hidden under a net-work of other motives, Once, when he had exerted himself to lighten her labor somewhat, she set aside his assistance openly.
"Theer's others as needs help more nor me," she said. "Help them, an' I'll thank yo'."
In course of time, however, he accidentally discovered that there had been occasions when, notwithstanding her apparent ungraciousness, she had exerted her influence in his behalf.
The older colliers resented his youth, the younger ones his authority. The fact that he was "noan Lancashire" worked against him too, though even if he had been a Lancashire man, he would not have been likely to find over-much favor. It was enough that he was "one o' th' mesters." To have been weak of will, or vacillating of purpose, would have been death to every vestige of the authority vested in him; but he was as strong mentally as physically—strong-willed to the verge of stubbornness. But if they could not frighten or subdue him, they could still oppose and irritate him, and the contention was obstinate. This feeling even influenced the girls and women at the "mouth." They, too, organized in petty rebellion, annoying if not powerful,
"I think yo' will find as yo' may as well leave th' engineer be," Joan would say dryly. "Yo' will na fear him much, an' yo'll tire yo'rsens wi' yo're clatter. I donna see the good o' barkin' so much when yo' canna bite."
"Aye," jeered one of the boldest, once, "leave th' engineer be. Joan sets a power o' store by th' engineer."
There was a shout of laughter, but it died out when Joan confronted the speaker with dangerous steadiness of gaze.
