There came into her eyes the tenderness tinged with irony of the woman amused at the eternal egoism of the male. He noted the change in her, thought she had relaxed, and came in upon her, instantly, appealing now—
"Coom and live with me, brother and sister, the lot of you ... A swear to thee a wunna touch thee."
She laughed at him, low and tender.
"Never do, Joe—never!" shaking her head and swallowing.
"Why not then?"
"There's far over much nature in us—two valiant great chaps like you and me be."
Then little Alice entered and went to Joe, who put a sheltering arm about her.
"Her and me and you!" he said huskily to Ruth. "Us three against the world! Laugh at em then!"
Ruth motioned to the child to go on up to bed. She went; and the two striving creatures were left alone once more.
"Ern bequeathed thee to me."