She walked on swiftly now, passing out of Saffrons Croft into the road. He followed at some distance down the hill past the Greys to the Star corner. A man standing there pointed. He turned round to see Joe pounding after him.
"The tickets and badges coom to-night," the engineer explained. "A meant to have given you yours, as A did Mr. Geddes, at the meeting. But you got away. Good night! Friday! Three o'clock sharp! Don't forget."
Ruth had turned and was coming swiftly back towards them.
"Ain't you coming along then, Joe?" she called after him.
"Not to-night, thank-you, Ruth. A got to square up afore we go."
"I am disappointed," said Ruth disconsolately, and turned away down Borough Lane.
Ernie came up beside her quietly.
"That night!" he said. "Almost a pity you didn't stay where you was in bed and let Joe take my place alongside you."
"Hap it's what I've thart myself times," Ruth answered sentimentally.
"Only thing," continued Ernie in that same strangely quiet voice, "Joe wouldn't do it. D'is no fault of his'n. He is a man Joe is; even if so be you're no'hun of a woman."