“‘Ay.’
“‘And I’ll carry a little pail of milk along, mother.’
“‘Well, honey, do.’
“After dinner they went, and I went in Silky’s pocket. The factory was not a great distance from Mrs. Meadow’s house, which stood half way between that and the town. Mrs. Meadow asked for Mr. Swift, and presently he came. Mrs. Meadow was a general favourite, I had found before; everybody spoke her fair; certainly she did the same by everybody.
“‘Is little Norman Finch at work to-day, Mr. Swift?’
“‘Norman Finch? Well, yes, ma’am, he’s to work,’ said the overseer;—‘he don’t do much work this day or so.’
“‘He’s not just right well, Mr. Swift.’
“‘Well, no, I s’pose he isn’t. He hasn’t hard work neither; but he’s a poor little billet of a boy.’
“‘Is he a good boy, sir?’