Edward Springrove was now in London again, and on this same evening, before leaving Casterbridge, Owen wrote a careful letter to him, stating therein all the facts that had come to his knowledge, and begging him, as he valued Cytherea, to make cautious inquiries. A tall man was standing under the lamp-post, about half-a-dozen yards above the post-office, when he dropped the letter into the box.
That same night, too, for a reason connected with the rencounter with Owen Graye, the steward entertained the idea of rushing off suddenly to London by the mail-train, which left Casterbridge at ten o'clock. But remembering that letters posted after the hour at which Owen had obtained his information--whatever that was--could not be delivered in London till Monday morning, he changed his mind and went home to Knapwater. Making a confidential explanation to his wife, arrangements were set on foot for his departure by the mail on Sunday night.
3. MARCH THE ELEVENTH Starting for church the next morning several minutes earlier than was usual with him, the steward intentionally loitered along the road from the village till old Mr. Springrove overtook him. Manston spoke very civilly of the morning, and of the weather, asking how the farmer's barometer stood, and when it was probable that the wind might change. It was not in Mr. Springrove's nature--going to church as he was, too--to return anything but a civil answer to such civil questions, however his feelings might have been biassed by late events. The conversation was continued on terms of greater friendliness.
'You must be feeling settled again by this time, Mr. Springrove, after the rough turn-out you had on that terrible night in November.' 'Ay, but I don't know about feeling settled, either, Mr. Manston.
The old window in the chimney-corner of the old house I shall never forget. No window in the chimney-corner where I am now, and I had been used to it for more than fifty years. Ted says 'tis a great loss to me, and he knows exactly what I feel.' 'Your son is again in a good situation, I believe?' said Manston, imitating that inquisitiveness into the private affairs of the natives which passes for high breeding in country villages.
'Yes, sir. I hope he'll keep it, or do something else and stick to it.' ''Tis to be hoped he'll be steady now.' 'He's always been that, I assure 'ee,' said the old man tartly.
'Yes--yes--I mean intellectually steady. Intellectual wild oats will thrive in a soil of the strictest morality.' 'Intellectual gingerbread! Ted's steady enough--that's all I know about it.' 'Of course--of course. Has he respectable lodgings? My own experience has shown me that that's a great thing to a young man living alone in London.' 'Warwick Street, Charing Cross--that's where he is.' 'Well, to be sure--strange! A very dear friend of mine used to live at number fifty-two in that very same street.' 'Edward lives at number forty-nine--how very near being the same house!' said the old farmer, pleased in spite of himself.