Oh! he knew she would. Nellie had been as a mother to himself ever since they were children together.
Not for what the neighbours would say, nor for triumphing over Jane, but for love's sake, he would take Nellie's child and be a father to him.
That was settled finally, but Jane had gone for the beer and there was no one to listen to his determination.
As he sat there rocking his baby, there was one sentence in Nellie's letter that came back to his mind and disturbed it.
"Dear Jim, you'll teach my little Harry about our Saviour, won't you? I've done my best, but children forget so quickly! Tell him that Jesus Christ is our best Friend."
Our best Friend! A stab of pain shot through Jim's heart. Nellie's best Friend, perhaps, but not his, not our best Friend, little sister Nellie!
The baby dropped asleep, but Jane had not returned. She was no doubt enjoying herself at the Green Dragon.
He rose and with the lamp in his disengaged hand, went into the bedroom and laid the baby down, and covered him up warm.
He would make a cup of tea for himself, as Jane had not brought the beer. He wished Jane would give up beer, she might be getting a bit too fond of it, and he would give it up himself if she would.
He rather enjoyed making his tea and a couple of pieces of toast, and setting it out neatly. His supper had left him unsatisfied in every way.