Stokeley town is a mile or two farther on; it is a beastly sort of hole." "It does not sound an inviting spot certainly." "Well, it is not exactly a Garden of Eden," returned Cedric with a grin.

"But, as David says, it has its advantages, for one can wear out one's old clothes quite comfortably.

I believe there is really beautiful country two or three miles away." "I suppose Mr.Carlyon's mother is living too ?" But here Cedric shook his head.
"No, she died when David was a youngster--consumption, I believe--and two or three of the children died too.

But there is one daughter, Theo they call her--for Theodora, I expect--and a precious uncomfortable piece of goods she is." Malcolm raised his eyebrows in a questioning manner, but Cedric needed no encouragement to rattle on.
"She is a young woman with a mission--a sort of female Moody and Sankey rolled in one--and she calls herself the Miner's Friend.

She is so full of good works, don't you know, that she has not time for domestic duties; and so Carlyon pere and Carlyon frere have a roughish time of it." Malcolm's thoughts instinctively reverted to his mother.