The Stars Look Down Page #3

I've worked down there with you.

I've got coal dust pitted in my skin!

It won't wash out as long as I live!

I've seen what it's done to you

with your coughs and your silicosis.

It's done it to my own father!

Mr Barras!

(EAGER SHOUTING)

- We've got a deputation, Mr Barras.

- Shan't be a minute, Arthur.

- All right, Father.

- Good afternoon.

- Good afternoon, Mr Barras.

- Afternoon.

- Ah, Fenwick. You got the scholarship?

- Aye.

- When do you leave?

- Today. I'm waiting for my father.

Let me know when you finish. I might

be able to get you into a council school.

- It's not schoolteaching I'm after.

- I'd like to see you get on anyway.

- You ready?

- Yes, Mr Barras.

- (CHEERY GREETINGS)

- We shan't have any trouble now.

Hey, you!

Hey, he chose me! He chose me!

Three good shirts I'm putting in for you.

Send thy washing to a good woman.

None of their new-fangled laundries.

- Have you got another handkerchief?

- Aye, Mother.

- Making sure he's all poshed up?

- And his pit clothes will be kept posh.

Maybe he'll be satisfied with them

some day, same as yourself, lad.

Hello, Dad! Did you have a good time?

Good as a holiday it was. Pity it weren't

licensed. Anyone seen owt of our Joe?

There's been no sign of him.

You off to Tynecastle, Davey? Best of luck,

lad. I've got great faith in you.

- Thanks, Slogger.

- Bye, Martha.

None of my family needed no college

education. They was good mining stock.

Same as I thought your father were

before he set himself up against pit.

You know they jailed me for nowt.

They got their knife into me over the strike.

That don't surprise me. And I noticed

no one came forward to stand up for thee.

It done one good thing -

left them free to settle strike.

Got it over before I was out, eh?

- Aye. How's your cough been, Father?

- This cough will never kill me.

- I don't want you down Scupper Flats.

- Don't worry about that.

You've got to think about making your way.

You're going to do something

about this industry.

- The men have great hopes of you, lad.

- They don't talk like it.

They think it all the same.

What time you leaving?

- Now you're back, the next train.

- I'll come with you.

Thank you, Martha.

- We'll be getting along, shall we, Davey?

- Aye.

- So long, Hughie.

- Good luck. I'll be in Tynecastle soon.

So long.

Well, I'm off, Mother.

Aye.

Don't forget to keep my pit clothes

waiting for me.

I don't expect thou'll be needing them.

- Here... You'll want a bite for the train.

- Thank you, Mother.

Goodbye, Mother.

- Goodbye, Father.

- Goodbye.

Wilkinson wants 10 each way,

but his limit's five.

Take it. Is that you, Laura?

Is he able to come tonight?

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