Can I take any letters to the post for you?
or is there anything else that I can do in the town ?" I thanked him, and declined both proposals.

He made me another deferential bow, and withdrew into the house.

I mechanically followed the path in the direction which Silas had taken before me.
Turning the corner of the house, and walking on for a little way, I found myself at the entrance to the stables, and face to face with Silas Meadowcroft once more.

He had his elbows on the gate of the yard, swinging it slowly backward and forward, and turning and twisting a straw between his teeth.

When he saw me approaching him, he advanced a step from the gate, and made an effort to excuse himself, with a very ill grace.
"No offense, mister.