It is in the nature of men and angels to pursue with death such birds as are uncommon, such animals as are rare; and Society had no use for one like Tod, so uncut to its pattern as to be practically unconscious of its existence.

Not that he had deliberately turned his back on anything; he had merely begun as a very young man to keep bees.

The better to do that he had gone on to the cultivation of flowers and fruit, together with just enough farming as kept his household in vegetables, milk, butter, and eggs.

Living thus amongst insects, birds, cows, and the peace of trees, he had become queer.

His was not a very reflective mind, it distilled but slowly certain large conclusions, and followed intently the minute happenings of his little world.