sacrifice. Ada's hair, dark and lifeless in colour, decreased the sullen
heaviness of her features; Pinkey's, worn up for the first time, was a
barbaric crown, shot with rays of copper and gold as it caught the light.

"Yous put the kettle on, an' git the tea, an' I'll be ready in no time,"
said Mrs Yabsley. "W'en I was your age, I used ter take 'arf a day ter
doll meself up, an' then git down the street with a brass band playin'
inside me silly 'ead; but now, gimme somethin' new, if it's only a bit o'
ribbon in me 'at, an' I feel dressed up ter the knocker."

At seven o'clock Jonah and Chook arrived. They were dressed in the height
of larrikin fashion--tight-fitting suits of dark cloth, soft black felt
hats, and soft white shirts with new black mufflers round their necks in
place of collars--for the larrikin taste in dress runs to a surprising
neatness. But their boots were remarkable, fitting like a glove, with
high heels and a wonderful ornament of perforated toe-caps and brass
eyelet-holes on the uppers.

Mrs Yabsley, moved by the solemn occasion, formally introduced Chook
and Pinkey. They stared awkwardly, not knowing what to say. In a flash,
Chook remembered her as the red-haired girl whom he had chiacked at the
corner. As he stared at her in surprise, the impudence died out of his
face, and he thought with regret of his ferocious jest and her stinging
reply. Pinkey grew uneasy under his eyes. Again the curious pink flush
coloured her cheeks, and she turned her head with a light, scornful toss.
That settled Chook. In five minutes he was looking at her with the
passionate adoration of a savage before an idol, for this Lothario of the
gutter brought to each fresh experience a surprising virginity of emotion
that his facile, ignoble conquests left untouched. Jonah broke the
silence by complimenting the ladies on their appearance.