His last words once more put her on her guard; she moved
towards the table again.
'Give me the address,' said her husband. 'I'll go and have a talk
with my relations. What sort of a girl's Janey grown up--eh?'
'If you'll wait a bit, you can see for yourself. She's goin' to call
here at twelve.'
'Oh, she is? I suppose you've arranged a pleasant little surprise
for her? Well, I must say you're a cool band, Clem. I shouldn't
wonder if she's been in the house several times since I've been
here?'
'No, she hasn't. It wouldn't have been safe, you see.'
'Give me the corkscrew, and I'll open this bottle of whisky. It
takes it out of a fellow, this kind of thing. Here's to you, Mrs.
Clem! Have a drink? All right; go downstairs and show your mother
you're alive still; and let me know when Jane comes. I want to think
a bit.'
When he had sat for a quarter of an hour in solitary reflection the
door opened, and Clem led into the room a young girl, whose face
expressed timid curiosity. Joseph James stood up, joined his hands
under his coat-tail, and examined the stranger.
'Do you know who it is?' asked Clem of her companion.
'Your husband--but I don't know his name.
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