"Me an' the kid took a fancy ter one another long ago." He smiled blandly, in exquisite relief, as if he had confessed a sin or had a tooth drawn.

He took the child from Ada, and it lay in his arms, nestling close with animal content.
Ada looked in silence, astonished and slightly scornful at this development, jealous of the child's preference, already regretting her neglect.
Mrs Yabsley stood petrified with the face of one who has seen a miracle.

For a moment she was too amazed to think; then, with a rapid change of front, she conquered her surprise and claimed the credit for this result.
"I knowed all along the kid 'ud fetch yer, Joe.

I knowed yer'd got a soft 'eart," she cried.

"An' 'e's the very image of yer, wi' the sweetest temper mortal child ever 'ad." From that time Sunday became a marked day for Jonah, and he looked forward to it with impatience.