Jane looked down at the water. It was muddy, but it gave a wavering reflection as the wind ruffled it; now and then a piece of driftwood glided from under the bridge, and was borne along toward the factory dam. Her mind flashed round to the factory, and home, and the Christmas tree for to-morrow, and she laughed bitterly. Jump! She had lost _him_, all that had been keeping her up so long--he never meant to marry her, though he said so, and she believed him. Everything went with that love; what was there left? What matter what came now? Jump! But father and Nobby? She couldn't leave them unprovided for. Money, money! she must have money, for _them_. The bells began to chime very softly, as they always did at twelve o'clock of this night in the year. They seemed to say: 'Come! come! come!' She caught at the sound. There was money in the city, and one way yet to earn it. 'They're calling me!' she cried, clutching her dress wildly with both hands; 'they're pushing me into hell--why shouldn't I go? _They'll_ have money, and I'm gone already.' She turned, and walked back without faltering, to the edge of the city, and stopped between the two buildings. There was an alley close by, like one she knew so well; by the noise there was revel in it. She hesitated a minute, crouching out of sight in the shadow of the buildings. 'Don't stop here!' she muttered to herself; 'now as well as any other time!' and turned into the alley. The light was streaming from a door near the middle, and a man in sailor's dress came out and caught a glimpse of her creeping along close to the wall. 'Hey, lass!' he said, 'merry Christmas to ye! 'Rived in port to-day. Been a cruisin'. Locker full, an' all hands piped ashore. What craft be you--a Dutch galley? Sail down a bit, till I get within speakin' distance.' She only staggered closer against the wall. 'Beatin' off, hey? Well, lass, come an' drink to better acquaintance.' 'It's the first time, but I'll go--I'll go with you,' she answered. She followed him to the door. The gas flared full on his face, and she gave a mortal scream. 'Brother Tom!' He made a headlong clutch at her, but she broke away, leaving a fragment of her dress in his hand, and flew round the corner out of his sight. She ran blindly through several streets, but finally she regained the road, and never stopped her headlong speed till she leaned against the door of Adam Craig's cottage. She pushed the door open softly, and went in. Quick as she had been, her brother was there already, standing by Nobby's bed; Adam Craig was there, but his back was turned. 'Did you--tell him?' she whispered. Her brother nodded, and put out his hand. She took it, with a half hesitation. 'He understands,' he whispered, answering the question of her eyes. The old stoker turned around. She made a move to shrink away, but he caught her, and drew her to his breast, crying and sobbing: