This done he returned to the kitchen and sat down at the table.
'I couldn't think what to give you to eat tonight,' said Ruth as she poured out the tea.

'I hadn't got no money left and there wasn't nothing in the house except bread and butter and that piece of cheese, so I cut some bread and butter and put some thin slices of cheese on it and toasted it on a place in front of the fire.

I hope you'll like it: it was the best I could do.' 'That's all right: it smells very nice anyway, and I'm very hungry.' As they were taking their tea Easton told his wife about Linden's affair and his apprehensions as to what might befall himself.

They were both very indignant, and sorry for poor old Linden, but their sympathy for him was soon forgotten in their fears for their own immediate future.
They remained at the table in silence for some time: then, 'How much rent do we owe now ?' asked Easton.
'Four weeks, and I promised the collector the last time he called that we'd pay two weeks next Monday.

He was quite nasty about it.' 'Well, I suppose you'll have to pay it, that's all,' said Easton.
'How much money will you have tomorrow ?' asked Ruth.
He began to reckon up his time: he started on Monday and today was Friday: five days, from seven to five, less half an hour for breakfast and an hour for dinner, eight and a half hours a day--forty-two hours and a half.