“Stop!” said Bessie, “stop! She is not drunk, and you know it! She shall speak!”
The man glanced hurriedly up at the platform, at which the up-train was just arriving, and, tightening his hold on the woman’s arm, swung her round. She was crying covertly.
“Now, then, you fool, just tell the lady you was only a-playin’ it low down on her, on the chance o’ gettin’ a copper or two,” he said. “Yah! I’m ashamed of you! Come on, speak up. There ain’t no time.”
“Time! time, Seth?” the woman sobbed.
“Yes!” he snarled. “You know we’re a-goin’ by the train, as well as I do.”
She shrank back, but he pulled her forward.
“Now, then, tell the lady.”
She turned her eyes upon Bessie, then let them drop.
“It—it wasn’t true, miss, as I was going to tell you,” she said.
“There you are!” exclaimed Seth, triumphantly. “Now come along!” and he hurried the woman up the steps.