I went to see them at their own house afterwards, and it certainly was a pattern of cleanliness, with the little household gods there still.

Seeing that house, a stranger would never dream that the family was living on an average income of less than sixpence a head per week.

But I know how hard some decent folk will struggle with the bitterest poverty before they will give in to it.

The old man came in whilst I was there.

He sat down in one corner, quietly tinkering away at something he had in his hands.