He noticed the change in Henry Ware's nature and he brought it also to the notice of others.
It seemed as the brilliant day passed peacefully that Wyatt was right and Henry, for some hidden purpose of his own, perhaps to hide the secret of his long absence, had brought to them this sounding alarm.
There was the sun beyond the zenith in the heavens, the shadows of afternoon were falling, and the yellow light over the forest softened into gray, but no sign of an enemy appeared.
If Henry Ware saw the discontent he did not show his knowledge; the light of the expected conflict was still in his eyes and his thoughts were chiefly of the great event to come; yet in an interval of waiting he went back to the house and told his mother of much that had befallen him during his long absence; he sought to persuade himself now that he could not have escaped earlier, and perhaps without intending it he created in her mind the impression that he sought to engrave upon his own; so she was fully satisfied, thankful for the great mercy of his return that had been given to her.
"Now mother!" he said at last, "I am going outside." "Outside!" she cried aghast, "but you are safe here! Why not stay ?" He smiled and shook his head.
"I shall be safe out there, too," he said, "and it is best for us all that I go.

Oh, I know the wilderness, mother, as you know the rooms of this house!" He kissed her quickly and turned away.

John Ware, who stood by, said nothing.

He felt a certain fear of his son and did not yet know how to command him.
As Henry passed from the house into the little square Lucy Upton overtook him.
"Where are you going ?" she asked.
"I think I can be of more help out there than in here," he replied pointing toward the forest.
"It would be better for you to stay," she said.
"I shall be in no danger." "It is not that; do you know what some of them here are saying of you--that you are estranged from us, that there is some purpose in this, that no attack is coming! Your going now will confirm them in the belief." His dark eyes flashed with a fierceness that startled her, and his whole frame seemed to draw up as if he were about to spring.

But the emotion passed in a moment, and his face was a brown mask, saying nothing.