Page:Gissing - The Nether World, vol. I, 1889.djvu/298

 me, an’ I told it him plain. He wanted to a’ done with her, and to a’ done with us. Am I speakin’ the truth or not?”

“Why should he think that way, John?” pleaded the woman, faintly. “You know very well as Clara ‘ud never listen to him. What need had he to do such things?”

“Oh, yes, I’m wrong! Of course I’m wrong! You always did go against me when there was anything to do with Clara. She’d never listen to him? No, of course she wouldn’t, an’ he couldn’t rest till he saw her come to harm. What do you care, either? She’s no child of yours. But I tell you I’d see you an’ all your children beg an’ die in the streets rather than a hair o’ my own girl’s head should be touched!”

Indulgence of his passion was making a madman of him. Never till now had he uttered an unfeeling word to his wife, but the look with which he accompanied this brutal speech was one of fiery hatred.

“Don’t turn on her” cried Sidney, with bitterness. “Say what you like to me, and