They had their bottles of cheap spirits, for which they had paid into the publican's Christmas club.

She drank, and forgot her misery.

Next morning, when the bells of a neighbouring church were ringing out, they awoke her as she lay fully dressed on her little bed.

She felt ill and dazed, and by and by the consciousness came to her of fast night's drinking.

Christmas Day she spent alone, ill, miserable and ashamed.