These were times before kindly Education Acts and Factory Acts decreed that no boy under twelve years of age should work in a factory, and that every boy under fourteen should spend half his time at the factory and half at school.

Paul's education was considered complete, and he had to plunge into full time at the grim and grinding place.

He had joined the great army of workers.

A wide gulf separated him from the gang of Budge Street.

It existed for him no more than did the little girls and babies.