Page 309 - sons-and-lovers

er took four-and-six each. And because Morel’s coals had
come, and the leading was stopped, Barker and Wesson
took four shillings each. Then it was plain sailing. Morel
gave each of them a sovereign till there were no more sover-
eigns; each half a crown till there were no more half-crowns;
each a shilling till there were no more shillings. If there was
anything at the end that wouldn’t split, Morel took it and
stood drinks.
Then the three men rose and went. Morel scuttled out of
the house before his wife came down. She heard the door
close, and descended. She looked hastily at the bread in the
oven. Then, glancing on the table, she saw her money ly-
ing. Paul had been working all the time. But now he felt his
mother counting the week’s money, and her wrath rising,
‘T-t-t-t-t!’ went her tongue.
He frowned. He could not work when she was cross. She
counted again.
‘A measly twenty-five shillings!’ she exclaimed. ‘How
much was the cheque?’
‘Ten pounds eleven,’ said Paul irritably. He dreaded what
was coming.
‘And he gives me a scrattlin’ twenty-five, an’ his club this
week! But I know him. He thinks because YOU’RE earning
he needn’t keep the house any longer. No, all he has to do
with his money is to guttle it. But I’ll show him!’
‘Oh, mother, don’t!’ cried Paul.
‘Don’t what, I should like to know?’ she exclaimed.
‘Don’t carry on again. I can’t work.’
She went very quiet.

0 Sons and Lovers