'But why can't _you_ come?' he asked good-naturedly, slapping his
hat against his leg.
'I have some work that'll take me nearly all day.'
'But you've no business to work on a bank holiday. I'm not sure as
it ain't breakin' the law.'
He laughed, and Emma did her best to show a smile. But she said
nothing.
'But you _will_ come, now? You can lose just the one day? It'll do
you a power o' good. You'll work all the better on Tuesday, now see
if you don't. Why, it ain't worth livin', never to get a holiday.'
'I'm very sorry. It was very kind indeed of you to think of it, Mr.
Dabbs. I really can't come.'
He went again to the window, and thence to the children's bedside.
He bent a little and watched them breathing.
'Bertie's growin' a fine little lad.'
'Yes, indeed, he is.'
'He'll have to go to school soon, I s'pose--I'm afraid he gives you
a good deal of trouble, that is, I mean--you know how I mean it.'
'Oh, he is very good,' Emma said, looking at the sleeping face
affectionately.
'Yes, yes.'
Daniel had meant something different; he saw that Emma would not
understand him.
'We see changes in life,' he resumed, musingly. 'Now who'd a'
thought I should end up with having more money than I. know how to
use? The 'ouse has done well for eight years now, an' it's likely to
do well for a good many years yet, as far as I can see.
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