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CHAPTER II
THE BIRTH OF PAUL, AND
ANOTHER BATTLE
AFTER such a scene as the last, Walter Morel was for some
days abashed and ashamed, but he soon regained his old
bullying indifference. Yet there was a slight shrinking, a
diminishing in his assurance. Physically even, he shrank,
and his fine full presence waned. He never grew in the least
stout, so that, as he sank from his erect, assertive bearing,
his physique seemed to contract along with his pride and
moral strength.
But now he realised how hard it was for his wife to drag
about at her work, and, his sympathy quickened by peni-
tence, hastened forward with his help. He came straight
home from the pit, and stayed in at evening till Friday, and
then he could not remain at home. But he was back again by
ten o’clock, almost quite sober.
He always made his own breakfast. Being a man who
rose early and had plenty of time he did not, as some miners
do, drag his wife out of bed at six o’clock. At five, sometimes
earlier, he woke, got straight out of bed, and went down-
Sons and Lovers