"How long's that Joe going to stop in my house?" he asked.
"Just as long as I like," she answered coolly.
Next day when Joe came in for tea he found Ruth sitting in the kitchen, nursing little Alice, who was crying her heart out on her mother's shoulder.
"They've been tormenting her at school," Ruth explained. "It's Alf."
"I'll lay it is," muttered Joe. "Ern and me, we'll just go round when he comes back from work."
Ruth looked frightened.
"Don't tell Ern for all's sake, Joe!" she whispered.
"Why not then?"
"He'd kill Alf."
Joe's face betrayed his scepticism.