All the centuries of woman since sex began were eloquent in her eyes.

And he measured her in a careless way, and knew, bold now, that she would begin to retreat, coyly and delicately, as he pursued, ever ready to reverse the game should he turn fainthearted.

And, too, he was human, and could feel the draw of her, while his ego could not but appreciate the flattery of her kindness.

Oh, he knew it all, and knew them well, from A to Z.

Good, as goodness might be measured in their particular class, hard-working for meagre wages and scorning the sale of self for easier ways, nervously desirous for some small pinch of happiness in the desert of existence, and facing a future that was a gamble between the ugliness of unending toil and the black pit of more terrible wretchedness, the way whereto being briefer though better paid.
"Bill," he answered, nodding his head.