"But neither do I forget that it takes all your time and labour to provide for your family; and what will become of them if you set about this job, with no return in prospect but the satisfaction of clearing off of an old debt ?" "It is very good of you, sir, to think of that," said the carpenter; "but, begging your pardon, I've thought of it too.

Many's the time you've come after what I'd ha' called work hours to see my wife--yes, in the middle of the night, more than once or twice; and why shouldn't I do the same?
Look ye here, sir.

If you're not in a main hurry, an' 'll give me time, I'll do the heavy work o' this job after six o'clock o' the summer nights, with Sandy to help me, and I'll charge you no more than a journeyman's wages by the hour.

And what Willie and Sandy can do by themselves--he's a clever boy Sandy; but he's a genius Willie--what they can do by themselves, and that's not a little, is nothing to me.

And if you'll have the goodness, when I give you the honest time, at fourpence ha'penny an hour, just to strike that much off my bill, I'll be more obliged to you than I am now.