“I’ll never give it up,” Stephen promises his dying father. Their hut in the hollow is all they have, but it belongs to them. The bright, sunny valley stands in stark contrast to the dark, grimy coal pits nearby.

But Botfield’s pit provides work for the colliers, including young Stephen. He must be a man now and do a man’s work—Martha and little Nan are depending on him. And he is depending on the old Bible to teach him the right thing to do.

Through much pain, suffering, and unfathomable loss, Stephen’s character is strengthened as he learns to forgive—as he has been forgiven.