The general 'Amen' was peculiarly solemn, and it occurred to Evan that for a thanksgiving there was more of sorrow than gladness.
Then the first greeting of Mrs. Edwards recurred to him, coupled with the remark about a 'last dinner'; and though the savour was appetising, and his fast had been long, he could not have touched a morsel until his doubts were resolved. He put his question, and was speedily answered by more than one voice—
'Oh, Evan, we cannot find our lease, and Mr. Pryse be going to drive us off the farm to-morrow.'
It was his turn to look solemn. ''Deed, and that do be bad. You do have a lease, sure to goodness?'
'Oh yes. Willem found grandfather's will, and the lease do be left to Rhys; but no lease can we be finding anywhere.'
'Where have you been looking?'
All sorts of likely and unlikely places were named.
'My first master kept his lease in the Bible. Did you look there?'
'Indeed, yes, Evan,' came from Mrs. Edwards, with a disheartened sigh; 'I turned over every leaf.'
'Oh, I do mean under the old cloth cover. He kept his there.'