"Last week he wrote. Asked me to meet him in the willow-clump by the Lock at sun-down. I thought best goo and have it out with him. It's been goin on over a year now." "Wasn't you afraid?" asked Ernie in awe and admiration. "Afraid of him?" she scoffed, and stripped her arm that was smooth as marble, thick as a cable, and sinuous as a snake. "I can load against the men in the hay. You ask Mus Gander. And I knaw Alf." ... An envelope was in her hand. "Here's the latter." She gave it him. It was undated, and typewritten, and torn, but on the top there was still left enough of the heading to be decipherable--_Caspar's Garage, Saffrons Croft, Beachbourne_. The letter contained an assignation, an indecent suggestion, and a threat; and it was signed _Little Cock Robin_. A small fire spluttered in the grate. Ernie flung the letter on to it, and held it down in the flame with vicious heel. Ruth was on her knees in a moment, trying to rescue the charred fragments. "Eh, but you shouldn't ha done that, Ernie!" she cried. "Why not then?" flashed the other. "Hell's filth, flame's food." Ruth rose, her attempt at salvage having failed. "Ah," she said, "you're simple. You doosn't knaw men. You think they're all same as you. I've learned other. There's a kind of man who when he's got the sway over you there's only one way with him." "And what's that?" "Get the sway over him." He looked at her sternly and with devouring eyes. "Has Alf got the sway over you?" She was stirred and tumultuous, the chords of her being swept by a mighty wind. "He thinks he has," she panted. "That's one why I'm gooin into service--to get away." "You could never leave the child!" cried Ernie. "It's just her I'm thinking of." He came closer. "I claim her!" he cried passionately. "I've a right to her--and to her mother too." She smiled at him wistfully. "Ah, you think you're strong!" "Aye, I'm strong enough when I like. Trouble with me is I don't often like." She shook her head; but he felt the resistance dying out of her. "Goo away now, Ernie!" she pleaded, choking. "Don't tempt a poor girl! There's a dear lad!" "I'll goo away if you'll think it over." "I'll think it over--if you'll goo away." She threw up her head. Beneath her eyelids the tears welled down. He drew her to him: his lips were close to hers; his eyes on hers. Gently she disengaged. "Nay, lad, you mustn't," she said. "I must just reap where I've sown, as the old Book says, and make amends as best I can. No need to drag down all I love along o me." She added on that new note which thrilled him so strangely, "Not as I regrets my child. Never!" CHAPTER LVI FROGS' HALL It was just about the time of Ernie's discovery of Ruth that Mrs. Trupp announced firmly to her husband one evening, a propos of nothing in particular, "I shall tell him where she is now." "She mustn't be let down again," grunted Mr. Trupp, who was devoted to Ruth.