Howel told him to come again whenever he liked, and accompanied
him as far as the lodge on his homeward journey.
When he reached Glanyravon, he found his mother prepared to receive him
with joyful love. His father came in soon after his return, and greeted
him as he expected, with a very wrathful lecture, which he bore
patiently, and to which he replied as follows:--
'Thank you, father; I am much obliged to you for all your abuse, but I
don't think I deserve it. As I am of age, and a few years past that
period, you must let me have a will of my own.'
'I think you have always had one,' roared the farmer.
'Yes, but not at home, father. I was obliged to run away to get it. But
now I mean to stay at home if you will let me. Gladys is gone away, so I
don't stay on her account.'
'I'm not seure of that. You never stayed on ours.'
'Well, I will now. But I can't promise to give up Netta. I've had enough
of Abertewey, and don't mean to go there any more as far as I can see at
present, and that's all I can say about that matter. As for Gladys, I
suppose I must get her consent and yours to marry her, and when I've got
them you won't object, I suppose?'
'I think you'd best go off to sea again. I don't want any agreements
made here.
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