Ernie left the court rejoicing; for he knew he had escaped lightly. Outside he waited to thank his friend for his support.
"Comin up along?" he coaxed.
"Nay, ma lad," retorted the engineer with the touch of brutality which not seldom now marked his intercourse with the other. "You must face the missus alone. Reck'n A've done enough for one morning."
Ern went off down Saffrons Road in the direction of Old Town, crest-fallen as is the man whose little cocoon of self-defensive humbug has suddenly been cleft by a steel blade.
Joe marched away down Grove Road. Alf caught him up. The little chauffeur was smiling that curds-and-whey smile of his.
"Say, Burt!—you aren't half a liar, are you?" he whispered.
Joe grinned genially.
"The Church can't have it all to herself," he said. "Leave a few of the lies to the laity."
Ern trudged back from the Town Hall, across Saffrons Croft, to the Moot, in unenviable mood; for he was afraid, and he had cause.
Ruth was who standing in the door came stalking to meet him, holding little Alice by the hand.