"That's what was wrong with Ma!" Tom was saying, in a dull voice, to himself.
"I wonder Old George or Mary didn't prepare ye," said Easu. "They both came down before the baby came. But seemingly Old George couldn't do nothing. Percy confessing he was married, and trying to say he wasn't to blame. However, he's run off with Monica all right. Ma had a letter from her from Albany, to say there was no need to worry, Percy was playin' the gentleman."
"She never cared for him," Jack cried.
"I dunno about that. Seems she's been mad about him all the time. Maybe she waited for you to come back. I dunno! I tell you, I've never been over to Wandoo for nigh on two years."
Jack could not bear any more. The golden light had gone out of the room, the sun was under the ridge—that ridge——
"Let's get, Tom!" said Jack rising to his feet.
They stumbled out of the house, and went home in silence, through the dusk. Again the world had caved in, and they were walking through the ruins.
Ma was upstairs when they got home, but Katie had got the tea on the table, and Lennie was in. He was a tall, thin, silent, sensitive youth.
"Hullo, you two wanderin' Jews!" he said.
"Hello, Len!"