"Bill has told me all about it, and I am sorry indeed for you and for your mother.

It is worse for her, poor lady, than for you.

You will soon be old enough to go out into the world if you don't like things at home; but she will have to bear what trouble comes to her.

And now I thought you would like a cup of tea, so I have brought the kettle and things up.

I haven't had tea yet, and they don't have tea at Bill's; but I like it, though feyther grumbles sometimes, and says it's too expensive for the likes of us in sich times as these; but he knows I would rather go without meat than without tea, so he lets me have it.