Itsaction anyway, and thats easier for me than
waiting. That night Utlaw came up to Adams room before going to bed.
He commanded my battalion, and hes given me some
finedays fishing on his water at the Court. There was that in Amoss eye which made
Adam ask if he had everbeen himself in the same predicament. England wants a darned
lot of understanding, and youhadnt the patience to learn. IntoMarrishs glazed eyes
there came gleams of reminiscence, and nowand then a flicker of assent.
It has poisoned yourblood and choked your
lungs.
Its vicar had recently died, and at the moment
theliving was vacant.
Marrish was sitting humped upwith eyes like a sick
dogs. Theyre scarcely out of thenursery, you know.
The way to it was laid down nineteenhundred years
ago, and it is still open. Her protective, possessing eyes followedUtlaw with an
ardent affection. One Saturday afternoon Adam was bidden to tea in the
roomsdownstairs.
Theresower muckle fire in his heid to want
alcohol.
There waslittle comfort and not much decency.
Leisures no use to him unless he is fitted tomake something out of it.
But I mean, a cold-blooded affair like this? Once I
can see the idiocy of afellow and laugh at him I know Ive got him in my
hand.
Marrish stared at him for a moment, and then
extended an unwillinghand. Ivemade it my job to see something o the body, and, I
tell ye,theres murder in his een. Oh, by the way, brother Frank iscoming here soon
to preach. Theyre all penniless, and they all want to get married at once. One man
with faith can move mountains, butthree might be an Army of the Lord.
After that theymay lock him up or hang him, but the
mischief will be done.
Marrish was sitting humped upwith eyes like a sick
dogs.
Theyve a better life than their fathers had who
were in the samejob.
I want to be a gadfly to sting honestlethargy into
thought.
That will come, for the whole system is
rotten.
The parson town-councillor replied to one of Franks
questionsabout housing.
He had been sittingon the table dangling his legs,
and he now stood up before the gasfire.
Too much of that kind of dirt is bad for the
humanspirit.
He ignored Marrish utterly and examined the little
weapon.
So I havesimply ignored the whole thing and led my
ordinary life.
Its no likely Ill have a very cheerymornin.