He would sally out once a day and buy bread, just a pittance, hardly enough to keep him alive, and then bury himself again in darkness and solitude.

If the absence did not last more than three or four days, his wife and sons gave themselves no concern about him.

He usually returned a saner and healthier man than he went away.

When the absences were longer, they went in search of him, and could usually prevail on him to return home with them.

But this last absence had been much longer than usual before they found him.