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The Cricketers' Arms Easton shook his head and laughed foolishly. 'Don't be angry, Ruth; it's no good, you know.'

He walked clumsily towards her, still leaning on the table to steady himself.

'Don't be angry,' he mumbled, as he stooped over her, putting his arm round her neck and his face close to hers. 'It's no good being angry, you know, dear.'

She shrank away, shuddering with involuntary disgust as he pressed his wet lips and filthy moustache upon her mouth. His fetid breath, foul with the smell of tobacco and beer, filled her with loathing. He kissed her repeatedly, and when at last he released her she hastily wiped her face with her handkerchief and shivered.

Easton said he did not want any tea, and went upstairs to bed almost immediately. Ruth did not want any tea either, although she had been very hungry before he came home. She sat up very late sewing, and when at length she went upstairs she found him lying on his back, partly undressed, on the outside of the bedclothes, with his mouth wide open, breathing stertorously. 165