He had been the best of sons, the steadiest of workers, and a general favourite from his willingness to oblige, his cheerfulness and good temper.
His jealousy, as a child, had been a source of trouble.

Any gift, any little treat, for his younger brothers, in which he had not fully shared, had been the occasion for a violent outburst of temper, never exhibited by him at any other time, and this feeling had again shown itself as soon as he had singled out Martha as the object of his attentions.
They had remarked a strangeness in his manner when he had returned home that night, and, remembering the past, each entertained a secret dread that there had been some more violent quarrel than usual between him and Martha, and that in his mad passion he had killed her.
It was, then, with a feeling almost of relief that a month after her disappearance he briefly announced his intention of leaving the farm and enlisting in the army.

His mother looked in dumb misery at her husband, who only said gravely: "Well, lad, you are old enough to make your own choice.

Things have changed for you of late, and maybe it is as well that you should make a change, too.

You have been a good son, and I shall miss you sorely; but John is taking after you, and presently he will make up for your loss." "I am sorry to go, father, but I feel that I cannot stay here." "If you feel that it is best that you should go, George, I shall say no word to hinder you," and then his wife was sure that the fear she felt was shared by her husband.
The next morning George came down in his Sunday clothes, carrying a bundle.