But even that pastime brought no solace for his discontent.

The house oppressed him.

It was empty, it was silent.

He drew aside the curtains and looking down into the valley through the clear night air watched the lights in cottage and farm with the envy born of his loneliness.
In spite of the brave words he had used, he wondered to-night whether the three-foot hedge was not after all to prove the unassailable wall.

And it was important that he should know.