He sees them in the road; he passes through groups of them in the market-place.

As he goes by they look after him, and perhaps audibly wonder how long he will last.

These people all knew him from a lad, and can trace every inch of his descent.

The labourers in the field know it, and by their manner show that they know it.
His wife--his wife who worked so hard for so many, many years--is made to know it too.

She is conspicuously omitted from the social gatherings that occur from time to time.