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ant should not be allowed to go to sleep with an empty stomach； because it would probably wake up hungry in the middle of the night。 He therefore work him up as much as possible and mashed a little of the bread and toasted cheese with a little warm milk。 Then taking the baby from Ruth he began to try to induce it to eat。 As soon； however； as the child understood his object； it began to scream at the top of its voice； closing its lips firmly and turning its head rapidly from side to side every time the spoon approached its mouth。 It made such a dreadful noise that Easton at last gave in。 He began to walk about the room with it； and presently the child sobbed itself to sleep。 After putting the baby into its cradle Ruth set about preparing Easton's breakfast and packing it into his basket。 This did not take very long； there being only bread and butter … or； to be more correct； margarine。
Then she poured what tea was left in the tea…pot into a small saucepan and placed it on the top of the oven； but away from the fire； cut two more slices of bread and spread on them all the margarine that was left； then put them on a plate on the table； covering them with a saucer to prevent them getting hard and dry during the night。 Near the plate she placed a clean cup and saucer and the milk and sugar。
In the morning Easton would light the fire and warm up the tea in the saucepan so as to have a cup of tea before going out。 If Ruth was awake and he was not pressed for time； he generally took a cup of tea to her in bed。
Nothing now remained to be done but to put some coal and wood ready in the fender so that there would be no unnecessary delay in the morning。
The baby was still sleeping and Ruth did not like to wake him up yet to dress him for the night。 Easton was sitting by the fire smoking； so everything being done； Ruth sat down at the table and began sewing。 Presently she spoke：
‘I wish you'd let me try to let that back room upstairs： the woman next door has got hers let unfurnished to an elderly woman and her husband for two shillings a week。 If we could get someone like that it would be better than having an empty room in the house。'
‘And we'd always have them messing about down here； cooking and washing and one thing and another；' objected Easton； ‘they'd be more trouble than they way worth。'
‘Well； we might try and furnish it。 There's Mrs Crass across the road has got two lodgers in one room。 They pay her twelve shillings a week each； board； lodging and washing。 That's one pound four she has coming in reglar every week。 If we could do the same we'd very soon be out of debt。'
‘What's the good of talking？ You'd never be able to do the work even if we had the furniture。'
‘Oh； the work's nothing；' replied Ruth； ‘and as for the furniture； we've got plenty of spare bedclothes； and we could easily manage without a washstand in our room for a bit； so the only thing we really want is a small bedstead and mattress； we could get them very cheap second…hand。'
‘There ought to be a chest of drawers；' said Easton doubtfully。
‘I don't think so；' replied Ruth。 ‘There's a cupboard in the room and whoever took it would be sure to have a box。'
‘Well； if you think you can do the work I've no objection；' said Easton。 ‘It'll be a nuisance having a stranger in the way all the time； but I suppose we must do something of the sort or else we'll have to give up the house and take a couple of rooms somewhere。 That would be worse than having lodgers ourselves。
‘Let's go and have a look at the room；' he added； getting up and taking the lamp from the wall。
They had to go up two flights of stairs before arriving at the top landing； where there were two doors； one leading into the front room … their bedroom … and the other into the empty back room。 These two doors were at right angles to each other。 The wallpaper in the back room was damaged and soiled in several places。
‘There's nearly a whole roll of this paper on the top of the cupboard；' said Ruth。 ‘You could easily mend all those places。 We could hag up a few almanacks on the walls； our washstand could go there by the window； a chair just there； and the bed along that wall behind the door。 It's only a small window； so I could easily manage to make a curtain out of something。 I'm sure I could make the room look quite nice without spending hardly anything。'
Easton reached down the roll of paper。 It was the same pattern as that on the wall。 The latter was a good deal faded； of course； but it would not matter much if the patches showed a little。 They returned to the kitchen。
‘Do you think you know anyone who would take it？' asked Ruth。 Easton smoked thoughtfully。
‘No；' he said at length。 ‘But I'll mention it to one or two of the chaps on the job； they might know of someone。'
‘And I'll get Mrs Crass to ask her lodgers： p'raps they might have a friend what would like to live near them。'
So it was settled； and as the fire was nearly out and it was getting late； they prepared to retire for the night。 The baby was still sleeping so Easton lifted it； cradle and all； and carried it up the narrow staircase into the front bedroom； Ruth leading the way； carrying the lamp and some clothes for the child。 So that the infant might be within easy reach of its mother during the night； two chairs were arranged close to her side of the bed and the cradle placed on them。
‘Now we've forgot the clock；' said Easton； pausing。 He was half undressed and had already removed his slippers。
‘I'll slip down and get it；' said Ruth。
‘Never mind； I'll go；' said Easton； beginning to put his slippers on again。
‘No； you get into bed。 I've not started undressing yet。 I'll get it；' replied Ruth who was already on her way down。
‘I don't know as it was worth the trouble of going down；' said Ruth when she returned with the clock。 ‘It stopped three or four times today。'
‘Well； I hope it don't stop in the night；' Easton said。 ‘It would be a bit of all right not knowing what time it was in the morning。 I suppose the next thing will be that we'll have to buy a new clock。'
He woke several times during the night and struck a match to see if it was yet time to get up。 At half past two the clock was still going and he again fell asleep。 The next time he work up the ticking had ceased。 He wondered what time it was？ It was still very dark； but that was nothing to go by； because it was always dark at six now。 He was wide awake： it must be nearly time to get up。 It would never do to be late； he might get the sack。
He got up and dressed himself。 Ruth was asleep； so he crept quietly downstairs； lit the fire and heated the tea。 When it was ready he went softly upstairs again。 Ruth was still sleeping； so he decided not to disturb her。 Returning to the kitchen； he poured out and drank a cup of tea； put on his boots； overcoat and hat and taking his basket went out of the house。
The rain was still falling and it was very cold and dark。 There was no one else in the street。 Easton shivered as he walked along wondering what time it could be。 He remembered there was a clock over the front of a jeweller's shop a little way down the main road。 When he