furtively from behind the shutter. The
afternoon passed uneventfully. From one till five seemed a very long
time to most of the hands, but to Owen and his mate, who was doing
something in which they were able to feel some interest and pleasure,
the time passed so rapidly that they both regretted the approach of
evening.

'Other days,' remarked Bert, 'I always keeps on wishin' it was time to
go 'ome, but today seems to 'ave gorn like lightnin'!'

After leaving off that night, all the men kept together till they
arrived down town, and then separated. Owen went by himself: Easton,
Philpot, Crass and Bundy adjourned to the 'Cricketers Arms' to have a
drink together before going home, and Slyme, who was a teetotaler, went
by himself, although he was now lodging with Easton.

'Don't wait for me,' said the latter as he went off with Crass and the
others. 'I shall most likely catch you up before you get there.'

'All right,' replied Slyme.

This evening Slyme did not take the direct road home. He turned into
the main street, and, pausing before the window of a toy shop, examined
the articles displayed therein attentively. After some minutes he
appeared to have come to a decision, and entering the shop he purchased
a baby's rattle for fourpence halfpenny. It was a pretty toy made of
white bone and coloured wool, with a number of little bells hanging
upon it, and a ring of white bone at the end of the handle.

When he came out of the shop Slyme set out for home, this time walking
rapidly. When he entered the house Ruth was sitting by the fire with
the baby on her lap. She looked up with an expression of
disappointment as she perceived that he was alone.

'Where's Will got to again?' she asked.

'He's gone to 'ave a drink with some of the chaps. He said he wouldn't
be long,' replied Slyme as he put his food basket on the dresser and
went upstairs to his room to wash and to change his clothes.

When he came down again, Easton had not yet arrived.

'Everything's ready, except just to make the tea,' said Ruth, who was
evidently annoyed at the continued absence of Easton, 'so you may as
well have yours now.'

'I'm in no hurry. I'll wait a little and see if he comes. He's sure
to be here soon.'

'If you're sure you don't mind, I shall be glad if you will wait,' said
Ruth, 'because it will save me making two lots of tea.'

They waited for about half an hour, talking at intervals in a
constrained, awkward way a