“Red is the head of the baban.”

“Two black heads make red,” observed Ben.

“And his name is Benjamin.”

“As you speak.  Farewell for to-day.  How would you like to put up for a Welsh constituency?”

“Not deserving am I of anything.  Happy would I and the wife be to see you in the House.”

But Ben’s promise was fruitless; and Enoch bewailed:  “A serpent flew into my house.”

He ordered Gwen to go to Ben.

“Recall to him this and that,” he said.  “A very good advert an M.P. would be for the business.  Be you dressed like a lady.  Take a fur coat on appro from the shop.”

Often thereafter he bade his wife to take such a message.  But Gwen had overcome her distress and she strew abroad her charms; for no man could now suffice her.  So she always departed to one of her lovers and came back with fables on her tongue.

“What can you expect of the Welsh?” cried Enoch in his wrath.  “He hasn’t paid for the goods he got on tick from the shop.  County court him will I. He ate my food.  The unrighteous ate the food of the righteous.  And he was bad with you.  Did I not watch?  No good is the assistant that lets the customer go away with not a much obliged.”

The portion of the Bible that Enoch read that night was this:  “I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt....  Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning:  let us solace ourselves with love.  For the goodman is not at home, he is gone on a long journey.  He hath—­”

“That’s lovely,” said Gwen.

“Tapestry from my shop,” Enoch expounded.  “And Irish linen.  And busy was the draper in Kingsend.”

Gwen pretended to be asleep.

“He is the father.  That will learn him to keep his promise.  The wicked man!”

Unknown to her husband Gwen stood before Ben; and at the sight of her Ben longed to wanton with her.  Gwen stretched out her arms to be clear of him and to speak to him; her speech was stopped with kisses and her breasts swelled out.  Again she found pleasure in Ben’s strength.

Then she spoke of her husband’s hatred.

“Like a Welshman every spit he is,” said Ben.  “And a black.”

But his naughtiness oppressed him for many days and he intrigued; and it came to pass that Enoch was asked to contest a Welsh constituency, and Enoch immediately let fall his anger for Ben.

“Celebrate this we shall with a reception in the Town Hall,” he announced.  “You, Gwen fach, will wear the chikest Paris model we can find.  Ben’s kindness is more than I expected.  Much that I have I owe to him.”

“Even your son,” said Gwen.

VI

TREASURE AND TROUBLE

On a day in a dry summer Sheremiah’s wife Catrin drove her cows to drink at the pistil which is in the field of a certain man.  Hearing of that which she had done, the man commanded his son:  “Awful is the frog to open my gate.  Put you the dog and bitch on her.  Teach her will I.”