mornin'. I've no opinion o' Roodhouse myself. He
makes a deal o' noise, but I can't 'see as he _does_ anything.'

'You won't catch Dick Mutimer sidin' with Roodhouse,' remarked Daniel
with a wink. 'That's an old story, eh, Tom?'

Thus the talk went on, and the sale of beverages kept pace with it.
About eight o'clock the barmaid informed Daniel that Mrs. Clay wished to
see him. Kate had entered the house by the private door, and was sitting
in the bar-parlour. Daniel went to her at once.

She was more slovenly in appearance than ever, and showed all the signs
of extreme poverty. Her face was not merely harsh and sour, it indicated
a process of degradation. The smile with which she greeted Daniel was
disagreeable through excessive anxiety to be ingratiating. Her eyes were
restless and shrewd. Daniel sat down opposite to her, and rested his
elbows on the table.

'Well, how's all at 'ome?' he began, avoiding her look as he spoke.

'Nothing much to boast of,' Kate replied with an unpleasant giggle. 'We
keep alive.'

'Emma all right?'

'She's all right, except for her bad 'ead-aches. She's had another of
'em this week. But I think it's a bit better to-day.'

'She'll have a rest to-morrow.'

The following day was the August bank-holiday.

'No, she'll have no rest. She's going to do some cleaning in Goswell
Road.'

Daniel drummed with his fingers on the table.

'She isn't fit to do it, that's quite certain,' Mrs. Clay continued. 'I
wish I could get her out for an hour or two. She wants fresh air, that's
what it is. I s'pose you're going somewhere to-morrow?'

It was asked insinuatingly, and at the same time with an air of weary
resignation.

'Well, I did think o' gettin' as far as Epping Forest. D'you think you
could persuade Emma to come? you and the children as well, you know.
I'll have the mare out if she will.'

'I can ask her and see. It 'ud be a rare treat for us. I feel myself as
if I couldn't hold up much longer, it's that hot!'

She threw a glance towards the bar.

'Will you have a bottle o' lemonade?' Daniel asked.

'It's very kind of you. I've a sort o' fainty feeling. If you'd just put
ever such a little drop in it, Mr. Dabbs.'

Daniel betrayed a slight annoyance. But he went to the door and gave the
order.

'Still at the same place?' he asked on resuming his seat.

'Emma, you mean? Yes, but it's only been half a week's work, this last.
And I've as good as nothing to do. There's the childr