"Yes, of course," said the old man; "I always sleep like a top. Here's
Will; he'll satisfy thee in the eating line, whatever."
"Yes; especially when there's fresh butter and new bread," said Will, sitting down and cutting a thick slice for himself. "What was the matter with Tudor last night? He was howling all night. Did you hear him, father?"
"Not I. 'Twas the moonlight, I suppose. Dogs often howl on a moonlight night."
"Tudor doesn't," said Ann. "I'm glad I didn't hear him, ach y fi! I don't like it at all. But where's Gwilym and Gethin? There's late they are."
At this moment the former entered and took his seat silently at the table, looking pale and flurried.
"Where can Gethin be?" said Ann again; "not back from the mountain?" and Magw was sent to the top of the garden to call him, which she did with such stentorian tones that his name flew backwards and forwards across the valley, but no Gethin came.
Breakfast over, the big Bible was placed before Ebben Owens as usual, and all the farm servants assembled for prayers. When they rose from their knees and the wooden shoes had clattered out of the kitchen, Gwilym said, as he drew his chair to the table:
"Ann, we must wait a little longer for our furniture. My bag of sovereigns is gone!"
"Gone?" echoed everyone, and Morva, who was putting away the Bible, turned white with a deadly fear, which seemed to freeze the blood in her veins. In the excitement of the moment her change of countenance escaped the notice of the other members of the family.
"Gone," said Will, "gone where? What do you mean, man? Stolen?"