“Here, I want a word with you,” he said fiercely.
“All right, Stevens!” I said. “What is it?”
“Come over here,” he replied, “and I’ll tell ye.”
He led the way along the yard to the other side of the great coal heap, which lay there massive and square, through its sides being carefully built up with big blocks of coal.
We were quite out of sight there, and, as I thought, how easy it would be for him to knock me down with one of the lumps.
I was perfectly cool though, till he suddenly seized me by the jacket.
I struck up at his hand, but he held on tightly, and there was a curious smile on his face as he said:
“Nay, you don’t, lad; I’m stronger than thou.”
“What do you want?” I cried, making a virtue of necessity and standing firm.
“What do I want, eh?” he said slowly. “Oh, just a word or two wi’ thee, my lad. There, you needn’t call thee uncle.”