I kept indoors altogether, fearing to be questioned by the neighbours; but on a certain afternoon there came a knocking, and when I went to open Tom Windham walked in.
I gave a cry of joy, because the sight of an old friend was pleasant in that strange place, and it was not immediately that I could recover myself and ask what his business was.
"I came to seek you," he said, "for I had occasion to leave my own part of the country for the present."
"LOOKING AT HIM, I SAW THAT HE WAS HAGGARD AND STRANGE."
Looking at him, I saw that he was haggard and strange, and had not the confidence that was his formerly.
"There has been a rising there," I answered him, "and trouble among many?"
"Much trouble," he said with gloom. Then he fell to telling me how such of the neighbours were dead, and others were in hiding, while there were still more that went about their work in fear for their lives, lest any should inform against them.
"Your father's brother was taken on Sedgemoor with a pike in his hand," he added, "and your father has been busy ever since, raising money to buy his pardon—for they say that money can do much."