A boy's boots

At Ware Petty Sessions on Tuesday, Benjamin Cordwell, a labourer, of Star Street, Ware, was summoned for not sending his child regularly to school.  Mr J. W. Mason, school attendance officer, proved the case.  The defendant’s wife attended and produced a pair of boy’s boots which were worn out at the toes.  She admitted that she had kept the boy at home to mind the baby whilst she went out to work to earn money to buy him boots.  In answer to the Clerk she said she earned 2s. 6d. a day on six days in the week.  Supt Handley said the defendant earned on average £2 5s. to £2 10s. per week.  The Chairman said it was a disgrace to the woman and her husband when they earned high wages, to produce such boots.  The Bench adjourned the case for a fortnight so that the husband could attend.  The boy would have to go to school in the meantime.