“Are ter, beguy!” exclaimed the collier. “An’ has ter eaten owt?”
“No.”
“That’s just like thee,” said Morel. “Come thy ways in.”
The father was afraid of the mention of his wife. The two went indoors. Paul ate in silence; his father, with earthy hands, and sleeves rolled up, sat in the armchair opposite and looked at him.
“Well, an’ how is she?” asked the miner at length, in a little voice.
“She can sit up; she can be carried down for tea,” said Paul.
“That’s a blessin’!” exclaimed Morel. “I hope we s’ll soon be havin’ her whoam, then. An’ what’s that Nottingham doctor say?”