Katherine looked round in despair and shouted at the top of her voice for help.

Surely someone must be within hearing distance, although the place looked entirely devoid of life, except for some fishing boats a mile or two out from shore, and beating into harbour against the strong wind, which was blowing half a gale, perhaps more.
The shouts brought Mrs.Jenkin to the door of her house, with an ailing babe tucked under her arm and two small children clinging to her ragged skirt.
"Dear, dear, Miss Radford, what is the matter?
Why, you look just awful!" exclaimed the good woman, jogging the wailing babe up and down, to still its fretful complaining.
"I can't find anyone, Mrs.Jenkin, and I want help so badly.

Where are all the men?
Miss Selincourt has hurt her foot out on the rocks beyond the fish-flakes, and I am afraid she may be caught by the tide before she can be rescued," Katherine said anxiously.
"Dear, dear, what is to be done?
I don't believe there is a man about the place, unless it is Oily Dave.

Mr.Ferrars went away in his boat at dawn, and I don't know that he is back yet.

I'd go with you myself, dear, but I can't leave the babies," Mrs.Jenkin said, with so much concern and sympathy that Katherine gulped down something closely related to a sob before replying.
"Will you find Oily Dave and tell him to come on after me as fast as he can?
Tell him there is money in the job, then perhaps he will hurry.