Clara listened with silent contempt to this torrent of abuse.

She knew that it was false that the more Jonah gave her, the more she spent on drink.

And as she looked at Ada's face, ravaged by alcohol, a stealthy thought crept into her mind that set her heart beating.

Suddenly Ada's anger dropped like a spent fire.
"Did yer say Mr Jones was busy in the shop ?" she inquired, feebly.
"No," said Clara, "I understand that he went down town on important business, and won't be back till late." "Thank yer," said Ada, with a curious glitter in her eyes.

"Would yer mind callin' Ray in?
I want ter send 'im on a message to the grocer's." Clara went into the next room and sent Ray to his mother, stopping for a minute to shut the keyboard and put the music straight.