Me blood's that bad fer want of proper food an'nourishment."She began to unfasten a dirty bandage below her knee.Clara turned her head in disgust.
The flesh was covered with ulcerated sores.
"I don't know 'ow you find 'im,Miss Grimes,"she continued,her voice rising in anger,"but if yer believe me,a meaner man niver walked the earth.I've 'ad ter pawn the things in this very room ter pay the baker an'the grocer.That's 'ow 'e makes 'is money.Starvin''is own wife ter squeeze a few shillin's for 'is bankin'account.'E knows I can't go outside the door,'cause I've got nuthin'ter put on;but 'e takes jolly good care ter go down town an'live on the fat of the land."From the next room came the fitful,awkward sounds of a five-finger exercise from Ray.Clara listened with silent contempt to this torrent of abuse.She knew that it was false that the more Jonah gave her,the more she spent on drink.And as she looked at Ada's face,ravaged by alcohol,a stealthy thought crept into her mind that set her heart beating.
Suddenly Ada's anger dropped like a spent fire.
"Did yer say Mr Jones was busy in the shop?"she inquired,feebly.
"No,"said Clara,"I understand that he went down town on important business,and won't be back till late.""Thank yer,"said Ada,with a curious glitter in her eyes."Would yer mind callin'Ray in?I want ter send 'im on a message to the grocer's."Clara went into the next room and sent Ray to his mother,stopping for a minute to shut the keyboard and put the music straight.After every lesson she was accustomed to examine the piano as if it were her own property.When she entered the bedroom again,Ada was whispering rapidly to Ray.She looked up as Clara entered,and gave him some money in a piece of paper.
"An'tell 'im I'll send the rest to-morrer,"she added aloud.Ray went down the back stairs,swinging an empty millet-bag in his hand.For another five minutes Clara remained standing,to show that she was anxious to get away,while Ada abused her husband,giving detailed accounts of his meanness and neglect.Suddenly her mood changed.