"It"s cold," he said. "Come in to the fire, children."
Notes: possible errors in original text that I have left intact and some notes on things that might look wrong but I think they are actually correct.
1) reading about," said Wally. "Do you remember, Jim, how old poor old -> the first old should probably be omitted
2) know I ain"t one of your fine lady cooks with a nime out of the -> nime occurs elsewhere in the text as well and indicates an accent
3) and became extraordinarily skilful in the use of chisel and plane.
-> skilful with one "l" is valid British spelling
4) him to instal her before we get to Homewood on Thursday. Hawkins has -> instal with one "l" is valid British spelling