the next day and at four o'clock the boy brought the handcart, which
they loaded with their ladders and other materials. They took these
back to the yard and then, as it was Friday night, they went up to the
front shop and handed in their time sheets. Afterwards, as they were
about to separate, Easton again referred to the subject of their
conversation of the previous evening. He had been very reserved and
silent all day, scarcely uttering a word except when the work they had
been engaged in made it necessary to do so, and there was now a sort of
catch in his voice as he spoke.

'I've been thinking over what you said last night; it's quite true.
I've been a great deal to blame. I wrote to Ruth last night and
admitted it to her. I'll take it as a favour if you and your wife will
say what you can to help me get her back.'

Owen stretched out his hand and as the other took it, said: 'You may
rely on us both to do our best.'

Chapter 51

The Widow's Son

The next morning when they went to the yard at half past eight o'clock
Hunter told them that there was nothing to do, but that they had better
come on Monday in case some work came in. They accordingly went on the
Monday, and Tuesday and Wednesday, but as nothing 'came in' of course
they did not do any work. On Thursday morning the weather was dark and
bitterly cold. The sky presented an unbroken expanse of dull grey and
a keen north wind swept through the cheerless streets. Owen--who had
caught cold whilst painting the outside of the conservatory at
Sweater's house the previous week--did not get to the yard until ten
o'clock. He felt so ill that he would not have gone at all if they had
not needed the money he would be able to earn if there was anything to
do. Strange though it may appear to the advocates of thrift, although
he had been so fortunate as to be in employment when so many others
were idle, they had not saved any money. On the contrary, during all
the summer they had not been able to afford to have proper food or
clothing. Every week most of the money went to pay arrears of rent or
some other debts, so that even whilst he was at work they had often to
go without some of the necessaries of life. They had broken boots,
shabby, insufficient clothing, and barely enough to eat.

The weather had become so bitterly cold that, fearing he would be laid
up if he went without it any longer, he took his overcoat out of pawn,
and that week they