Then, as he took his leave, she stood close against him, and put her cheek up for him to kiss.  There are moments in which a man finds it utterly impossible that he should be prudent,—­as to which, when he thought of them afterwards, he could never forgive himself for prudence, let the danger have been what it may.  Of course he took her in his arms, and kissed her lips as well as her cheeks.

CHAPTER XLIII — THE CITY ROAD

The statement made by Ruby as to her connection with Mrs Pipkin was quite true.  Ruby’s father had married a Pipkin whose brother had died leaving a widow behind him at Islington.  The old man at Sheep’s Acre farm had greatly resented this marriage, had never spoken to his daughter-in-law,—­or to his...