"Jackie's father has come back?"
"You've hit it, that's what happened."
"I'm sorry that man has come across you again. I thought you told me he was married. But, Esther, don't keep me in suspense; what has he done?"
"Sit down; don't stand staring at me in that way, and I'll tell you the story."
Then in a strained voice, in which there was genuine suffering, Esther told her story, laying special stress on the fact that she had done her best to prevent him from seeing the child.
"I don't see how you could have forbidden him access to the child."
He often used words that Esther did not understand, but guessing his meaning, she answered—
"That's just what the missus said; she argued me into taking him to see the child. I knew once he'd seen Jackie there'd be no getting rid of him. I shall never get rid of him again."
"He has no claim upon you. It is just like him, low blackguard fellow that he is, to come after you, persecuting you. But don't you fear; you leave him to me. I'll find a way of stopping his little game."
Esther looked at his frail figure.