Page 124 of The Armor of Light
‘That’s not right.’
‘Don’t I know it.’
‘There’s lots of things not right in this country.’
Amos said hastily: ‘But anyone who says so may be charged with treason.’
Sal pressed her lips together in a disapproving line.
Amos noticed that Kit was not with Sal. ‘Where’s your boy?’
‘Gone to help Jenny Jenkins.’
Amos looked around the room. One of the spinning engines was still and Kit was bending over it, his ginger head close to the machinery. Amos crossed the floor to find out what was going on.
Kit was fourteen years old but still very much a child, with a high voice and no trace of a beard. ‘What are you doing?’ Amos asked him.
Kit looked anxious, fearing he was about to be reprimanded. ‘Tightening a spindle, Mr Barrowfield, with my thumbnail, but it will get loose again. I hope I didn’t do nothing wrong.’
‘No, lad, don’t worry. But this isn’t really your job, is it?’
‘No, sir, but the women ask me.’
Jenny said: ‘It’s true, Mr Barrowfield. Kit is so clever with the machines that we all turn to him when something goes wrong and he usually fixes it in a minute.’
Amos turned to Kit. ‘How did you get to be good at this?’
‘I been working here since I was only six, so I suppose I know the engines, sir.’
Amos recalled that Kit had always been fascinated by machinery.
Kit added: ‘But I could do much better if I had a turnscrew instead of using my thumbnail.’
‘I’m sure you could.’ Amos was thoughtful. Normally the hands repaired the machines themselves, often taking a long time over a simple problem. A specialist to do the job would save time and increase production.
He studied this little engineer and considered making the job official. He liked to reward people who did more than was strictly necessary: it encouraged the others. He would give Kit a title and aweekly wage, he decided. He couldn’t really afford generosity, but a few shillings was not going to make much difference.
First he had better square it with Sal. He did not think she would object, but with her it was wise to be sure. He returned to her station. ‘Kit is really very smart,’ he said.
Sal glowed with pride. ‘Truth to tell, Mr Barrowfield, I’ve always believed he was destined for something grand.’
‘Well, this isn’t very grand, but I’m thinking about making him a tackler – a full-time maintenance man.’
She beamed. ‘That’s very kind of you, sir.’
‘I would only be acknowledging something that’s already happening.’
‘That’s true.’
‘I’ll pay him five shillings a week.’
Sal was startled. ‘That’s very good of you, Mr Barrowfield.’
‘I like to pay people what they deserve – when I can.’ He studied her expression and saw relief on her face. A few extra shillings would make a big difference to her weekly budget.
He said: ‘If I have to close the mill next week, he can come in and run his eye over all the machines while they’re idle. It’s always better to prevent than to repair. Is that all right?’
‘Yes, sir. I’ll tell him.’
