away from 'e, though God knaws--God,
He knaws--"

Billy hid his face and began to weep, while Mr. Lyddon watched the
candle-light converge to a shining point upon his bald skull.

"Doan't go against a word in season, my dear sawl. 'Tis our duty to set
each other right. That's what we'm put here for, I doubt. Many's the
time you've given me gude advice, an' I've thanked 'e an' took it."

Then he went for the spirits and mixed Mr. Blee a dose of more than
usual strength.

"You'm the most biting user of language in Chagford, when you mind to
speak sour," declared Billy. "If I thought you meant all you said, I'd
go an' hang myself in the barn this instant moment. But you doan't."

He snuffled and dried his scanty tears on a red handkerchief, then
cheered up and drank his liquor.

"It do take all sorts to make a world, an' a man must act accordin' as
he'm built," continued Mr. Lyddon. "Ban't no more use bein' angered wi'
a chap given to women than 'tis bein' angered wi' a fule, because he's a
fule. What do 'e expect from a fule but folly, or a crab tree but
useless fruit, or hot blood but the ways of it? This ban't to speak of
Will Blanchard, though. 'Pon him we'll say no more till he've heard
what's on folks' tongues. A maddening bwoy--I'll allow you that--an'
he've took a year or two off my life wan time an' another. 'Pears I
ban't never to graw to love un as I would; an' yet I caan't quite help
it when I sees his whole-hearted ferment to put money into my pocket; or
when I hears him talk of nitrates an' the ways o' the world; or watches
un playin' make-believe wi' the childer--himself the biggest cheel as
ever laughed at fulishness or wanted spankin' an' putting in the
corner."

CHAPTER VIII

FLIGHT

On the following morning Miller Lyddon arose late, looked from his
window and immediately observed the twain with whom his night thoughts
had been concerned. Will stood at the gate smoking; small Timothy, and
another lad, of slightly riper years, appeared close by. The children
were fighting tooth and nail upon the ownership of a frog, and this
reptile itself, fastened by the leg to a stick, listlessly watched the
progress of the battle. Will likewise surveyed the scene with genial
attention, and encouraged the particular little angry animal who had
most claim upon his interest. Timothy kicked and struck out pretty
straight, but fought in silence; the bigger boy screamed and howled and
scratched.

"Vang