The calendar was heavy, and Anthony acquitted himself very well in the trial of some difficult cases, earning the compliments of all concerned.

But on leaving the hot court after a long day he caught a heavy cold, which awoke his latent complaint, and from that time forward he began to go down hill.
Still, watched, fought against by Barbara, its progress was slow.

The winter months they spent in warmer climates, only residing in Eastwich from May to November.

During the summer Anthony occupied himself on matters connected with the estate and principally with the cultivation of the home farm.

Indeed, as time went on and increasing weakness forced him to withdraw himself more and more from the world and its affairs, the interests of this farm loomed ever larger in his eyes, as largely indeed as though he depended upon it alone for his daily bread.
Moreover, it brought him into touch with Nature, and now that they were so near to parting, his friendship with her grew very close.
This was one of his troubles, that when he died, and he knew that before very long he must die, even if he continued to live in some other form, he must bid farewell to the Nature that he knew.
Of course, there was much of her, her cruel side, that he would rejoice to lose.