THE ENGLISH REVIEW

form of greeting, but with a fine rough deference and sympathy.
"I dunna think there's owt amiss -- 'e's non ower theer,
though ! "* -- he jerked his head to signify the "Prince of
Wales."

"E's 'appen gone up to th' ' Yew,' "* said Mrs. Rigley, as if
trying to make the best of it.

"I bet that's wheer he is! " declared the husband.

There was another pause. Rigley had evidently something
to get off his mind :

"Ah left 'im finishin' a stint* ," he began. " Loose-all* 'ad
bin gone about ten minutes when we com'n away* , an' I shouted,
'Are ter comin'* , Walt ?' an' 'e said, 'Go on, Ah shanna be but
a'ef a minnit,* ' so we com'n ter th' bottom* , me an' Bowers,
thinkin' as 'e wor* just behint, an' 'ud come up i' th' next
bantle* ---- "

He stood perplexed, as if answering a charge of deserting
his mate. Elizabeth Bates, now again certain of disaster,
hastened to reassure him:

"I expect 'e's gone up to th' 'Yew Tree,'* as you say. It's
not the first time. I've fretted myself into a fever before now.
He'll come home when they carry him."

"Ay, isn't it too bad !" deplored the other woman.

"I'll just step up to Dick's an' see if 'e is theer," offered the
man, afraid of appearing alarmed, afraid of taking liberties.

"Oh, I wouldn't think of bothering you that far," said
Elizabeth Bates, with emphasis, but he knew she was glad of his
offer.

As they stumbled up the entry, Elizabeth Bates heard
Rigley's wife run across the yard and open her neighbour's
door. At this, suddenly all the blood in her body seemed to
switch away from her heart.

"Mind !" warned Rigley. "Ah've said many a time as
Ah'd fill up them ruts* in this entry, sumb'dy 'll be breakin'
their legs yit."

She recovered herself and walked quickly along with the miner.

"I don't like leaving the children in bed, and nobody in
the house," she said.

"No, you dunna !" he replied courteously. They were
soon at the gate of the cottage.

"Well, I shanna be many minutes. Dunna thee be frettin'*
now, 'e'll be all right," said the butty.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Rigley," she replied.

"It's a' right--dunna mention it--you quite welcome !* "
he stammered, moving away. "I shanna be many minnits."

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