Mornin's seems always all alike to a man as has to dig." "But how well you're doing it, Ike! It's better dug than our men generally dig it." "Be it ?" he said dubiously: "Well, I have punished it pretty well.
Ground's very foul and full o' bear-bine." "Put down your spade and come along with me," I cried; "they're doing something to the well." "All right, I'll come!" said Ike sourly.

"Pay me my wage and I'm ready.
Night work or day work, it's all the same to me, and such is life.
'Tis a rum set out." "Don't grumble, Ike," I said, "on a morning like this." "Grumble! That ain't grumbling.

But I say, young 'un, are you glad I come ?" "Why, of course I am, Ike." "So am I then.

I s'pose I come o' purpose to work along o' you; but I miss my hoss a deal.

I say, Old Brownsmith didn't like it a bit; but here I am; and did you know about young Shock ?" "No: what about him?
Have they caught him and sent him away ?" "No: they've caught him and give him a decent suit of clothes, so stiff he can't hardly move in 'em, and he's took on." "Shock is ?" "To be sure he is; and if he behaves decent his fortun's made." "Oh, look here, my man," said Mr Solomon as we came up, "you had better stop here and help.