The former seemed to be doing most of the talking.

Then they separated, Grover remaining by the gate and Phineas striding off in the direction of his shop.

He was muttering to himself and his face was working with emotion.

Between baffled malice and suppressed hatred he looked almost as if he were going to cry.

Even amid his own feelings of thankfulness and relief Jed felt a pang of pity for Phineas Babbitt.