She turned on him, anger and laughter battling in her eyes. Then she saw a look upon his face, dark, sullen, and suffering, such as she had never seen there before.
"I done no wrong, Ern," she said. "No need to be that savage wi me."
He became quiet; and she resumed.
"He's been goin on at me a year now—tryin to get me."
"Does he want to marry you?"
Ruth drew back her upper lip till the teeth gleamed white. She looked splendidly scornful.
"Marry me!" she sneered. "That isn't Alf. He wants me—for his sport. Alfs don't marry—not the likes o' me anyways. That ties em down. They want the pleasure, but they won't pay the price."
They had reached Frogs' Hall, mounted the high step, and entered.
Ruth put the child to bed, and then rejoined Ernie in the kitchen.
"Tell the rest," said Ernie. He was white and dogged.