ve she repented
her interview with Pattie, and wished Tom to forget it. She might even
have herself forgotten what she had said about paying Pattie out. She
had undoubtedly had a few glasses the night Tom came in to see
Harry, and that was enough to account for uncontrolled words, and
forgetfulness of them.

Jane had also ceased to grumble at Harry's presence, and she cooked
Jim appetising suppers as of old and she even spoke pleasantly to
Harry. Jim fondly imagined that she was becoming as devoted to the
bright, engaging little fellow as he was himself, and he could not
know that in his absence hard words and frequent blows became the
child's portion whenever his aunt happened to be annoyed with him or
anybody else.

Jim little guessed the real reasons that lurked beneath Jane's changed
and pleasant behaviour. The truth was that her thirst for vengeance
and her desire for strong drink were growing together, and with
them--for it was allied to both of them--cunning grew.

On that evening when Jim had summarily marched her into her bed-room,
she had been enraged beyond words, and had the two men not taken their
immediate departure, there is no saying what might have happened.

But while she waited for Jim's return she had time for reflection.

Aided by the inspiriting action of the supper beer, she had thought
over the situation, and before the inspiriting effect had gone
off, and the lowering, muddling effect had come on, she came to the
conclusion that she would be making a great mistake if she allowed Tom
or Jim to know her intentions against Pattie. What was the use of all
her plans and determination, if they interfered and spoilt it all?
They must think it was only an empty threat, and by and by they would
forget it.

That settled the matter of the desire for vengeance, and she forthwith
brooded over it in silence, till it became part of her very existence.

The thirst for strong drink touched her relations towards Harry.
She was finding the extra money that Jim gave her for the child most
useful. She scarcely missed his food, for he ate but little, and his
share was usually what would otherwise have been wasted. Jane was not
of a thrifty turn of mind, but the money was hard, solid cash, and
gave her a free hand for spending on that in which her soul most
delighted.

It was therefore necessary to make the child at least apparently
comfortable, or Jim might take it into his head to board him out. Any
woman