Ebbing Powers 
a part, of the explanation. More likely he was 
troubled in another way—as a man clinging 
hopelessly to the edge of a cliff would be troubled, 
feeling his grasp weakening, his fingers giving 
way one after the other. The cliff of which 
John Smith was gradually losing grip was Life. 
Not that he feared Death. But the touch of 
circumstance in all his faculties had been very 
intimate, and he was loth to lose it. Even 
troublesome things had made their call to his 
vigour; and now that he had to turn his back 
on the very troubles, and the calls even from 
them had to be disregarded, it was rubbed into 
him from every side that his vigour was waning, 
that the messages from the outer world would 
never quicken his faculties again. 
It may be assumed that he felt this keenly 
when he retired from the farm. In putting off 
the cares of business he was also putting off the 
Stimulus they could give. He was letting go 
life with one hand. And daily, hourly, there 
would be some reminder, taunting him for 
having turned away. Did he now avoid muddy- 
ing his boots in the farm-yard? It was a proof 
that he was no longer a strong man. Was he 
unable any longer to go to Blackwater Fair? 
Why, of course, his time was over. He, who 
had been wont to do everything for himself, now 
had to have everything done for him; and the 
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