Easton had been in no hurry to marry, for he knew that, taking good times with bad, his wages did no average a pound a week.

At the end of that time, however, he found that he could not honourably delay longer, so they were married.
That was twelve months ago.
As a single man he had never troubled much if he happened to be out of work; he always had enough to live on and pocket money besides; but now that he was married it was different; the fear of being 'out' haunted him all the time.
He had started for Rushton & Co.

on the previous Monday after having been idle for three weeks, and as the house where he was working had to be done right through he had congratulated himself on having secured a job that would last till Christmas; but he now began to fear that what had befallen Jack Linden might also happen to himself at any time.

He would have to be very careful not to offend Crass in any way.

He was afraid the latter did not like him very much as it was.