They had travelled on the Continent for six months after coming down from the ’Varsity, and this was their first day of real, hard work. It had left them both eager to begin another day, for they were anxious to learn more of the wonderful workings of the mine below the surface of the earth. They had walked cheerily toward Marshfielden, eager to reach their apartments and have a good meal. They liked Slater, and felt that they would be comfortable and happy in his home. “How do you feel, young gentlemen?” he asked them. “I’m dead tired,” answered Alan, the elder, a man of some twenty-five years, while his cousin, Desmond, a year younger, yawned lustily, as he asked, “How much further is that adorable little home of yours, Slater?” “We’re nigh there, sir. There’s my Mary at the gate.” “What, the little cottage at the bend?” asked Alan. “Yes, sir. She’s a good lass, is my missus. She’ll treat you well, and make you comfortable and happy.” The rest of the short way was trodden in silence, and at length the two young men stepped across the threshold of Sweet William Cottage, as the Slaters’ home was called. The room they were ushered into was old-world and sweet. The lattice windows were open wide, letting in the soft, fresh air of summer. The ceiling was low and beamed, and the furniture was of old dark oak; while the bright chintz hangings took away all hint of sombreness. The table was laid, and within a few minutes of their arrival they were sitting down to an appetizing repast. Neither of them spoke for some time, and then Desmond laid down his knife and fork with a sigh. “I’m done” said he. “I should just think you were” laughed his cousin “You’ve been stuffing incessantly for over half an hour” Alan rang the bell for the table to be cleared and then they lit their pipes. “How do you feel?” asked Desmond. “Very tired—very sore—and very bruised” “So am I. I think I shall like the life of a miner, though” “Rather! What a ripping set of chaps they are!” So they chattered on until it was time for them to retire. At peace with each other, at peace with the world, they slept until a knock at their bedroom door awakened them. “Yes” sleepily answered Desmond. “It’s four o’clock, young gentlemen, you’d better get up” Alan woke up lazily to hear Desmond cry out in amazement. “Surely not yet, Slater?” “Yes, sir. You must be at the mine by five fifteen. Early shift to-day, you know” “All right, Slater” cried Alan, who was now wide awake “we’ll be down in twenty minutes” In a very short space of time they had had their breakfast, and were walking across the Grimland fields to the mine, to begin once more a day’s arduous duty. It passed quickly enough, but they were thankful when the bell sounded for them to knock off work, and they were taken up to daylight again by the cage. When they reached Sweet William Cottage, they found Mr. Winthrop awaiting them, with profuse apologies for his absence the night before.