He was an outsider.

He had denied the God in him.
The only times when he entered again into the life of his own people was when he worked, and was happy at work.

Sometimes, in the evening, he cobbled the boots or mended the kettle or his pit-bottle.

Then he always wanted several attendants, and the children enjoyed it.

They united with him in the work, in the actual doing of something, when he was his real self again.
He was a good workman, dexterous, and one who, when he was in a good humour, always sang.