propriately
stern and uncompromising; but always with a dash of Christian
forbearance.

"That all?" enquired Bindle contemptuously. "That won't take long.
She was there 'cause she wants to be 'appy, wot she's got a right to
be. If yer was a man, 'Earty, instead of an 'oly greengrocer, yer'd
understan' wi'out tellin'. If yer was to listen to the 'ymns o' the
birds instead o' them 'ungry-lookin' young women in the choir" (Mr.
Hearty flushed) "yer'd know why Millie was wi' Charlie Dixon to-night.

"She wants love, 'Earty, an' she don't get it at 'ome. She wants
'appiness, an' you never even smile at 'er--not as that 'ud 'elp 'er
much," he added, with a flash of the old Bindle. "Yer want to shove
Gawd down 'er throat all the time, and it ain't the real Gawd 'oo was
kind to children."

"She's my daughter and must obey me." There was determination in Mr.
Hearty's voice. He felt he must assert his parental authority.

"Now, listen," said Bindle; and he proceeded to tell the whole story of
Millie's romance and the part he had played in it. "Now, 'ave yer any
think to complain about?" he enquired in conclusion.

"I forbid her ever to see him again," almost shouted Mr. Hearty. The
story he had just listened to had roused him to anger. It had outraged
his sense of the proprieties that his daughter should be walking the
streets alone with a young man she had met casually in a train! That
his own brother-in-law should be a party to such a disgraceful and
sordid intrigue made matters worse. Being a religious man Mr. Hearty
thought the worst.

He looked at Bindle. There was no suggestion of shame or contrition in
his bearing.

"I will have no such goings-on in my family," fumed Mr. Hearty, "and in
future I'll thank you, Joseph, not to interfere." Mr. Hearty's face
was very set and hard. "What would Mr. Sopley say if he knew?"

"That," remarked Bindle calmly, "would depend on 'ow long ago it was
since 'is mind was cleaned."

"Anyhow, I won't have it." And Mr. Hearty drew himself up to his full
height.

"Wot jer goin' to do then?" enquired Bindle with ominous calm.

Mr. Hearty was nonplussed. What was he going to do? What could he do?
To gain time he asked a question.

"Does Elizabeth know about this?" he demanded.

"Not 'er," replied Bindle contemptuously. "She'd like to stop the
birds a-matin', if she could." Suddenly he grinned. "An' there
wouldn't be no lamb to go wi' your mint, 'Earty, if she '