own when Lucy comes in from t' school, and not afore. I've
never no peace nor pleasure when he's at 'ome."

"He doesn't ill-treat you, does he?"

"No, but I cannot bear to see him all t' day through, soakin', soakin'.
He can always walk straight, however much he takes, but 'e gets that
nasty by tea-time there's no bidin' in t' 'ouse with 'im. And he
natters so when I cough, an' I can't help coughin'. It's nought much,
an' I've got used to it, but it vexes 'im, an' he says it worries t'
dog."

"He's a brute!" I said; "anybody can see that he thinks more of his dog
than of you."

"Well, you see, his dog's his business. I don't know 'at he's worse
nor lots more 'at makes their business into their god, but it isn't
always easy to bide. An' when I get to t' far end I answer back, an'
that makes fireworks. I wish he wor at Blackpool yet."

At that moment a loud report rang through the house, and I sprang from
my seat in alarm.

"It's nothin'," said Martha; "there's nought to be frightened of. He's
teachin' t' dog some new fool's trick with a pistol, but I don't
believe there's a bullet in it. He nearly frightened me an' our Lucy
out of our wits t' first time he did it."

I sat down again, but my heart was still beating violently. "I fear I
couldn't live with such a companion," I said.

"You'd 'ave to, if you were i' my shoes," she replied. "I'm tied up to
'im, ain't I? Tell me what _you'd_ do. You couldn't get a divorce
even if you'd plenty o' money, for he never bothers wi' other women.
An' t' court wouldn't give me an order, 'cos he doesn't thrash me; an'
t' vicar's wife says 'at it was for better or worse 'at I took 'im, an'
I must kill him wi' kindness. But kindness doesn't kill 'im; nought
does. Oh God, if it wasn't for our Lucy I'd be glad to go where he
couldn't follow."

"You won't think I am preaching, will you, dear," I said, "if I ask you
if you have tried really hard to make him love you? I don't quite know
what you could do, but there must be some way of reaching his heart.
And think how happy you would all be if you could change his heart and
win his love."

"Miss 'Olden, there comes a time when you give up tryin', becos you
fair 'aven't strength an' 'eart to go on. I've done all I could for
that man. He's asked nought of me I 'aven't let 'im 'ave. I'm the
mother of his child, an' I've tried to learn t' little lass to be as
good as she's bonny, bless her! an' I keep her as neat as