He glanced at her as though he had only just discovered her presence.
"No, no; I'm busy, thinking."
"You can think while you walk, and I'll keep quiet."
"Thank you. I wish to be alone."
His strung forehead and irritable eyes repulsed her. Intuition warned Nance that it would be useless to attack him openly, even with the power of compassion. Some men are mad, even when they are sane. It is useless to argue with them. They have to be strait-jacketed by the common sense of the community and kept from doing themselves and other people harm.
[XXII]
Parson Goffin was still grumbling on the bench under one of the cedars when Jack Bumpstead appeared from the direction of the stables.
"Here be a man for to see you, Master Jasper."
"Who is it, Jack?"
"Thomas Stook o' Bramble End."