Charnock felt puzzled and somewhat daunted, but tried to put his arm round her waist. Sadie seized his shoulders and pushed him violently back.
“Don't you touch me, you drunken hog!” she said.
He gazed at her in dull surprise and then braced himself. Sadie had moods, but generally came round if he made love to her. Besides, although she was in one of her rages, her attitude was irresistibly inciting.
“I'm your husband anyhow. Now don't be a silly little fool——”
She drew back as he advanced and picked up a mop. It was used for polishing board floors and had a long handle.
“You're my husband when you're sober; I didn't marry a whisky-tank. If you touch me, Bob, I'll knock you down!”
Charnock stopped. When Sadie spoke like that she meant what she said. She looked at him steadily for a moment or two, and then put down the mop and turned away. He durst not follow, and when she entered a room close by, he shrugged with half-bewildered resignation and stumbled off.
Sadie, leaning with labored breath against the rail of her bed, heard him fall down the three or four steps in the middle of the passage and afterwards get up and go on again. Then she laughed, a strained, hysterical laugh.