““Laurence, not sure what to do, remained standing below the steps. "And who is this?" Mrs Hamlyn asked. Patrick looked back. "His name is . . . Laurence, mistress." Mrs Hamlyn scrutinized the boy before her. "Where does he come from?" she said, finding him scrawny and dirty. "He came to America on the same ship we did." Mrs Hamlyn pursed her lips. "He's very ragged. Is he from Ireland too?" "England." "But a friend of yours?" Laurence and Patrick looked at each other. "Is he?" Mrs Hamlyn asked again. Patrick said, "He saved my life, twice." "Did he? Then he must be a good friend indeed.””
