Times without number he had watched her grunt and sweat without stirring a finger.

Bitten with her one idea, she watched him curiously.
It was the baby that betrayed him at last.

Ada was carrying it past him in furtive haste, when it caught sight of his familiar features.
Jonah, off his guard, smiled.

The child laughed joyously, and leaned out of Ada's arms towards him.
"W'y, wot's the matter, Joe ?" cried Mrs Yabsley, all eyes.
Jonah hesitated.

Denial was on his tongue, but he looked again at his child, and a lump rose in his throat.
"Oh, nuthin', missis," he replied, reddening.