The sky to the northward was streaked with a belt of livid green colour, above which rose a mighty black cloud, whose shape was ever changing.
Hush, my dear Richard 鈥� it must be Richard now, I suppose. This is not the time for explanations. Besides, the waiter might hear you. Let us have some supper; you must be hungry, I am sure.鈥� He advanced to the table mechanically. But how fat you are!鈥� she continued. Too good living, I suppose. You were not so fat at Port Ar 鈥�-Oh, I forgot, my dear! Come and sit down. That鈥檚 right. I have told them all that I am your wife, for whom you have sent. They regard me with some interest and respect in consequence. Don鈥檛 spoil their good opinion of me.鈥�
Poor Bates?鈥�
Poor fellow!鈥� said Sylvia.
You remember Lucy Barnes 鈥� poor little Lucy Barnes that stole sixpennyworth of calico. She is downstairs now. Would you know her if you saw her? She isn鈥檛 the bright-faced baby she was when they sent her here to 鈥榬eform鈥�, and when Lieutenant Frere wanted a new housemaid from the Factory! Call for her!鈥� call! do you hear? Ask any one of those beasts whom you lash and chain for Lucy Barnes. He鈥檒l tell you all about her 鈥� ay, and about many more 鈥� many more poor souls that are at the bidding of any drunken brute that has stolen a pound note to fee the Devil with! Oh, you good God in Heaven, will You not judge this man?鈥�
I鈥檒l report this to the Government,鈥� said North, aghast. This is murderous.鈥�
The lad鈥檚 back, swollen into a lump, now presented the appearance of a ripe peach which a wilful child had scored with a pin. Dawes, turning away from his bloody handiwork, drew the cats through his fingers twice. They were beginning to get clogged a little.