And more by token he's a fitter,
and would put you in the way of the same trade, and give you engines to
your heart's content."
Dick's face was a study, as he held the puppy closely in his arms and
looked up eagerly at Paddy.
"Do you mean that the Fowleys are not relations, and that I'm not
beholden to stay there?"
"No relations in the world, me boy; and if I was you, I'd be off some
fine morning and give 'em the slip. Your poor father was only a lodger
there, after your mother died, and they took all he had and kept you,
so to say, out of charity. Of course you was too young to know any
different. I was well acquainted with your father and your uncle,
years agone, but _he_ had got work at Ironboro' long before your father
died."
"And which is the way to Ironboro', and what is a fitter?"
"Ironboro'? Oh that's a hundred and fifty miles off, way up in the
north, and you couldn't walk it yet, all alone. But some day---- And
a fitter is a man who has learned his trade making engines, and can
pull them to pieces, and put them together again as easy as I can fire
these stoke holes."
Dick gently put the puppy back into the basket and straightened
himself, like one taking a great resolve.
"Thank you, Paddy, ever so much for telling me, and if you'll only keep
Pat till I can go, I'll save him a bit of my dinner every day.
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