Christian's eyes always upon him, with a strange look of helpless
distress, discomposing enough to the angry aggressor. "Like a
beaten dog!" he said to himself, rallying contempt to withstand
compunction. Observation set him wondering on Christian's
exhausted condition. The heavy labouring breath and the slack
inert fall of the limbs told surely of unusual and prolonged
exertion. And then why had close upon two hours' absence been
followed by open hostility against White Fell?

Suddenly, the fragments of the flask giving a clue, he guessed
all, and faced about to stare at his brother in amaze. He forgot
that the motive scheme was against White Fell, demanding derision
and resentment from him; that was swept out of remembrance by
astonishment and admiration for the feat of speed and endurance.
In eagerness to question he inclined to attempt a generous part
and frankly offer to heal the breach; but Christian's depression
and sad following gaze provoked him to self-justification by
recalling the offence of that outrageous utterance against White
Fell; and the impulse passed. Then other considerations counselled
silence; and afterwards a humour possessed him to wait and see how
Christian would find opportunity to proclaim his performance and
establish the fact, without exciting ridicule on account of the
absurdity of the errand.

This expectation remained unfulfilled. Christian never attempted
the proud avowal that would have placed his feat on record to be
told to the next generation.

That night Sweyn and his mother talked long and late together,
shaping into certainty the suspicion that Christian's mind had