Page:My people stories of the peasantry of West Wales.djvu/268



‘I will abate my oppression of Evan Rhiw if he makes a sacrifice of a pig.’”

Evan brought the pig; and he was admitted into Sion, and for two years he sinned not, and there was much pious joy in his way, and he prospered exceedingly.

People said one to another: “Behold now, this man Evan is among the wisest in the Capel. And there’s rich he is.” Moreover he had given over feasting on the Devil’s brew with loose, wild men, and his lips constantly moved in silent prayer, and he had respect for those who sat in the high places.

But as the man’s possessions multiplied, his daughter Matilda got dull and became a cumbersome thing on him: and he charged the Big Man foolishly before the congregation of the Seiet. “Why, God bach,” he said, “is your foot so heavy on me? Am I not religious? Ask you the Respected Davydd Bern-Davydd. Matilda is strange and amazed in her eyes,