Alf admitted readily enough that the charge against his sister-in-law was true.
"That's it, sir," he said. "It's that chap Burt. And he don't do what he done for nothin, I'll lay; a chap like that don't."
He produced his book from his pocket, and held it out for the other to see, half turning away with becoming modesty.
"I don't like it, sir—me own sister-in-law. And I've said so to Reverend Spink. Makes talk, as they say. Still it's no concern of mine."
Mrs. Trupp, on hearing her husband's report, went down at once to see Ruth and point out the extraordinary unwisdom of her action.
Ruth met her, fierce and formidable as Mrs. Trupp had never known her.
"It's a lie," she said, deep and savage as a tigress.
"It may be," Mrs. Trupp admitted. "But Alfred did show Mr. Trupp his book. And the rent had been paid down to last Monday. I think you should ask Mr. Burt."
That evening when Joe came up Ruth straightway tackled him.
She was so cold, so terrible, that the engineer was frightened, and lied.