5. DECEMBER THE FOURTHEdward passed the night he scarcely knew how, tossing feverishly
from side to side, the blood throbbing in his temples, and singing
in his ears.
Before the day began to break he dressed himself. On going out
upon the landing he found his father's bedroom door already open.
Edward concluded that the old man had risen softly, as was his
wont, and gone out into the fields to start the labourers. But
neither of the outer doors was unfastened. He entered the front
room, and found it empty. Then animated by a new idea, he went
round to the little back parlour, in which the few wrecks saved
from the fire were deposited, and looked in at the door. Here, near
the window, the shutters of which had been opened half way, he saw
his father leaning on the bureau, his el
