e, then."

"I should think you did."

A few minutes later Will was gone, and Phoebe dabbed her moist eyes and
blamed herself for so clumsily revealing her great intention,--to see
John Grimbal and plead with him. This secret ambition was now swept
away, and she knew not where to turn or how to act for her husband.

CHAPTER XII

NEW YEAR'S EVE AND NEW YEAR'S DAY

From this point in his career Will Blanchard, who lacked all power of
hiding his inner heart, soon made it superficially apparent that new
troubles had overtaken him. No word concerning his intolerable anxieties
escaped him, but a great cloud of tribulation encompassed every hour,
and was revealed to others by increased petulance and shortness of
temper. This mental friction quickly appeared on the young man's face,
and his habitual expression of sulkiness which formerly belied him, now
increased and more nearly reflected the reigning temperament of
Blanchard's mind. His nerves were on the rack and he grew sullen and
fretful. A dreary expression gained upon his features, an expression sad
as a winter twilight brushed with rain. To Phoebe he seldom spoke of the
matter, and she soon abandoned further attempts to intrude upon his
heart though her own was breaking for him. Billy Blee and the farm hands
were Will's safety-valve. One moment he showered hard and bitter words;
the next, at sight of some ploughboy's tears or older man's reasonable
anger, Will instantly relented and expressed his sorrow. The dullest
among them grew in time to discern matters were amiss with him, for his
tormented mind began to affect his actions and disorder the progress of
his life. At times he worked laboriously and did much with his own hands
that might have been left to others; but his energy was displayed in a
manner fitful and spasmodic; occasionally he would vanish altogether for
four-and-twenty hours or more; and none knew when he might appear or
disappear.

It happened on New Year's Eve that a varied company assembled at the
"Green Man" according to ancient custom. Here were Inspector Chown, Mr.
Chapple, Mr. Blee, Charles Coomstock, with many others; and the assembly
was further enriched by the presence of the bell-ringers. Their services
would be demanded presently to toll out the old year, to welcome with
joyful peal the new; and they assembled here until closing time that
they might enjoy a pint of the extra strong liquor a prosperous publican
provided for his c