Blair Collection > Rhys Lewis, minister of Bethel

RHYS LEWIS. 337
No ; not so, either. I marvel -when I think of the state of
dreamy absent-mindedness I was in at the time. In every-
thing I did, I felt my dear old master at my side, and I seemed
to be doing it all according to his command. On the sad day
we buried him, and when I was conscious of, rather than
saw, the crowd of people that came together, I remember
wondering into how small a gap they put poor Abel, and how
large the one, which never could be filled, that he had left
behind. When David Davis and I were returning from the
churchyard, I fancied hearing my old master addressing us
with a *' Thank you, Ehys ; thank you, David. Ye did well."
To which we replied, " We have only done that which it was
our duty to do by thee."
David Davis accompanied me back to the house, and we both
went into the kitchen, there being "of women some" with
Miss Hughes in the parlour. If these lines are ever read, I
dare say I shall be deemed foolish for noting such trifles. I
had hoped David would sit in Abel's old arm chair; but instead
of doing so he took the chaii- he usually sat on when Abel was
alive. The old chair was empty, and beside it, on the wide
hob, lay the pipe, exactly in the spot it was left four days ago.
Neither David nor I spoke a word, but I knew we both
appeared as if constantly expecting Abel to come in. How
difficult it is to realise the departure, nevermore to return, of
one who has for years been a part of your life ! After talking
over one thing and another, David presently asked me what I
intended to do ? Did I consider it wise, under the circum-
stances, to go to college ? I said I was not prepared to answer.
''No one would blame you, now, as things have happened,"
he went on, " if you did not go to Bala — Abel taken suddenly
away. Miss Hughes left all alone, and knowing nothing
about the business. Indeed, everybody would think the more
of you if you were not to go. What if you were to wait
another year, to see how things turn out ? "
He spoke feelingly and persuasively ; but his words stabbed
me to the heart. What, thought I, David Davis exhort me
not to go to college ! I was hurt, and said to him, a little
excitedly, " David Davis, if I don't go to college now I never
ehaU. If I find, after taking time to consider the matter, that
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