He learned to attend to its little wants with deft fingers, listening with a smile to the kindly banter of the women.

His manner changed to Ada and her mother; he was considerate, even kind.

Then he began to drop in on Monday or Tuesday instead of loafing with the Push at the corner.

Ada was at the factory; but Mrs Yabsley, sorting piles of dirty linen, with her arms bared to the elbow, welcomed him with a smile.

He remarked with satisfaction that a change had come over the old woman.