"Why, he's an old man," they says.

"What good's a man of that age for liftin' ladders about ?" An' Jarvey's no older than me.' Sidney knitted his brows.

He had heard the complaint from too many men to be able to dispute its justice.
'When there's twice too many of us for the work that's to be done,' pursued John, 'what else can you expect?
The old uns have to give way, of course.

Let 'em beg; let 'em starve! What use are they ?' Mrs.Hewett had put a kettle on the fire, and began to arrange the table for a meal.
'Go an' get your wet things off, John,' she said.

'You'll be havin' your rheumatics again.' 'Never mind me, Maggie.