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was allowed to carry a match into the mine. Nearly all the colliers chewed tobacco since they were not allowed to smoke. Tobacco kept their saliva flowing so their mouths wouldn’t become unbearably dry from coal dust. Willie took little sips every now and then from his water can. When he ate his apple, he saved the core.
    The next time Ned came through he asked if he could give it to Sparky.
    â€œSure,” said Ned. “Do you like horses?”
    â€œYes, I do,” said Willie.
    â€œMe, too,” said Ned. “I’ve got the best job in the mine.”
    â€œThat’s what I’d like to be — a driver,” said Willie, enthusiastically. For the moment he had forgotten how much he hated working underground.
    â€œGood for you,” said Ned as he drove on.
    Willie thought afterwards he could never have lived through that long, first day in the mine if it hadn’t been for Ned Hall. When at last the other trapper boy came to take over, he was so tired he could hardly speak. Later, when he stood amongst the men lining up to turn in their lamps, he caught sight of the round, pale-eyed face of Simon Ross standing by the exit. What was he waiting for?
    Willie was scared. “I bet he’s going to try to get me on the way home,” he thought.
    Then he recognized the burly back of the man just ahead of him in the line-up. Fear made him bold.
    â€œMr. Sutherland, may I walk home with you?” he asked eagerly.
    The man turned around and glanced down. “Sure thing, Willie,” he said, and continued his conversation with the other man.
    As they went out the door, Simon gave Willie a hard look. Willie pretended not to see him.
    It was dark outside. He remembered his father saying that sometimes he had worked for months and never seen the light of day. Willie breathed deeply. The frosty air was clean and sweet. Stars twinkled overhead. The world felt wide and free and wonderful.
    â€œThis is what a horse must feel like when it gets out of its barn and runs free in the pasture,” thought Willie. “No wonder it gallops up and down, and tosses its heels like crazy.”
    He was too tired to do that. And anyway, Simon was lurking somewhere near.
    Willie trudged along close behind Mr. Sutherland.

Chapter 6
    Nellie met him at the back door of the house on Sunny Row.
    â€œTake your pit clothes off here. I’ll shake the dust out of them. I’ve put a tub of hot water in the pantry, behind the curtain, like I do for Pa and John. Give yourself a good wash and I’ll come in and scrub your back.”
    Willie blinked in the light from the kitchen lamp. Everything looked strange and yet familiar, as if in a dream. There was a warm, spicy smell of gingerbread. He felt as if he had been away for a thousand years.
    His grandmother smiled at him from her rocking chair beside the black iron stove. The little girls stared at him, wide-eyed, from their places at the table, as John came hobbling out of the parlour on crutches.
    â€œHow did it go, Willie?” he asked.
    â€œFine,” said Willie.
    He was too tired to say anything more. The hot bath and clean clothes made him feel better. So did the news that his father had regained consciousness.
    â€œThe doctor told him you’ve gone to work. He knows,” said Nellie.
    Tears suddenly smarted Willie’s eyes. “Is he gonna get better?” he asked.
    â€œYes, the doctor thinks so. But it will be a long time before he can work.”
    â€œCan you stick it out until this leg gets better? Maybe six weeks or so?” John asked.
    â€œSure,” said Willie, but his heart felt like lead. He didn’t want to go back, even for one more day. He wondered what his classmates were doing at school. Did they miss him? Who was at the head of the spelling class now?
    Nellie gave him a plate of steaming baked beans, and then Sara burst out, “Guess what, Willie? A man came looking for you. He had a long,