"You're not the only one I got to think of," replied Ruth remorselessly. "And it's no good talking. I shan't forgive you till you've won back the position you lost when he sack you. Half a dollar a week makes just the difference between can and can't to me. See, I can't goo to the wash-tub now as I could to make up one time o day when I'd only the one. So I must look to you. And if I look in vain you got to hear about it. I mean it, Ernie," she continued. "I'm fairly up against it. There's no gettin round me this time. And if you won't think o me, you might think o the children. It's they who suffer." She had touched the spot this time. "Steady with it then!" cried Ernie angrily. "Don't I think o you and the children?" "Not as you should," answered Ruth calmly. "Not by no means. We should come first. Four of them now--and twenty-two bob to keep em on. Tain't in reason." She faced him with calm and resolute eyes. "And it mustn't happen again, Ern," she said. "See, it's too much. Nobody's fault but your own." Ernie went out in sullen mood, and for the first time since the smash turned into the _Star_. He had not been there many minutes when a navvy, clouded with liquor, leaned over and inquired friendly how his barstards were. Ern set down his mug. "What's this then?" he asked, very still. The fellow leaned forward, leering, a great hand plaistered on either knee. "Don't you know what a bloody barstard is?" he asked. He was too drunk to be afraid; too drunk to be accountable. Ernie dealt with him as a doctor deals with a refractory invalid--patiently. "Who's been sayin it?" he asked. "Your own blood-brother--Alf." Ernie tossed off his half-pint, rose, and went out. He walked fast down the hill to the Goffs. People marked him as he passed, and the look upon his face: he did not see them. Alf was in his garage, talking to a man. The man wore a burberry and a jaeger hat, with a hackle stuck in the riband. There was something jaunty and sword-like about him. Ern, as he drew rapidly closer, recognised him. It was Captain Royal. The conjunction of the two men at that moment turned his heart to steel. He was walking; but he seemed to himself to be sliding over the earth towards his enemies, swift and stealthy as a hunting panther. As he went he clutched his fists and knew that they were damp and very cold. When Ernie was within a hundred yards of him Royal, all unconscious of the presence of his enemy, swung out of the garage and walked off in his rapid, resolute way. Alf went slowly up the steps into his office. He was grinning to himself. "'Alf a mo then!" said Ernie quietly, hard on his heels. "Just a word with you, Alf." Alf turned, saw his brother crossing the yard, marked the danger-flare on his face, remembered it of old, and bolted incontinently, without shame, locking the house door behind him. Ern hammered on the door.