"It's 'ard to say, Miss. How me family would feel. I think they should be 'appy, but I'm scared they'll think it beggin' or charity and say no." Ellie recalled a fierce argument in a neighbour's house in the Cragg about that very thing not too long ago. "Me father thinks fer his boat an' nowt much more. Mam? I suppose she'd care. More money for the family."

"I'd love ta work with ye, Miss." Ellie added. The new clothes, the higher wages, and the promise of easier work was certainly attractive to the young lass.