Bags were filled, greetings were interchanged, and the happy troop were sent on their way rejoicing, shouting as they went, "A happy New Year to you all!" When the bread and cheese had come to an end, Ebben Owens had distributed pennies from a large canvas bag which he had filled for the occasion; and in the afternoon, when the calls were becoming less frequent, he sat under the open chimney with an almost empty bag.
Suddenly the doorway was darkened by a portly figure in black.

A genial face glowing from the frosty air, a voice of peculiar mellowness, which always added a musical charm of its own both to singing and conversation; a chimney-pot hat not of the newest, his black clerical coat uncovered by greatcoat or cloak, a strong knobbed walking-stick in the right hand, while the finger and thumb of the left hand were generally tightly closed on a pinch of snuff, well-shined creaking shoes, completed the costume of the visitor, who was no other than Mr.Price, the vicar of Castell On.
"I saw the children coming to the back door, and I am come with them," said the vicar as he entered, pointing with his stick to a queue of children in the yard.

"How do you do, Owens ?" and he shook hands warmly with the old man, who rose hurriedly to greet his visitor.
"Caton pawb, Mr.Price!" he said, flinging his remaining pence into the yard, where the children scrambled for them.

"Come in, sir, come in," and he opened the door of the best kitchen, where the rest of the family were sitting in the glow of the culm fire.
Will started to his feet, exclaiming, "Mr.Price!" and for a moment he hesitated whether to speak in English or in Welsh, but the visitor settled the matter by adhering to his mother-tongue.
Ann rose, calm and dignified, and held out her hand without much empressement.

Mr.Price was a clergyman, and a little antagonism awoke at once in her faithful bigoted heart.
"My husband," she said, pointing to Gwilym, who flung away his book and came forward laughing.
"My dear girl," he said, "although Mr.Price and I work apart on Sundays, we meet continually in the week, and need no introduction, I think." Mr.Price joined in the laugh, and shook hands warmly with the preacher and Will, and the conversation soon flowed easily.