OUR JOHN WILLIE

A different Catherine Cookson (it had better be--The Mallen Lot appearing only one month earlier) about John Willie, undersized and deaf and dumb and ""a hump"" on the back of his brother, Davy, in a small coal mining town where they're close to starving. Until they're taken into the house of Miss Peamarsh, a recluse (why?) who has her own burden to carry. Namely the almost justifiable murder of her brother who's been buried on the grounds for years until the dog Snuffy digs up the skeleton and puts an end to her guilt and persecution. . . . Nowt to say--short and sweet and clean as a soapsud--a sentimental hour for the old and young.