'You've the same spirit as your
father, though you've never shown it before; but this coil's too 'ard for
you to untwist, lad. You'd best leave it to your uncle Bill; 'e'll do the
best 'e can for us all, an' there'll always be a bite an' a sup for us
while 'e lives. But Clay's Mills are a thing of the past now, lad.'

Sarah, who, without asking leave of any one, had followed her brother
into the sick-room, broke in now. 'We're not going to live on charity,
mother. If we really are poor I shall just work in a mill, that's all. I
won't live on any one else, not even Uncle Howroyd.'

Her mother and brother both gave her a warning glance.

George said in low tones, 'It's no good exaggerating the misfortune. We
have met with losses, and my father may not be a millionaire at this
moment; but I hope we may not long trespass on Uncle Howroyd's
hospitality, though there is no talk of living on charity.'

As he said this his father opened his eyes, and it seemed to George that
there was a gleam of consciousness in them. He bent over the sick man,
and said in low, clear tones, 'Father, I'll do my best to keep the mills
going. That is your wish, is it not?'

''E can't 'ear, George,' sighed his mother.

'I think he understood,' declared George; and though the others did not
agree with him, they said no more to discourage the young man.

'Come, Sarah,' George said gently to his sister, as he drew her out of
the room with him, 'you'll have to help me to put all this business
right.'

'I? What can I do? I know nothing about accounts, you know,' cried Sarah,
secretly pleased, all the same, at the idea of being of use.

'You are often down at Uncle Howroyd's, and I hear you talking of
"fettles and pieces," and goodness knows what all,' observed George.

Sarah laughed. 'I suppose you mean fettlers (people who clean the
machines) and piecers (those who join the pieces of wool or yarn together
when it breaks),' she explained.

'There! You see I don't even know these words, and if I have to go into
accounts and details I must know them, or I shall be showing my
ignorance, and the people will have no confidence in me,' returned
George.

'But those foreigners don't understand you. What will you do with them?'
inquired Sarah.

'Nothing. I shall send them off the minute this contract is done,' said
George. 'That is to say, if Uncle Howroyd approves.'

'What are you going to do with my approval, my lad?' demanded William
Howroyd