left at home with Effie。 His mother's death was another blow out
of the dark。 He could not understand it； he knew it was no good
his trying。 One had to submit to these unforeseen blows that
e unawares and leave a bruise that remains and hurts whenever
it is touched。 He began to be afraid of all that which was up
against him。 He had loved his mother。
After this； Effie and he quarrelled fiercely。 They meant a
very great deal to each other； but they were both under a
strange； unnatural tension。 He stayed out of the house as much
as possible。 He got a special corner for himself at the 〃Red
Lion〃 at Cossethay； and became a usual figure by the fire； a
fresh； fair young fellow with heavy limbs and head held back；
mostly silent； though alert and attentive； very hearty in his
greeting of everybody he knew； shy of strangers。 He teased all
the women； who liked him extremely； and he was very attentive to
the talk of the men； very respectful。
To drink made him quickly flush very red in the face； and
brought out the look of self…consciousness and unsureness；
almost bewilderment； in his blue eyes。 When he came home in this
state of tipsy confusion his sister hated him and abused him；
and he went off his head； like a mad bull with rage。
He had still another turn with a light…o'…love。 One
Whitsuntide he went a jaunt with two other young