y of his
mates, he had dashed the can of beer on the ground, he would not
have despised himself, he could have forgiven himself; but he knew
perfectly well that, even as the unexpected liquid poured down his
throat, and he realised what it was, he had made up his mind to finish
it, come what might.

He said to himself moodily that men and the devil had combined against
him, and what was the use of fighting any more?

He only hoped that Tom would not guess. He knew Tom would be
disappointed in him, and he avoided seeing him if he was able.
Besides, he knew all Tom could say to him, but he did not mean to try
to be a teetotaller again.

And Tom did guess. But he said nothing, for with his wise, kind eyes
he saw that the time had not come, only, as he went to and from his
work, many an earnest prayer went up from Tom's heart that Jim might
try again, not this time in his own strength, but in the strength of
that One who had died to redeem him from all iniquity; that he might
one day say, "I will go forth in the strength of the Lord God."

So Tom came and went to Jim's home as regularly as ever on a Saturday,
and took Harry out with him. Though he seldom found Jim in, and the
very sight of Jane and the sound of her voice, brought back the shiver
to his heart that had come to it when he knew she had seen and spoken
to Pattie, yet he persevered in coming for the child. If things were
not going too well with Jim, little Harry needed the more love and
guardianship, for was not this a little life that must one day grow to
good or to evil?

He was thankful that Jane never mentioned Pattie, but he little
guessed that her thoughts were ever hovering round the idea of
vengeance for his wrongs, like a moth about a candle.

One Monday evening, Jane returned from her work in Old Keston, full of
wrath and dismay.

She had received a week's notice from her lady, and no reason,
adequate in Jane's mind, had been given for the change. This made her
furious, for though washing jobs were plentiful, one that suited her
as well as this was rare, and she would also lose her vantage ground
of keeping an eye on Pattie and finding a chance of paying her out.

Only one Monday remained to her, but rack her brains as she would, no
way of working her will occurred to her. Yet if she once lost sight of
Pattie, small chance of doing anything would remain.

The last Monday came, and all day Jane kept a sharp look-out on
Pattie's premises; but