Let him come when he likes; that's fair enough." But Gethin still roamed, and latterly nothing had been heard of him, no letters and no news.

'Tis true, a dim and hazy report had reached Garthowen from some sailor in the village "that Gethin Owens was getting on 'splendid,' that he was steady and saving." Ann had flushed with pleasure, but the old man had laughed scornfully, saying, "Well, I'll believe that when I see it--Gethin steady and saving!" And even Will had joined in the laugh, but Gwilym Morris looked vexed and serious.
"I think, indeed, you are too hard upon that poor fellow,", he said; "he may return to you some day like the prodigal son.

Don't forget that, Ebben Owens--" "Oh, I don't forget that," said the old man; "and when he comes home in the same temper as the son we read of, then we'll kill for him the fatted calf." "Well, I'd like to know what did he do whatever ?" said a girlish voice from behind the settle, where Morva Lloyd (who was shepherdess, cowherd, milkmaid, all in one), was drying her hands on a jack-towel; "what did Gethin do so very bad ?" "Look in his mother's Bible," said the old man, "and you'll see his last sin." "I've put it away," said Ann.

"Twas too wicked to leave about; but he was very young, father, and Gwilym says--" "Oh! Gwilym," said her father, "has an excuse for everyone's faults except his own; for thine especially." There was a general laugh, during which Morva made up her mind to hunt up the old Bible.
"I hope," said Ann, addressing Will, when he had come to an end of his tea, "you told Price the vicar that Gwilym did not spend evening after evening here helping you on with your studies, _knowing_ that you were going to be a clergyman ?" "No, I didn't tell him that, but I can tell him some other time," answered Will, who would have promised anything in his desire to propitiate Ann and his father, and to gain their consent to his entering Llaniago College at the beginning of the next term.
"I'll tell him if he comes here," said Ann.

"I wouldn't have him think that Gwilym Morris, the Methodist minister, spent his time in teaching a parson." "Well," said the preacher, who was standing at the old glass bookcase looking for a book, "you certainly did spring the news very suddenly upon me, Will; you kept your secret very close; but still, Ann, it makes no difference.