Janet gathered up her patterns and went out of the room without a word.
"Forgive you? Never while that girl lies in prison." The stinging words followed him to his bedroom. They broke up his sleep. They rang like the screech of an owl through the darkness of the night.
Next day, not trusting himself to drive his car, he returned to Castletown by train. There were only two first-class compartments and both were full. He was about to step into a third-class carriage when a voice cried,
"This way, Deemster. Always room enough for you."
There was to be a sitting of the Keys that day and the compartment was full of northside members. The talk was about yesterday's trial, and Stowell realised that his management of the case had created a favourable impression. Merciful to the prisoner? Yes, until her guilt was established, but then just, even at the expense of friendship.
This led to talk about Gell as the girl's fellow-sinner.
"Shocking! But it's not the first time he has been mixed up with a woman."
Stowell felt an intolerable shame at Gell's undeserved obloquy and his own unmerited glory, but he could say nothing.
"It will kill the old man," said one of the Keys. The train had drawn up at a side station and his voice was loud in the vacant air.
"Hush!"