h novels and betting-books were their
sermons, and he longed to take his poor little sister Netta away from
the contamination of such society. But she came downstairs after
luncheon was over, gay and bright in dress and person, and ready for any
amount of frivolity. Her countenance clouded over, when she heard how
soon the party was to be broken up; but when Howel assured her he
should be only a week absent, and that he would take her to town in
June, it cleared again.

Owen took his leave of Abertewey the following morning. Netta whispered
'Give my love to mother,' and had a very large tear in her black eye, as
he walked away, the remembrance of which often haunted him in after
days. Howel told him to come again whenever he liked, and accompanied
him as far as the lodge on his homeward journey.

When he reached Glanyravon, he found his mother prepared to receive him
with joyful love. His father came in soon after his return, and greeted
him as he expected, with a very wrathful lecture, which he bore
patiently, and to which he replied as follows:--

'Thank you, father; I am much obliged to you for all your abuse, but I
don't think I deserve it. As I am of age, and a few years past that
period, you must let me have a will of my own.'

'I think you have always had one,' roared the farmer.

'Yes, but not at home, father. I was obliged to run away to get it. But
now I mean to stay at home if you will let me. Gladys is gone away, so I
don't stay on her account.'

'I'm not seure of that. You never stayed on ours.'

'Well, I will now. But I can't promise to give up Netta. I've had enough
of Abertewey, and don't mean to go there any more as far as I can see at
present, and that's all I can say about that matter. As for Gladys, I
suppose I must get her consent and yours to marry her, and when I've got
them you won't object, I suppose?'

'I think you'd best go off to sea again. I don't want any agreements
made here.'

'I am not going to make any agreements, but as I am your eldest son, and
the only one able and willing to stay at home and help you and mother, I
do not see why you should wish to send me off to sea again, now that I
really would be of use to you. I know that I have not been what I ought
to have been to you hitherto, and my desire is to make up for the past
as well as I can. So, father, you had better take me whilst I am in the
humour, and see what you can make of me. Hit the nail while it is hot,
and don