Question

What does the word 'coloured deeply' suggest?

Answer 1

The phrase 'coloured deeply' suggests the uneasiness of the speaker, Nicola. The narrator was surprised to see that boys worked hard day and night and yet barely managed to make both ends meet. He wanted to know what the boys did with the money they earned. When he questioned Nicola, he appeared uncomfortable as the boys might not have been used to anybody questioning them regarding their earnings, and the narrator’s question embarrassed them.