John's intimacy with the Squire prospered.

Leila had been a gay comrade, but not as yet so interested as to tempt him to discussion of the confusing politics of the day.

"She has not as yet a seeking mind," said the rector, who in the confessional of the evening pipe saw more and more plainly that this was a divided house.

The Squire could not talk politics with Ann, his wife.

She held a changeless belief in regard to slavery, a conviction of its value to owner and owned too positive to be tempted into discussing it with people who knew so little of it and did not agree with her.