"I suppose they have told you that grandfather is a madman?
Our great trouble is well known in this neighborhood." "He is not dangerous.

I suppose ?" hazarded Uncle John, remembering the brutal bellowing.
"Oh, not at all.

He is fully paralyzed from his waist down, poor grandfather, and can do no harm to anyone.

But often his outbreaks are unpleasant to listen to," continued the girl, deprecatingly, as if suddenly conscious that they had overheard the recent uproar.
"Has he been--this way--for long ?" inquired Louise.
"His mind has been erratic and unbalanced since I can remember," answered Ethel, calmly, "but he first became violent at the time Captain Wegg died, some three years ago.

Grandfather was very fond of the Captain, and happened to be with him at the time of his sudden death.
The shock drove him mad." "Was he paralyzed before that time ?" asked Louise, earnestly.
"No; but the paralysis followed almost immediately.