Ernie flung the letter on to it, and held it down in the flame with vicious heel.
Ruth was on her knees in a moment, trying to rescue the charred fragments.
"Eh, but you shouldn't ha done that, Ernie!" she cried.
"Why not then?" flashed the other. "Hell's filth, flame's food."
Ruth rose, her attempt at salvage having failed.
"Ah," she said, "you're simple. You doosn't knaw men. You think they're all same as you. I've learned other. There's a kind of man who when he's got the sway over you there's only one way with him."
"And what's that?"
"Get the sway over him."
He looked at her sternly and with devouring eyes.
"Has Alf got the sway over you?"