sisters, and gifted by nature with mild manners and a soft voice, he became, despite of his uncouth dialect, a pleasant attendant. Kindness and submissiveness rendered him adroit, gentle, quick, and skilful.
"'Tis a great pity such a cleanly quiet boy as you, Ned, should be a collier: it is all very well for George and Dick, because they work with their father, and seem to like their business; but you seem to me fitter for a house than a coal-pit."
"I had rather be any thing else, master Arthur, sure enough, because I hate coal dust, and I love daylight; but, you know, the Catechism says--'We must do our duty in that state of life to which it pleases God to call us.' Besides, father says if I work willingly, I shall learn to read and write soon."
"I will teach you myself," said Arthur, eagerly.
This pursuit could, to a certain degree, be carried on even in the present state of Arthur's convalescence, and it tended greatly to diminish the sense of weariness his long and painful con
