Blair Collection > Rhys Lewis, minister of Bethel

^^KS- LEWIS. 365
In a minute Williams followed me to my room, threw himself
on the bed, and rolled about, laughing until his sides were sore.
" Ehys," said he, " this is about the most original character
I've ever met with. The boys had a sovereign's worth of fun
out of him between Corwen and Bala, and they charged me to
be sure to tell you to keep him here as long as you can.
Couldn't we smuggle him into the class, eh ? It would be a
perfect treat."
" That would not be quite the thing," I returned. " It is a
bit of a nuisance to have to show him around. If the creature
had left that collar of his at home, I wouldn't have minded so
much. All the town will be staring at us."
"Eubbish!" rejoined Williams. "He'd be nothing at all
without the collar. That collar is worth a hundred pounds.
Shall I come with you ? If you say yes, mathematics may go
to Jericho for the afternoon."
" Shall you, indeed ! " I exclaimed. " I was on the point of
offering you five shillings to come and share the shame with me."
Descending to the parlour, we found Thomas on his feet, re-
loading his pipe. Seeing us ready to start, he said, "Is Mr.
Williams coming along ? Well, clean shoe ! Wait a bit,
Ehys; I haven't seen you take anythin' to your mouth since
I'm here. Have you had nothing to eat ? "
" Yes, Thomas. I had a feed at Ehyd-y-Fen."
" Ehyd-y-Fen — where's that ? Is it far ? "
" Rhyd-y-Fen is a public house half way between Bala and
Festiniog," I replied.
"What! What!" cried Thomas. " Do they, in the north
country, 'low you preachers to go to pubs ? There's no harm
in the thing, in my opinion, and I always used to say Abel
Hughes was too strict in such matters. But let's be off, boys ; "
and Thomas lit his pipe.
" Perhaps it would be as well for you not to smoke going
through the town," I remarked.
" Where's the harm ? " asked mine ancient. "Are you so
stuck up as all that in Bala ? "
" There's no harm in the thing, that I know of, Thomas," I
replied ; " only respectable people don't do it here."