He kissed her and said he thought he did, and that she’d better provide a son this time to help him earn some money, for he didn’t think that Mr Charlesworth would give him an increase. Charlesworth didn’t, and he told Harry a few days later that he was going to breed sheep as he’d previously said. ‘My wife fancies seeing lambs frolicking in the fields,’ he smirked, and then glanced suspiciously at Harry, who asked mildly if they’d be breeding them for their fleece or the meat.

‘For the fleece, of course. She wouldn’t want to have them slaughtered.’

Harry sighed as he told Ellen about their conversation. ‘I’m going to have to look for another farm,’ he said. ‘At least, I’m going to ask around.’ He took a breath. ‘I won’t be hasty, but I can’t think that this job will last; it’s not the job for life that Ozzie predicted.’

Charlesworth bought the sheep himself at a local market and bought twice as many rams as ewes; Harry reckoned that he couldn’t tell the difference. Neither did he know anything about dipping, and had no ready pool or stream for them. The farm workers, used to harvesting grain and root crops and unused to sheep, went elsewhere, but loyal Harry, not wanting to leave the farm where he’d worked since leaving school, hung on.

Then, late the following summer, came the final blow. Charlesworth gave them notice to quit the tied cottage and told Harry he was taking on a Dales man who knew about sheep and would be bringing his family. He was going to make him foreman and told Harry he could stay on as a labourer if he wished.

‘I’m contracted until November Hirings,’ Harry said stubbornly. ‘Or you can pay me up to then and I’ll leave next week. Them’s the rules, Mr Charlesworth, as you’ll know, being a legal man.’

Charlesworth blustered and said he’d think about it and Harry hoped he hadn’t been too hasty. They’d have nowhere to live and they now had three children to consider. As he’d asked, Ellen had dutifully produced a boy, whom they’d named Thomas.

‘I can ask my ma if I can bring ’bairns and stay with them till you find another farm. Mebbe you can stay with your ma and da? They’ve both got more space since all our sisters have married.’

Harry wasn’t happy about that either, but realized they wouldn’t have any other option. But then Charlesworth changed his mind and agreed that they could stay until November. It seemed as if he had taken advice, and as he had no legitimate reason to sack Harry it wouldn’t look good in the farming community; word would get round and farmhands would be unwilling to work for him.