Bonds of Earth, The by E.V. Thompson

better for a man than spending his life burrowing underground like a mole, which isn’t what God intended for us. I’ve been mining for too long to change now, but it’s time something went the way she wants, I’ve not been able to do very much to make her life any easier these last few months. Having our Jenken working on a farm would be a dream come true for her.’
    â€˜Then send him down to me as soon as he feels able to start and I’ll take him on.’
    While he was speaking, Albert had been looking to where his wife was feeding milk to their sick child who was taking it greedily from a handle-less cup and Goran realized from his expression that the miner genuinely loved his wife.

    Mabel had already come to the same conclusion about Harriet Bolitho’s feelings towards Albert. Aware of the impression Mabel must have been given by the conditions in which her family were living on the inhospitable moor, Harriet had insisted her husband was not to blame for their situation, declaring vehemently, ‘He’s a good worker … a good miner. Captain Pyne knows it and it’s why he said he’ll take Albert on when Wheal Hope begins working and it’s why we came here in the first place. Albert’s just had bad luck this last year, that’s all. Three of the mines he worked for closed down, putting hundreds of miners out of work. Many of the other miners declared Cornish mining was too uncertain and went to foreign lands like Australia, America and such places. Albert would have liked to go, I know he would, but he wouldn’t leave me and the boys here to fend for ourselves never knowing where he was or what he was doing.
    â€˜Besides, we haven’t always lived like this,’ she had added, defensively. ‘When we were first married we had a little cottage that was as nice as anyone could wish for, but the mine was played out and we needed to go to where there was work for Albert. Things have just gone from bad to worse since then and this last year in particular has been a nightmare.’
    As though aware of the depressive nature of her narrative, Harriet made a conscious effort to shake off the mood, saying, ‘I’m sorry. You don’t want to listen to me carrying on about something that’s affecting others even worse than us. I’ve got a caring husband, a son to be proud of and a family who give me some very happy moments. Then there are people like you, Goran and the Pynes who couldn’t be kinder.’
    Despite her resolution, Harriet was close to tears when she added, ‘It’s more than a lot of women ever know.’
    Mabel had already decided she liked Harriet Bolitho. She had fewer material possessions than anyone Mabel had ever met with and was so weary from caring for five boys and an invalid husband it was a wonder she was able to remain on her feet, but she was not a broken woman. She had a quiet strength within her that refused to admit defeat and there appeared to be no resentment towards those who possessed things she lacked.
    On her way to the moor with Goran, Mabel had entertained a number of doubts about his ideas for the Bolitho family, but now, having met Harriet, she was in full agreement with him and before leaving she obtained a firm commitment from Harriet to come and visit her at Elworthy Farm in the next day or two, pointing out that Albert had now recovered sufficiently to be left alone for a couple of hours. Mabel would put Goran’s proposal to her then.

    â€˜Have you thought any more about having the Bolithos move into our cottage once we’re in the farmhouse?’ Goran put the question to his mother as they were walking home from Wheal Hope after saying goodbye to Annie Pyne and Jennifer.
    â€˜Yes.’
    When nothing more was forthcoming, Goran prompted, ‘And?’
    â€˜I think Harriet Bolitho is a remarkable woman. Not only is she raising five boys in almost impossible