He practically never had to miss work owing to his drinking.
But although he was very steady at work, his wages fell off.

He was blab-mouthed, a tongue-wagger.

Authority was hateful to him, therefore he could only abuse the pit-managers.

He would say, in the Palmerston: "Th' gaffer come down to our stall this morning, an' 'e says, 'You know, Walter, this 'ere'll not do.

What about these props ?' An' I says to him, 'Why, what art talkin' about?
What d'st mean about th' props ?' 'It'll never do, this 'ere,' 'e says.