More than that, 'e's the only livin' creature that looks at me without seein' my hump." It was the first time in Mrs Yabsley's memory that Jonah had mentioned his deformity.

A tremor in his voice made her look at him sharply.
Tears stood in his eyes.

With a sudden impulse she stopped and patted his head.
"That's all right, Joe," she said, gently.

"I was only pullin' yer leg.

I wanted yer to do the straight thing by Ada, but I wasn't sure yer'd got a 'eart, till the kid found it.