“I can’t live without seeing you sometimes. Oh, Les, how can I go back to the old life with Horace after this?”
“Elsie,” said Morrison very low, “would he divorce you if——?”
“Not a hope. It costs money, and he’s too mean. Besides, he’d never do it if he thought I wanted it. He’s cruel, is Horace.”
“Not to you?”
“He doesn’t knock me about, if that’s what you mean—he knows I wouldn’t stand it—but of course he doesn’t care for me, or for anybody but himself. I was told he gave his first a rotten time—anyway, I know she used to look wretched enough. You know there was a first Mrs. Williams?”
“No, I didn’t. Of course, I saw he was much older than you. Oh, Elsie, whatever made you marry him?”
“Oh, I was a fool and I thought I’d like to be married, and get away from home. I didn’t know what it was going to be like, that’s certain. Oh, Les, fancy if I was still Elsie Palmer, and you and me could get married!” She gave a sob.
“Don’t, sweetheart! I’d have asked for your promise, fast enough, if you’d been free, but I couldn’t marry any girl till I’m earning a bit more.”
“Don’t you get a good screw, Leslie?”
“Rotten. But I’m jolly lucky to be in a job at all these days, I suppose.”