Looking down from the stile on the high ground there seemed to be a white
cloud resting on the valley, through which the tops of the high trees
penetrated; the hedgerows beneath were concealed, and their course could
only be traced by the upper branches of the elms. Under this cloud the
wheat-fields were blotted out; there seemed neither corn nor grass, work
for man nor food for animal; there could be nothing doing there surely.
In the stillness of the August morning, without song of bird, the sun,
shining brilliantly high above the mist, seemed to be the only living
thing, to possess the whole and reign above absolute peace. It is a
curious sight to see the early harvest morn--all hushed under the burning
sun, a morn that you know is full of life and meaning, yet quiet as if
man's foot had never trodden the land. Only the sun is there, rolling on
his endless way.
Roger's head was bound with brass, but had it not been he would not have
observed anything in the aspect of the earth. Had a brazen band been
drawn firmly round his forehead it could not have felt more stupefied.
His eyes blinked in the sunlight; every now and then he stopped to save
himself from staggering; he was not in a condition to think.
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