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THE TALENT THOU GAVEST
“Iss, iss, for sure: He did give me a large talent.”
“Shame upon you, you old cow, for throwing it against the Big Man”s teeth.”
“But I want to use it,” retorted Eben. “The congregation won’t let me, Lloyd bach. So long as I employed half a talent all went well.”
If at this time you happened to be taking the cart-road which cuts across the moor, past the quarry and Old Shaci's hut, you would have seen Eben sitting on the fringe of the heather.
Folk who came that way were in the habit of remarking to him:
“Glad day to you, Eben the son of Hannah.”
Without lifting his eyes, Eben would reply:
“A glad day to you.”
“What you are waiting for, man ?”
“For the Angel of the Lord.”
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