This assumption was justifiable, except that in
just one spot the skin of Toby was tender. He really did not care
to be reminded that he was living under his wife's roof. The
reiteration settled on his nerves like a malady. And before a year
had elapsed Priscilla had contrived to remind him once too often.
And one day he put some things in a carpet-bag, and a hat on his
head, and made for the door. The house was antique, and the front-
parlour gave directly on to the street.
'Where be going?' Priscilla asked him.
He hesitated a second, and said--
'Merica.'
And he was. In the Five Towns we are apt to end our marriages in
that laconic manner. Toby did not complain too much; he simply and
unaffectedly went. It might be imagined that the situation was a
trying one for Priscilla. Not so! Priscilla had experienced
marriage with Toby and had found it wanting. She was content to be
relieved of Toby. She had her house and her money and her self-
esteem, and also tranquillity. She accepted the solution, and
devoted her days to the cleanliness of the house.
Toby drew all the money he had out of the Bursley and Turnhill
Permanent Fifty Pounds Benefit Building Society (four shares,
nearly paid up) and set sail--in the Adriatic, which was then the
leading greyhound of the Atlantic--for New York.
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