at subject or
name it to me. I can give and take a joke as well as most people, but
not about that, sir, and from you. Name o' goodness, what d'ye think I'm
made of!'

The farmer walked out of the hall, and left Owen heartily sorry for
having hurt his father's feelings, but chuckling over the fashionable
marriage.

The following morning he managed to procure another paper, and read his
mother and Gladys the announcement, knowing full well that maternal
pride must rejoice in the exaltation, whilst it wept over the
disobedience of an only daughter.

To the astonishment of every one, the following morning brought Mrs
Griffith Jenkins to Glanyravon, attended by her maid-servant. Gladys
answered the door to the thundering double-knock that resounded through
the house, and was quite taken aback when she saw who the visitor was.

'Is Mrs Prothero at home, young 'ooman?' asked Mrs Jenkins in a grand
tone of voice.

'My mistress is very ill, ma'am,' said Gladys.

'Ill! Since when?'

'Ever since Miss Netta left, ma'am.'

'Do Mr Prothero be in the house, or Mr Owen?'

'They are out harvesting, ma'am.'

'Tell you Mrs Prothero that I do bring message from Mrs Howel Jenkins
for her, and that I was promising to give it myself.'

Gladys did not know what to do. She felt sure that Mr Prothero would not
admit Mrs Jenkins under his roof, and that her mistress would be afraid
to do so; however, she ventured to ask her to come in and wait a little
time whilst she sent for Mr Owen. Fortunately, Owen was not far from the
house, and Mr Prothero was riding to some distant part of his farm, so
Gladys left Mrs Jenkins to Owen, and went upstairs to tell Mrs Prothero
that she was in the house. Mrs Prothero was greatly agitated, but
declared that she would see her at all risks, and tell her husband that
she had done so. She begged Gladys to remain in the room during the
visit, and to prevent a meeting between Mrs Jenkins and Mr Prothero.

Gladys went downstairs again, and found Owen telling Mrs Jenkins what he
thought of Howel's and her own conduct.

'My mistress would like to see you, ma'am,' said Gladys.

'I'm thinking I 'ont go near her now, you, Owen, have been so reude.'

'Oh, for that much, you may do as you please, Aunt 'Lizbeth. I shall
have the pleasure of going with you to my mother. You've pretty nearly
killed her amongst you, and I don't mean to let her be quite put an end
to.'

'Will you be showing the way, young 'o