Page:My people stories of the peasantry of West Wales.djvu/197

 Man’s hand is hard on the innocent. My clean heart is bowed with shame. Why does the Big Father punish His child so? Last night I said to Him: ‘Lead me, big Jehovah bach.’ Perhaps, dear me, Adam has inherited the vanity of his mother Silah. Pray for her, you boys bach religious of the Lord.”

Three mournful days passed, then Bern-Davydd said to Lamech: “Go down and examine the dirty clod. Look you for signs if she is indeed with child. The wench may be crafty in the manner of her clothes. And, little saintly son, get you her to admit that others have been with her.” Puah interrupted: “I will go with Lamech, for I am a woman, and do I not understand the signs?” Lissi was at her loom when Lamech and Puah came into the shed.

“Hai, the dirty wench! Walk here and stand forth, you hussy,” cried Lamech.