On Bill's side the feeling was one of intense gratitude for the
kindness and attention which Ned had paid him, for his giving up
his play hours to his amusement, and the pains which he had taken
to lighten the dreary time of his confinement. Added to this there
was a deep admiration for the superior knowledge of his friend.
"There was nothing," he often said to himself, "as oi wouldn't do
for that young un."
CHAPTER III: A CROPPER VILLAGE
Bad as were times in Varley, the two public houses, one of which
stood at either end of the village, were for the most part well
filled of an evening; but this, as the landlords knew to their
cost, was the result rather of habit than of thirst. The orders
given were few and far between, and the mugs stood empty on the
table for a long time before being refilled. In point of numbers the
patrons of the "Brown Cow" and the "Spotted Dog" were not unequal;
but the "Dog" did a larger trade than its rival, for it was the
resort of the younger men, while the "Cow" was the meeting place of
the elders. A man who had neither wife nor child to support could
manage even in these hard times to pay for his quart or two of
liquor of an evening; but a pint mug was the utmost that those who
had other mouths than their own to fill could afford.
Fortunately tobacco, although dear enough if purchased in the towns,
cost comparatively little upon the moors, for scarce a week passed
but some lugger ran in at night to some little bay among the cliffs
on the eastern shore, and for the most part landed her bales and
kegs in spite of the vigilance of the coast guard.
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