But first I asked, in a whisper, if Jem had any idea when "Mr.Halifax" would be back?
"He said, maybe not till morning.

Them's bad folk about.

He was going to stop all night, either at your house or at the tan-yard, for fear of a BLAZE." The word made my father start; for in these times well we knew what poor folk meant by "a blaze." "My house--my tan-yard--I must get up this instant--help me.

He ought to come back--that lad Halifax.

There's a score of my men at hand--Wilkes, and Johnson, and Jacob Baines--I say, Phineas--but thee know'st nothing." He tried to dress, and to drag on his heavy shoes; but fell back, sick with exhaustion and pain.