Page:My people stories of the peasantry of West Wales.djvu/283

 Owen and Shan bent their backs and tilled and turned the soil, but they reaped less than they sowed. Lissi Mari became a servant-maid on Abel’s farm (which is on the sea side of the moor). Before the term of her hire was over she returned to her father’s house.

“Lissi Mari is carrying her cross,” Shan mourned.

“We will keep this a secret from my son,” said Owen. “Very holy must his thoughts be stored.”

Samuel entered College Carmarthen, and Owen sold two sheep so that his son might have clothes that would be for glory and holiness.

“That’s fair, little man,” said Shan. “He must be kept presentable,” and every Friday she killed a fattened hen and had it sent to the house where he lodged.

For all that Owen and Shan did, Samuel was grateful, and he said: “In me they will find their stronghold;” and in the