Page:My people stories of the peasantry of West Wales.djvu/279

 But his words were not pleasing to Joshua Lancoch, who corrected him, saying:

“An old veil females wear must divide you from the face of the Big Man. Indeed, like lead is my heart for you. Over-vain you are to expect too much from your brat. He is not of the Lord’s giving.”

“Sober, Joshua,” said Owen, “speak you out, dear me, there's a wise little man.”

“Well-well, now, ill is my stomach to make speech, but Shan is a miscarrying woman, and a miscarrying woman is dung in the nose of the Man of Terror. Two she miscarried before Dai, Owen bach, and Dai hanged himself to the Fiery Pool in the cowhouse. Ach y fi! Do you be humble, and tempt you the Big Man not overmuch. He is quick to anger.”

Because of this chiding Owen entreated the Lord continually, and he also made sacrifices unto Capel Sion: his possessions got small and he whipped his spirit into