"Yes, to have and to hold ... her and her children ... for me ... till I return."
Joe was obviously staggered. His eyes roved the floor; his head weaved to and fro.
"Here, I didn't bargain for this," he muttered.
Ruth thrust out her hand almost sternly, as though to silence him. He took it grudgingly, and then Ern's.
"A suppose A'll do ma best," he said, and slouched out hasty as a schoolboy escaping from the schoolroom.
When he was gone Ruth laid both hands on Ernie's shoulders and looked at him her eyes dazzled with laughter and tears.
"You should never ha done it, Ern!" she said. "Never!"
"There was nothing for it only that," Ern answered sturdily. "It's a world of wolves. Somebody must see to you while I'm away."
She withdrew her hands and stood before him, defenceless now, humble, beautiful, appealing.
"Ern," she said with a little sob, "will you take me up along to the Ambush—our last night and all?"