The procession of Chook's loves crossed his mind, and he smiled.

At regular intervals Chook "went balmy" over some girl or other, and, while the fit lasted, worshipped her as a savage worships an idol.

And Jonah was stupefied by this passionate preference for one woman.

He had never felt that way for Ada.
He returned to his own affairs.

Marriage meant a wife, a family, and steady work, for Ada would leave the factory if he married her.