“Miss Emily Jones,” Emily blushed. “And you are?”
“Master Albert Dees,” said Albert. “At your service.”
“And your friends?” asked Emily’s sister.
“Master George Taylor,” George lifted his cap.
“James Williams esquire,” Jim mimicked George.
“Are you yobs?” the elder sister asked.
“You must forgive my sister,” said Emily. “She is very protective. This is Margaret, my friend, and this is Sarah, my sister.”
“You’re right, they are nothing but a bunch of yobs.”
Albert turned to see Edgar Dacue with two friends guffawing behind him.
“Push off Edgar,” said Albert.
“You don’t want to hang out with the likes of these,” Edgar continued, ignoring Albert. “They are only hewers and getters. My father is the colliery manager.”
“I’m an apprentice surveyor,” Albert corrected him.
“Push off Edg
