Mr. Halpin was indispensable, and that if his deed gave it to him,
it was a right of which he could not deprive him without acting
unjustly. Passion and false reasonings would, it is true, quickly
darken his mind again. But they had, in turn, to give place to more
correct views and feelings.

"Just try some of that butter. It is delicious!" said Mrs. Bolton,
soon after they were seated at the table.

"I don't care about butter at dinner-time," replied Mr. Bolton,
coldly.

"But just try some of this. I want you to taste it," urged the wife.
"Its flavour is delightful. I must go over and see Mrs. Halpin's
dairy."

To satisfy his wife, Mr. Bolton took some of the butter on his
plate. He would rather have thrown it out of the window.

"Now try it on a piece of bread," said Mrs. Bolton. "I declare! You
act as if you were afraid of the butter. What's the matter with
you?"

There was no reason why Mr. Bolton should not do as his wife
wished--at least no reason that he could give to her. It wouldn't do
to say--

"I won't touch Mrs. Halpin's butter because I've cut off her
husband's right of way across my land. I have nailed up the only
outlet there is from his property to the public road."