with a sailor's light, swinging gait, hastened Will's
more measured steps towards the homestead.

"Well, Will lad, there's glad I am to see thee!"

"And I," said Will. "No on