Blair Collection > Rhys Lewis, minister of Bethel

RHYS LEWIS. 65
Whilst motlier was looking after a loaf in the oven, I stole out,
and in a corner of the garden my two companions and myself
had a long confidential chat. On comparing notes, I found that
our proceedings in the Church and at school were known to all
the neighbourhood, that Bryan and Beck had had a thrashing
from their parents, which, as they themselves admitted, was
not worth talking of in the same breath as mine from the
master. This admission made me think once more that I was
one who had "come through much," and I began to consider
myself a kind of hero. I learned further that neither of my
friends had been to school that day, that Beck had got permis-
sion to stay at home until his father found an opportunity of
speaking with the master, but that Bryan, though distinctly
ordered off to school by his father, had been " playing trowels."
In the course of conversation I made two remarks which had a
great effect upon the boys. One was that mother said I had
had quite enough of schooling. Both stared enviously and in-
credulously at me, as though they could not possibly compre-
hend how such happiness could fall to the lot of any human
creature. After numerous manifestations of astonishment,
Bryan, addressing me, said, " Ehys ! I would bewailing for the
old Warrior to tie my hands behind my back, make me stand an
hour on one leg, and then to break a new cane across my
shoulders, if the gaffer there (meaning his father), would but
say the same thing to me."
Beck gave a nod, which signified that for the same reward he
would be perfectly willing to undergo the same ordeal. Not
less was their wonder when I told them that Bob's case, my
own, and Bryan's would be brought before Communion that
very night. Beck, being a Churchman, could not clearly
make out what "Communion," and "brought before Com-
munion" meant, until after will Bryan had given him the
explanation following. Will had a special gift of definition
with respect to anything which he fancied he himself under-
stood, and it was in this way he defined for Beck the nature and
object of Communion.
"Do you see, Jack," said he, " Communion means a lot of good
folk who think themselves bad, coming together every Tuesday
night, to find fault with themselves, and run each other down."