“Thank God!” he said with a genuine reverence in his tone of voice, “and keep such an accident far from my pit.”
“Amen to that,” I replied. “Is this your pit, then?”
“I call it mine,” he said laughing, “but it’s a company’s. I’m manager.”
“Indeed,” I said, “then perhaps you can gratify my wish to go down.”
“Go down?” he said laughing, “Yes, if you’ll come and stay with us a night or two.”
I hesitated, but he pressed me.
“I should like you to come, doctor. A word or two from you would go well home to my pit-lads who are terribly careless. You being a doctor and a scientific man would be believed.”
“How did you know I was a doctor?” I asked.
“How did I know thou wast a doctor? Why, didn’t I come over to Stannicliffe pit, and see you at work with the poor lads. Say you’ll come doctor, you’ll do your work better after a change, and I’ll send word over that you are here if you’re wanted.”
“On those conditions I’ll come then,” I said. “Is that your house?”