Pinkey's young man had called to take her home, and Chook had recognized him for an old enemy, a wool-washer, called "Stinky" Collins on account of the vile smell of decaying skins that hung about his clothes.

Chook began to make love to Pinkey under his very eyes.

And Stinky sat in sullen silence, refusing to open his mouth.

Pinkey, amazed by Chook's impudence and annoyed that her lover should cut so poor a figure, encouraged him, with the feminine delight in playing with fire.

Then Chook, with an insolent grin at Stinky, announced that he was going to see Pinkey home.