I hope it was not the distemper that turned his face so green! They say it has broken out in three streets hard by, and that it is spreading like wildfire." Joseph shuddered as he listened and crept away to the corner where his brother was generally to be found.

And there sure enough was Benjamin, a pretty fair-haired boy, who looked scarce strong enough for the task in hand, but who was yet working might and main with chisel and hammer.

His face brightened at sight of his brother, yet he did not relax his efforts, only saying eagerly: "How goes it at home with them all, Joseph?
I trow it is the coffin makers, not the lace makers, who have all the trade nowadays! We are working night and day, and yet cannot keep up with the orders." Benjamin was half proud of all this press of business, but he did not look as though it agreed with him.

His face was pale, and when at last he threw down his hammer it was with a gasp of exhaustion.
The day was very hot, and he had been at work before the dawn.

It was no wonder, perhaps, that he looked wan and weary, yet the master passing by paused and cast an uneasy glance at him.