But  to  live  in  the  place  and  love  it,  too,  and  see  all  this  going
on,  and  groan  and  writhe  under  it,  and  not  be  able "

At  this  point  in  his  speech  Hardy  came  to  the  turning-
point  in  his  march  at  the  further  end  of  the  room,  just  op-
posite his  ci'ockery  cupboard  ;  but,  instead  of  turning  as  usual,
he  paused,  let  go  the  hold  on  his  elbow,  poised  himself  for  a
moment  to  get  a  purchase,  and  then  dashed  his  right  fist  full
against  one  of  the  panels.  Crash  went  the  slight  deal  boards,
as  if  struck  with  a  sledge-hammer,  and  crash  went  glass  and
crockery  behind.  Tom  jumped  to  his  feet,  in  doubt  whether
an  assault  on  him  would  not  follow  ;  but  the  fit  was  over,  and
Hardy  looked  round  at  him,  with  a  rueful  and  deprecating
face.  For  a  moment  Tom  tried  to  look  solemn  and  heroic,
as  befitted  the  occasion  ;  but,  somehow,  the  sudden  contrast
flashed  on  him,  and  sent  him  off,  before  he  could  think  about
it,  into  a  roar  of  laughter,  ending  in  a  violent  fit  of  coughing  ;
for  in  his  excitement  he  had  swallowed  a  mouthful  of  smoke.
Hardy,  after  holding  out  for  a  moment,  gave  in  to  the  humor
of  the  thing,  and  the  appealing  look  passed  into  a  smile  and
the  smile  into  a  laugh,  as  he  turned  toward  his  damaged  cup-
board, and  began  opening  it  carefully  in  a  legitimate  manner.
