"This is a nice time of the year for you watchmen," said Benny, not knowing exactly what to say.
"Yes, it's purty fair; we don't git bothered quite so much wi' the youngsters as we do in the winter."
"And so the children bother you in the winter, do they?"
"Well, I don't know they bother me so much, arter all; only they like the fire, yer see, when the weather's cold."
"Just so; you'll get to know a great many children, I should think?"
"Oh, ay, a goodish few."
"Did you ever know a lad called Benny Bates?"
"Ay, yes, poor lad, I should think I did," said Joe, with a sigh; "an' his little sister too, purty little hangel; she's safe enough, thank God. She's wi' the Lord in heaven, but where the poor lad is the Lord only knows."
"Lost, then, is he?"
"Oh, ay, poor bairn, poor persecuted lad; falsely accused he wur, an' it seemed to break his 'eart; he's never been heard of since."