Tilly had a spurt of anger.
"Yes—you'd have gone short of everything and made other folks go short—but we äun't that kind."
"You äun't. That's why I'm turning you away."
Her tears welled up afresh.
"Oh, fäather, I'm sorry I spöake lik that. Döan't be angry wud me fur saying wot I did. I'll own as we might have managed better—only döan't send us away—fur this liddle chap's sake," and she pulled forward young Sidney, who was crying too.
"Where are your other sons?"
"Harry's got a wife and children to keep—he cudn't help us; and Johnnie's never mäade more'n fifteen shilling a week since the war."
Reuben stood silent for a moment, staring at the boy.
"Does Realf know you've come here?" he asked at length.
"Yes," said Tilly in a low voice.