One or two of the passengers tried to draw Stowell into conversation about the article, but he said little or nothing. Then some black-coated persons (well-to-do farmers and the like) gave the talk another turn.
"Still and for all," said one, "that doesn't justify such doings as there are in Douglas!" "Chut!" said another. "It isn't justice the agitators are wanting, it's robbery." "Truth enough," said a third, "it's the land they're after, and if the Governor isn't doing something soon, there'll be not an acre left at the one of us." "Give them a pig of their own sow," said a fat farmer. "Men like Qualtrough and Baldromma ought to be taken to say and dropped overboard."
Again the passengers tried to draw Stowell into conversation, and when they found they could not get him to speak to them they spoke at him.
"Where's the big men of the island that they're not telling the people they're bringing it to wreck and ruin?"
"When a man is claver—claver uncommon—and mighty with the tongue, he ought to be showing the ignorant gommerals the way they're going."
"Yes," said a little man (he was a local preacher), "when a man has the gift it's his duty to the Lord to use it."
"He must be a right man though," said the fat farmer, "straight as a mast himself, same as some we've had at Ballamoar in the good ould days gone by."
There was silence for a moment after this, and then an old man by the opposite window was heard to whisper,
"Lave him alone, men; he knows what hour the clock is striking."
When the train reached Douglas, Stowell went off with a heavy face. It was remarked that he had not shaken hands—his father used to shake hands with everybody.