Thompson and Davies were deep in
conversation with the men who remained, and, stealing behind them, he
overheard their plot, and their intention of persuading Stephen to join
them. After that he dare not for his very life come forward when the
skip descended, and he watched them go up, leaving him alone for the
night in that dismal place. He had his father's lamp with him, and so
made his way to the bottom of the old shaft, and waited, with what
impatience and anxiety we may imagine, to hear Stephen return from his
work.
'It was awfully lonesome,' he said, 'and I thought Stephen would never
come, or I'd never make him hear. It wasn't much better after he had
come, only for thinking Miss Anne would be safe. My lamp went out, and I
reckon I said "Our Father" over a hundred times. Besides, I was
wondering what was being done overhead. I'll never be left behind
anywhere again, I can tell ye.'
'Well,' said Stephen, 'my sheep and lambs don't know about the fire, and
I must be off. They'll want me just as bad as if I'd been in bed all
night.'
Still he could not help turning aside with Tim just for another glimpse
of the smouldering ruins, looking so black and desolate in the daylight.
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