My father used to say that no good ever came of mob
violence. They may do some harm for a time, but it is sure to recoil
on their own heads."
"Oi doan't ha' nowt to do wi' it," Bill replied, "cause oi told yer
oi wouldn't; but oi've some trouble to keep oot o't. Ye see oi am
nointeen now, and most o' t' chaps of moi age they be in 't; they
meet at the 'Dog' nigh every noight, and they drills regular out
on t' moor here, and it doan't seem natural for oi not to be in
it, especial as moi brothers be in it. They makes it rough for me
in t' village, and says as how I ain't got no spirit, and even t'
girls laughs at me."
"Not Polly Powlett, I am sure, Bill."
"No, not Polly," Bill replied. "She be a different sort. A' together
it be a bit hard, and it be well for me as oi 'm main strong and
tough, for oi ha' to fight pretty nigh every Saturday. However,
oi ha thrashed pretty nigh every young chap in Varley, and they be
beginning now to leave oi alone."
"That's right, Bill; I am sure I have no right to preach to you
when I am always doing wrong myself; still I am quite sure you will
be glad in the long run that you had nothing to do with King Lud.
I know the times are very hard, but burning mills and murdering
masters are not the way to make them better; you take my word for
that. And now how are things going on in Varley?"
"No great change here," Bill replied.
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