ing to many drops of comfort.

Without any definite intention as far as I can remember, but simply for
lewed gratification, I went up to, and addressed her. She recognized me
and stood stock still. She had a small bottle of what I found afterwards
to be gin in her hand, which she put into her husband's dinner can. I
told her I was sorry for her, having heard the row and all she had said.
The reference to her wrongs roused her, and she said vehemently, "He is
not a man anyhow or anywhere," and then was silent. I did not know what
to say more, and walked on by her side. After a time she said, "Why are
you walking with me sir?" The only reply I made was that I liked it,
and was sorry she had such a bad husband. She said she would rather be
alone, but I walked on with her she carrying the little tin can with a
cover. I not knowing what to do, offered to carry it for her, but she
would not let me.

Then she remarked, "You are very good, but don't come any further,
it won't look well for a poor woman to be walking with a gentleman;
neighbors make mischief, and God knows, I have enough to bear already."
My boldness having quite left me, I shook hands with her, which seemed
to astonish her, and off she went. I followed her at a distance, to her
house, which was one of a row of small cottages fronting a ditch, and
a field, on which carpets were beaten, and boys played, a scrubby poor
place as you may be sure.

I turned back hesitating. One moment wondering at my boldness, and
wickedness in thinking of a married woman; the next, thinking I was a
fool for not having asked her to let me; when I saw in the path, the top
of the tin can she had been carrying. Here was a chance. I walked about
for half an hour before I mustered up courage to go to the house. She
opened her eyes wide when she saw me. "What do you want?" "Here is the
top of the dinner-can," said I innocently. "Oh!" said she, "I am so
glad, he would have hit me if I had lost it." As she took it I entered
and closed the door.

She had finished the gin, for the empty bottle was on the table. She may
have been more than fuddled, I cannot say; for I was so excited that I
recollect only the most prominent circumstances. I was in a funk, but
my cock was stiff, and that overcame all scruples. The house had but two
rooms: a kitchen I was standing in, the street-door opened on to it.
An open door showed a neat bed in a clean white-washed bed-room. How I
began I know not, but r