It was half past six, a dull October morning, with a dreary drizzling rain.
Bill brought with him a mug of hot tea and some thick slices of bread and butter.

Ned got up and shook himself.
"What o'clock is it, Bill ?" "Half past six--the chaps went off to t' mill an hour gone; oi've kept some tea hot for ee." "Thank you, Bill, my head aches, and so do all my bones, and I feel as if I hadn't been asleep all night, although, indeed, I must have slept quite as long as usual.

Can't I have a wash ?" "Yes," Bill said, "thou canst come to our place; but thou had best take thy breakfast whilst it be hot.

It will waken thee up like." Ned drank the tea and ate a slice of bread and butter, and felt refreshed thereat.

Then he ran with Bill to his cottage and had a wash, and then started for the town.