"What do you mean?"
"Nothing. Listen to me, Miriam. I know how to deal with Farren and Shorty. Let them interfere with me, and they'll be precious sorry they did, I can tell you. Now then, if I'm to get away, I must have some more cash. I've spent some of that you gave me."
"I expected that," said Miriam, slipping her hand in her pocket. "Jabez, can't you stop drinking even when your life is in danger?"
"Oh, hold your tongue, and don't begin preaching now. How much have you got here?" he said, weighing her purse.
"Twenty pounds—a ten-pound note and gold. It is every farthing I have."
Mother Mandarin's ears caught the clink of the gold, and she crawled towards them.
"Lovey, dovey, give aunty the blunt; she wants 'eaps of it—'eaps of it!"
Jabez took the money from the purse and put it in his pocket. As the woman clamoured on he swore at her. She yelled at him and threatened. With an oath he picked her up and pitched her like a bale of goods on to an unoccupied mattress.
"Get outside, Miriam," he said, "sharp; I'll follow."
Only too anxious to escape from the repulsive scene Miriam hurried down the stairs. Jabez quickly followed, banging the door with such force as to shake the crazy house.