Beer only fuddled his brain, and he looked on its effect with the curious dislike women look on smoking, blind to its fascinations.

As for women, Ada was the only one he had ever been on intimate terms with, and, judging by his sensations, people who talked about love were either fools or liars.

True, he had heard Chook talking like a fool about Pinkey, swearing that he couldn't live without her, but thought naturally that he lied.

And they had quarrelled so fiercely over the colour of her hair, that for years each looked the other way when they met in the street.

But as he looked at Clara again, something vibrated within him, and he was conscious of nothing but a desire to look at her and hear her speak.
"My idea was to buy a piano, an' then yer could give Ray 'is lessons at 'ome," he said.
"That is the only way out of the difficulty," said Clara.
Jonah thought awhile, and made up his mind with a snap.
"Could yer come with me now, an' pick me a piano?
I can tell a boot by the smell of the leather, but pianos are out of my line.