e doctor orders, and it isn't likely you and Kate can afford it.'

'You're always so kind, Richard. But I am--I am ashamed!'

'I say, Emma, why don't you call me Dick? I've meant to ask you that
many a time.'

She turned her face away, moving as if abashed.

'I don't know. It sounds--perhaps I want to make a difference from what
the others call you.'

He laughed with a sound of satisfaction.

'Well, you mustn't stand here; it's a cold night. Try and come Tuesday
or Wednesday.'

'Yes, I will.'

'Good night!' he said, and, as he held her hand, bent to the lips which
were ready.

Emma walked along the passage, and for some distance up the middle of
the street. Then she stopped and looked up at one of the black houses.
There were lights, more or less curtain-dimmed, in nearly all the
windows. Emma regarded a faint gleam in the topmost storey. To that she
ascended.

Mutimer walked homewards at a quick step, whistling to himself. A
latch-key gave him admission. As he went down the kitchen stairs, he
heard his mother's voice raised in anger, and on opening the door he
found that Daniel had departed, and that the supper table was already
cleared. Alice, her feet on the fender and her dress raised a little,
was engaged in warming herself before going to bed. The object of Mrs.
Mutimer's chastisement was the youngest member of the family, known
as 'Arry; even Richard, who had learnt to be somewhat careful in his
pronunciation, could not bestow the aspirate upon his brother's name.
Henry, aged seventeen, promised to do credit to the Mutimers in physical
completeness; already he was nearly as tall as his eldest brother; and,
even in his lankness, showed the beginnings of well-proportioned vigour.
But the shape of his head, which was covered with hair of the lightest
hue, did not encourage hope of mental or moral qualities. It was not
quite fair to judge his face as seen at present; the vacant grin of half
timid, half insolent, resentment made him considerably more simian of
visage than was the case under ordinary circumstances. But the features
were unpleasant to look upon; it was Richard's face, distorted and
enfeebled with impress of sensual instincts.

'As long as you live in this house, it shan't go on,' his mother was
saying. 'Sunday or Monday, it's no matter; you'll be home before eleven
o'clock, and you'll come home sober. You're no better than a pig!'

'Arry was seated in a far corner of the room, where he ha