nearly noon before
By sunrise the doctor had come and gone again , having done what he could . He said the boy would live if he were kept quiet and had careful nursing , but that he was injured in such a way that he might be lame for the rest of his life . When Monk Tooley went down into the mine that day -- for he must now work harder and more steadily than ever to support this added burden -- he was a silent , heart-broken man . It was nearly noon before Derrick Sterling awoke after his first day of bitter experience in the mine . Though he was still sore and lame , hot water and sleep , two of nature 's most powerful remedies in cases of his kind , had worked such wonders for him that he felt quite ready to enter the mine again , and face whatever new trials it might have in store for him . After dinner the mine boss came to see him , and was amazed to find him looking so well and cheerful . `` You seem to come up smiling after every knock down , Derrick , '' he said .