'Oh, you ——!' she screamed.
She seized the poker, and in a fury of rage rushed at him.
'Would yer?' he said, catching hold of it and wrenching it from her grasp. He threw it to the end of the room and grappled with her. For a moment they swayed about from side to side, then with an effort he lifted her off her feet and threw her to the ground; but she caught hold of him and he came down on the top of her. She screamed as her head thumped down on the floor, and the children, who were standing huddled up in a corner, terrified, screamed too.
Jim caught hold of his wife's head and began beating it against the floor.
She cried out: 'You're killing me! Help! help!'
Polly in terror ran up to her father and tried to pull him off.
'Father, don't 'it 'er! Anythin' but thet—for God's sike!'
'Leave me alone,' he said, 'or I'll give you somethin' too.'
She caught hold of his arm, but Jim, still kneeling on his wife, gave Polly a backhanded blow which sent her staggering back.
'Tike that!'