to the gracious gudeness of Miller."

"Will's nearly ready to go," said Clement. "Let his arm once be
restored, and he'll do your hard labour with a good heart, I promise
you. He wants to please Mr. Lyddon, and will tackle two months or two
years or twenty."

"Two an' not a second less--with hard labour I'll wager, when all's
taken into account."

"Why are you so hot, Billy Blee? You're none the worse."

"Billy's very jealous for me, same as Elijah was for the Lard o' Hosts,"
said Mr. Lyddon.

Then Martin and Clement climbed the steep hill that lay between them and
Chagford, while the miller and his man pursued their way through the
valley.

CHAPTER XII

A STORY-BOOK

Despite the miller's explicit declaration, there was yet a doubt as to
what he might do in the matter of Will Blanchard. Six weeks is a period
of time that has often served to cool dispositions more fiery, purposes
more inflexible than those of Mr. Lyddon, and his natural placidity of
temperament, despite outbreaks, had begun to reassert itself. Billy
Blee, misunderstanding his master in this, suspected that the first
fires of rage were now sunk into a conflagration, not so visible, but
deeper and therefore more dangerous to the sufferer, if not to other
people. He failed to observe that each day of waiting lessened the
miller's desire towards action, and he continued to urge some step
against Will Blanchard, as the only road by which his master's peace of
mind might be regained. He went further, and declared delay to be very
dangerous for Mr. Lyddon's spleen and other physical organs. But though
humanity still prevented any definite step, Billy's master so far
adopted his advice as to see a solicitor and learn what the law's power
might be in the matter. Now he knew, as was recorded in the previous
chapter; and still Mr. Lyddon halted between two opinions. He usually
spoke on the subject as he had spoken to Martin Grimbal and Clement
Hicks; but in reality he felt less desire in the direction of revenge
than he pretended. Undoubtedly his daughter contributed not a little to
this irresolution of mind. During the period of Will's convalescence,
his wife conducted herself with great tact and self-restraint. Deep love
for her father not only inspired her, but also smoothed difficulties
from a road not easy. Phoebe kept much out of sight until the miller's
first dismay and sorrow had subsided; then she crept back into her old
position and by