Ray, when questioned about brandy, had stared at him with bewildered eyes.

And to calm his nerves he made another search of the rooms.
He turned out the drawers and cupboards, meeting everywhere evidence of Ada's slovenly habits.

And at the sight and touch of the tawdry laces and flaring ribbons he was surprised by an emotion of tenderness and pity for his dead wife.

He realized that the last link had snapped that bound him to Cardigan Street and the Push.

Something vibrated in him as he thought of the woman who had shared his youth, and he understood suddenly that no other woman could disturb her possession of the years that were dead.