It was also rumoured that he meant to return and take a place in the neighbourhood, stand for the county, and be one of the greatest men in South Wales.

In short, the enchanter, the merlin, the open sesame, the omnipotent sorcerer _gold_ was to work the miracles to which Howel had been so long looking forward.

And the gossips were not far wrong.

Gold is truly a famous master-key to all hearts and to all companies.
But whilst the gossips--and who is not a gossip in a country neighbourhood ?--whilst the gossips were settling Howel's future so comfortably and respectably for him, he was dispensing his gold amongst gamblers and the like--paying debts of honour as they are called.
However, Mr Prothero thought it not unlikely that what the gossips said might prove true, and was therefore tolerably comfortable about his spoilt pet, Netta.

When his anger and her pouting had subsided, matters went on much as usual for a time at the farm.