Ere Jonathan was aware he had dropped the stern rough mien which he had thought it right to assume, and was listening to Steve's story, with every desire to find in it an apology for his situation.
"You see, master," the culprit said, "I left home two days before Christmas to try and make a few shillings by cutting greens and mistletoe, and selling them. Look at my clothes, master; and I hed not been able to give mysen a full meal for a long time. How could I stand t' cold? Nobody likes t' woods better than I do, and I knew well where t' finest berries and holly were, but I could scarce walk or work for t' cold. I was felling asleep all t' time, and I was feared to give way, lest I'd niver wake again. Not that it would hev made much difference to any one—"
"It's a shame o' thee to say that. Thee, that hes such a sister, and a good wife, and little childer, too!"
"Poor Sarah! She hes borne and borne iverything for me. And, master, it isn't my fault, I have tried."
"It is thy fault, thou hesn't tried. There
