They were especially crule to one boy – sminke. he was taller and older than the older than the other boys at the school – perhaps eighteen or nineteen. His clothes were old and too small for him and he looked ill.
At the end of his first day, Nicholas found smike working in the kichen. He saw in the boy’s eyes that he was afraid.
‘don’t be afraid of me , said Nicholas kindly.
‘oh, my poor heart will break, living here, smike cried.
‘no it won’t . there’s always hope.
‘not for me. Replied smike. ‘I’ve got no family or friends. It doesn’t matter if I live or die. There’s only suffering for me in this life.