He would never, never-- "Well, by George!" he exclaimed aloud.
He was looking once more at the lightkeeper's big leather boots.

One of them was lying on its side, and the upturned sole and heel were thickly coated with blue clay.

He crossed the room, picked up the boots and examined them.

Each was smeared with the clay.

He put them down again, shook his head, wandered over to the rocking-chair and sat down.
Seth had cleaned and greased those boots before he went to bed the day before; Brown had seen him doing it.