Stead wondered whether all this was out of regret at the treatment he
had undergone, or whether it was to put him off his guard, and this
occupied him when Jeph began to preach, as he did uninterruptedly for
the last mile, without any of the sense, if there were any, reaching
the mind of the auditor.
They reached the hut, the gifts were displayed; and when the young
ones, who were all a little afraid of the elder brother, had gone off
to feast upon the sweets, Jeph began with enquiries after Steadfast's
back, and he replied that it was mending fast, while Patience
exclaimed at the cruelty and wickedness of so using him.
"Why wouldn't he speak then?" said Jeph. "Yea or nay would have
ended it in a moment, but that's Stead's way. He looks like it now!"
and he did, elbows on knees, and chin on hands.
"Come now, Stead, thou canst speak to me! Was it all because
Faithful hauled thee about?"
"He did, and he had no call to," said Stead, surlily.
"Well, that's true, but I'm not hauling thee. Tell me, Stead, I mind
now that thou wast out with father that last day ere the Parson was
taken to receive his deserts.
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