rd. We're late to-night, and the evening will
be gone directly."

"Well, Jane, I don't like my wife to sit down in such a dirty state as
you're in. I don't see the need of it, when I can be clean enough."

"Oh, no! I dare say not; you men think we women folk can do the dirtiest
work and never soil our fingers and be always ready to dance attendance
on you whenever you choose to come home," said Jane, using her perverse
woman's tongue as she had never before ventured to do in her husband's
presence.

Richard opened his lips to utter a sharp retort, but, being a man of
peace, thought better of it; and, rising from his seat, took down his
hat from its peg, remarking that there was one woman at least who he
knew would be very glad to dance attendance upon him, and as he thought
he had rather neglected her of late, he would go and spend the evening
with her. The moment he had gone, Jane rushed into the street, calling:
"Come back, Richard, do come back!" but Richard had gone too far to
hear, or did not choose to heed her cry.

"He's never left me before," she cried, as she returned to her desolate
room; and conscience, with many a sting, told her that it was all her
own doing.

Richard rapidly made his way to his mother's cottage; but when he
reached it, all was darkness, and there was no answer to his repeated
knocks. "Out nursing again, I suppose," he muttered, and not knowing
whither to turn his steps for the evening, for he was determined not to
return home till late, he stood hesitating.

"Well, Dick, my boy, what brings you away from your home and your wife
to-night? It's a strange thing to clap eyes on you these days," said a
voice at his side; and turning, he saw a man with whom he had formerly
worked.

"You're right; I don't often turn out of nights; but I wanted to see my
mother, and I find she's out."

"The very ticket! your wife won't be expecting you back just yet; and we
want a sociable, sensible fellow like you at our workmen's club. You've
promised me many a time to come and see us; now's your chance!" said the
man, clapping him on the shoulder.

"I don't care if I do look in," said Richard after a moment's
deliberation; "but I mustn't be late."

"Come along, then," answered the man, well pleased with the chance of
introducing a manly fellow like Richard to his companions in the
neighbouring tavern, where the meetings of the club were nightly held.
Suffice it to say, that late that evening Richar