Page:Eliot - Adam Bede, vol. III, 1859.djvu/129

Rh to go a shiver right through her; and when they told him to look at her, she hung her head down, and cowered, and hid her face in her hands. He'd much ado to speak, poor man, his voice trembled so. And the counsellors,—who look as hard as nails mostly,—I saw, spared him as much as they could. Mr Irwine put himself near him, and went with him out o' court. Ah, it's a great thing in a man's life to be able to stand by a neighbour, and uphold him in such trouble as that."

"God bless him, and you too, Mr Massey," said Adam, in a low voice, laying his hand on Bailie's arm.

"Ay, ay, he's good metal; he gives the right ring when you try him, our parson does. A man o' sense says no more than's needful. He's not one of those that think they can comfort you with chattering, as if folks who stand by and look on knew a deal better what the trouble was than those who have to bear it. I've had to do with such folks in my time—in the south, when I was in trouble myself. Mr Irvine is to be a witness himself, by-and-by, on her side, you know, to speak to her character and bringing-up."

"But the other evidence . . . does it go hard