The children looked up at the man, shocked, and then from the man to their father and back. The old man himself frowned at Benny. "'S no need to take offence, son." He looked at the plate and then back at Benny. "'T world's a hard place. I'm only tryin to keep these bayns safe. They are fisherfolk an's all they are an' its no shameful thing. But they musn't think themselves grander and chase after castles in t' air."