committed a
murder in so cowardly a way as by tying a rope across the road which his
enemy had to traverse. One party characterized his conduct at the mill
as that of the captain of a pirate ship, the other likened it to any of
the great deeds of devotion told in history--the death of Leonidas and
his three hundred, or the devotion of Mutius Scaevola.

Had Ned chosen now he might have gathered round himself a strong party
of warm adherents, for there were many who, had they had the least
encouragement, would have been glad to shake him by the hand and to show
their partisanship openly and warmly; but Ned did not choose. The doctor
and Mr. Porson strongly urged upon him that he should show some sort of
willingness to meet the advances which many were anxious to make.

"These people are all willing to admit that they have been wrong, Ned,
and really anxious to atone as far as they can for their mistake in
assuming that you were guilty. Now is your time, my boy; what they
believe today others will believe tomorrow; it is the first step toward
living it down. I always said it would come, but I hardly ventured to
hope that it would come so soon."

"I can't do it, Mr. Porson; I would if I could, if only for the sake of
the others; but I can't talk, and smile, and look pleasant. When a man
knows that his mother lying at home thinks that he is a murderer how is
he to go about like other people?"

"But I have told you over and over again, Ned, that your mother is
hardly responsible for her actions. She has never been a very reasonable
being, and is less so than ever at present. Make an effort, my boy, and
mix with others. Show yourself at the cricket match next week. You know
the boys are all your firm champions, and I warrant that half the people
there will flock round you and make much of you if you will but give
them the chance."

But Ned could not, and did not, but went on his way as before, living as
if Marsden had no existence for him, intent upon his work at the mill,
and unbending only when at home with his brother and sister.

His new friend, Cartwright, was, of course, one of the first to
congratulate him on the escape the mill had had of destruction.

"I was wondering what you would do if they came," he said, "and was
inclined to think you were a fool for not following my example and
having some of your hands to sleep at the mill. Your plan was best, I am
ready to allow; that is to say, it was best for any one