Looks like a fate aboot it; may be it eel be our toorn next, and if ever that lad waants a man to stand beside him Luke Marner will be there.

And there's Bill too--oi believe that boy would lay down his life for him.

He's very fond of our Janey--fonder nor her own brothers.

He ain't got no sister of his own, and he's took to t' child wonderful since he got ill.

He thowt a soight o' Ned Sankey afore; I doan't know what he wouldn't do for him now." "I don't suppose, feyther, as any of us will be able to do anything for him; but we may do, who knows ?" "Ay, who knows, lass?
toimes is main bad, and oi doot there will be trouble, but oi doan't see as that can affect him no ways, being as he is a lad, and having nowt to do with the mills--but oi do hoape as the time may come, lass, as we can show un as we knows we owes a loife to him." On the Monday following Ned and Charlie returned to school, and found it less painful than Ned had expected.