Raymond Ironsyde joined them at this juncture and presently, when Levi went back to his shop and the Hemp Breaker had been duly applauded, the master took John Best aside and discussed a private matter.

“The boy has come back for his holidays,” he said; and Best, who knew that when Raymond spoke of ‘the boy’ he meant Sabina’s son, nodded.

“I hope all goes well with him and that you hear good accounts,” he answered.

“The reports are all much the same, term after term.  He’s said to have plenty of ability, but no perseverance.”

“Think nothing of that,” advised the foreman.  “Schoolmasters expect boys to persevere all round, which is more than you can ask of human nature.  The thing is to find out what gets hold of a boy and what he does persevere at—­then a sensible schoolmaster wouldn’t make him waste half his working hours at other things, for which the boy’s mind has got no place.  Mechanics will be that boy’s strong point, if I know anything about boys.  And I believe all the fearful wickedness that prompted him to burn the place down is pretty well gone out of him by now.”

“I’ve left him severely alone,” said Raymond.  “I’ve said to myself that not for three whole years will I approach him again.  Meantime I don’t feel any too satisfied with the school.  I fancy they are a bit soft there.  Private schools are like that.  They daren’t be too strict for fear the children will complain and be taken away.  But there are others.  I can move him if need be.  And I’ll ask you, Best, to keep your eye on him these holidays, as far as you reasonably can, when he comes here.  It is understood he may.  Try and get him to talk and see if he’s got any ideas.”

“He puts me a good bit in mind of what poor Mister Daniel was at that age.  He’s keen about spinning, and if I was to let him mind a can now and again he’d be very proud of himself.”

“Rum that he should like the works and hate me.  Yes, he hates me all right still, for Mister Churchouse has sounded him and finds that it is so.  It’s in the young beggar’s blood and there seems to be no operation that will get it out.”

Best considered.

“He’ll come round.  No doubt his schooling is making his mind larger, and, presently, he’ll feel the force of Christianity also; and that should conquer the old Adam in him.  By the same token the less he sees of Levi, the better.  Baggs is no teacher for youth, but puts his own wrong and rebellious ideas into their heads, and they think it’s fine to be up against law and order.  I’ll always say ’twas half the fault of Baggs the boy thought to burn us down; yet, of course, nobody was more shocked and scandalised than Levi when he heard about it.  And until the boy’s come over to your side, he’ll do well not to listen to the seditious old dog.”

“Keep him out of the hackling shop, then.  Tell him he’s not to go there.”

Best shook his head.