3. MARCH THE ELEVENTHStarting for church the next morning several minutes earlier
than was usual with him, the steward intentionally loitered along
the road from the village till old Mr. Springrove overtook him.
Manston spoke very civilly of the morning, and of the weather,
asking how the farmer's barometer stood, and when it was probable
that the wind might change. It was not in Mr. Springrove's
nature—going to church as he was, too—to return anything but a
civil answer to such civil questions, however his feelings might
have been biassed by late events. The conversation was continued on
terms of greater friendliness.
'You must be feeling settled again by this time, Mr. Springrove,
after the rough turn-out you had on that terrible night in
November.'
'Ay, but I don't know abo
