"They're changing for the worse," he said.
"They are trying out the stuff hid in 'em," repeated William. "Woman be God A'mighty's last creation, Jacob, and no doubt He worked into 'em pretty near everything He'd got left over. Us never will understand all there is to 'em, and only a fool thinks he can."
"I was such a fool."
"Don't drag yourself in. Keep your mind open. That's what I pray you to do. You've appealed to the Law and you must abide by the Law. And if it holds that you are mistook; then——" He broke off and took the younger man's hand.
"I'm your friend, be it as it may," he said.
Jacob nodded, shook the ancient hand and went his way without words.
For a moment he considered William's broken sentence, but could not see what might have finished it.
Indeed Mr. Marydrew himself felt the fatuity of any ultimate thought or hope at this crisis.
With very genuine grief in his eyes he watched Bullstone depart.
"Broke on the wheel of the world, because he weren't turned true," he said to himself. "But which of us be? Which of us be? Not one."