The father away, at some unlawful occupation probably, or sitting drinking his wages in an alehouse.

That was what they saw, and what any man may see to-day for himself in his own village, whether in England or Australia, that working man's paradise.
Drink, dirt, and sloth, my friends of the working orders, will produce the same effects all over the world.
As they came in the woman of the house rose and curtseyed to the Vicar, but the eldest girl sat still and turned away her head.

The Vicar, after saluting her mother, went gently up to her, and patting the baby's cheek, asked her kindly how she did.

The girl tried to answer him, but could only sob.

She bent down her head again over the child, and began rocking it to and fro.
"You must bring it to be christened," said the Vicar kindly.