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Show Chapter Eighteen Sandy opened her eyes and sat up. The old man was preparing breakfast over an old coal stove. "Good morning, child," he said, smiling. "You slept a long time! I hope you're hungry!" "Oh, yes, I'm starved!" said the girl. "Come, sit down and eat," he said kindly. Sandy went over to the rough wooden table and he poured some hot mush into a bowl and gave it to her. She ate greedily. As she ate, the old man asked her name. "My name is Sandy," she replied. "What is your name?" "They call me Lamm.*' "I didn't see any people when I was descending into your valley," said Sandy. "Y/here are they?" "Many of the people were at the mines, and the rest were working on the farms and at the factories. They came home while you were sleeping. It is morning now, and they will soon be leaving again." Sandy finished eating and walked to the open door. The once empty cottages and walks were now filled with people as they made preparations to go to their labours. They were thin and ragged like the old man, but she heard no complaints, and no bickering. The mothers held their children's hands tenderly as they departed with'their meagre lunches. "Goodbye! I shall be along in a minute!" called a pretty young wife to her husband. A small, haggard-looking woman came to the door where Sandy stood. "Oh, hello dear," she smiled, pushing a wisp of |
