As he poured out his first cup of tea there was a tap at the door, and on his calling out, "Come in," a young fellow, so like Jane as to be instantly recognised as her brother, entered.
"Hullo!" said he.
"Hullo, Tom! What's brought you over to-night? Will you have a cup of tea?"
"That I will!" said Tom. "Where's Jane?"
"Gone for the beer," said Jim shortly.
"You'd be a deal better off and a deal happier, both of you, if you didn't take any of that stuff," said Tom. "It makes Jane quarrelsome, I'm certain of it."
"I'd give it up if she would," said Jim valiantly. Then he added in a shamefaced sort of way, "you see, when I do give it up for a bit, she has it, and the smell and everything—well, I want it again!"
Tom nodded, gulped down his tea and set down his cup.
"You asked what brought me over," he said. "Pattie has given me up!"
"What!" demanded Jim incredulously, "given you up! Why?"