"I think you'd much better make it up with her. I daresay she's very sorry for what she's done." "That's all rot, Esther. She ain't sorry, and wouldn't live with me no more than I with her. We could not get on; what's the use? You'd better let bygones be bygones. You know what I mean--marry me." "I don't think I could do that." "You like some other chap. You like some chap, and don't want me interfering in your life. That's why you wants me to go back and live with my wife. You don't think of what I've gone through with her already." "You've not been through half of what I have. I'll be bound that you never wanted a dinner. I have." "Esther, think of the child." "You're a nice one to tell me to think of the child, I who worked and slaved for him all these years." "Then I'm to take no for an answer?" "I don't want to have nothing to do with you." "And you won't let me see the child?" A moment later Esther answered, "You can see the child, if you like." "Where is he?" "You can come with me to see him next Sunday, if you like. Now let me go in." "What time shall I come for you?" "About three--a little after." XXVI William was waiting for her in the area; and while pinning on her hat she thought of what she should say, and how she should act. Should she tell him that she wanted to marry Fred? Then the long black pin that was to hold her hat to her hair went through the straw with a little sharp sound, and she decided that when the time came she would know what to say. As he stepped aside to let her go up the area steps, she noticed how beautifully dressed he was. He wore a pair of grey trousers, and in his spick and span morning coat there was a bunch of carnations. They walked some half-dozen yards up the street in silence. "But why do you want to see the boy? You never thought of him all these years." "I'll tell you, Esther.... But it is nice to be walking out with you again. If you'd only let bygones be bygones we might settle down together yet. What do you think?" She did not answer, and he continued, "It do seem strange to be walking out with you again, meeting you after all these years, and I'm never in your neighbourhood. I just happened to have a bit of business with a friend who lives your way, and was coming along from his 'ouse, turning over in my mind what he had told me about Rising Sun for the Stewards' Cup, when I saw you coming along with the jug in your 'and. I said, 'That's the prettiest girl I've seen this many a day; that's the sort of girl I'd like to see behind the bar of the "King's Head."' You always keeps your figure--you know you ain't a bit changed; and when I caught sight of those white teeth I said, 'Lor', why, it's Esther.'" "I thought it was about the child you was going to speak to me." "So I am, but you came first in my estimation. The moment I looked into your eyes I felt it had been a mistake all along, and that you was the only one I had cared about."