Blair Collection > Rhys Lewis, minister of Bethel

RHYS LEWIS. 53
of tying a string to a lien's leg, so that her owner might be
able to tell -where she deposits her eggs. Will told us to file
out leisurely, and with a sober face. We were going, slowly
and seriously according to the word of command, when we
noticed Parson Brown, on his way to the vestry, looking oyer
the edge of the Soldier's pew.
"Holloa! Eobbit," we heard him saying, "I thought you
not in Church to-day."
We did not wait to see or hear any more. Will Bryan, how-
ever, assured us that, on looking back, he saw the reverend
gentleman pressing his handkerchief to his mouth, the nape of
his ueck and his ears being as red as fire, Will believed from
laughter on discovering what it was that had kept the Soldier
invisible. And this was not unlikely; for a merry old soul
was Mr. Brown.
We had a very bad time of it thence till the following Monday
morning. "Wben we became aware of the nature of the
atrocity we had committed, we entertained no sort of doubt but
that the " Skulk" would give the master the fullest particulars
of all that had taken place. Many were the conferences
between Bryan, Beck, and myself ; but we could not see any
way of escape from the punishment we so richly deserved.
Monday morning came, and with it the necessity for going to
school. Indeed, Will appeared only too eager to go, for he
called for me much earlier than usual. I sometimes fancied he
wanted the business over and done with ; at others, that he had
some scheme in hand for evading it, he appeai-ed so particularly
reserved and thoughtful. As for me, I was so terrified that my
legs would barely carry me ; and Beck felt the same. Seeing
us so dreadfully frightened, Will said as we were going
through the school-house door, " Cheer up, boys ; it will come
oflf better than you fear it will." I did not see how he could
hope for anything of the kind, but his words confirmed me in
the notion that he had formed some plan for our rescue. All th.e
boys were in attendance, and, for once, silent and still, as if in
anxious expectation of our arrival. When we had taken our
seats, Will planted his eyes straight in the face of the "Skulk,"
who, blushing to the roots of his hair, turned away his head.
Ail UEderstood what that meant, but nobody said a word.