"Come thy ways in." The father was afraid of the mention of his wife.

The two went indoors.
Paul ate in silence; his father, with earthy hands, and sleeves rolled up, sat in the arm-chair opposite and looked at him.
"Well, an' how is she ?" asked the miner at length, in a little voice.
"She can sit up; she can be carried down for tea," said Paul.
"That's a blessin'!" exclaimed Morel.

"I hope we s'll soon be havin' her whoam, then.

An' what's that Nottingham doctor say ?" "He's going to-morrow to have an examination of her." "Is he beguy! That's a tidy penny, I'm thinkin'!" "Eight guineas." "Eight guineas!" the miner spoke breathlessly.

"Well, we mun find it from somewhere." "I can pay that," said Paul.
There was silence between them for some time.
"She says she hopes you're getting on all right with Minnie," Paul said.
"Yes, I'm all right, an' I wish as she was," answered Morel.