I have patched
them beyond holding together, almost; but I could get no new ones."
"Never mind that," said Louis. "We will go to the mill for him and his
little friend, too, if he can go."
"Oh! yes, sir; he can, and I am so glad, for the father is a miserably
discouraged man. He drinks to drown trouble, and it seems to me he will
drown them all after a little. A pleasant man, too. His wife says poor
health first caused him to use liquor."
We then called on the woman in question and obtained her tearful
consent, for while the promise of a home for her boy was a bright gleam,
she said:
"He is the oldest. Oh! I shall miss him when we are sick."
"He shall come to you any time," said Louis, "and you shall visit him."
And in a few moments we were at the mill. Entering the office, Louis was
cordially greeted by one of the three gentlemen who had called on us. He
evidently anticipated his errand, for he said:
"So, you are come for Willie Moore and Burton Brown?"
"Yes, sir," Louis replied. "Can I go to the room for them?"
"As you please, Mr. Desmonde, I can call them down. Their room is not a
very desirable place for a lady to visit."
Louis looked at him as if to remind him of something, while I said:
"My place is beside my husband."
"Yes," added Louis, "we work together. Come, Emily," and he led the way
to the fourth floor, where, under the flat roof in a long, low room,
were the little wool pickers. I thought at first I could not breathe,
the air was so close and sickening.
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