Mrs. Thornton was by no means a talkative companion to Fanny, nor yet a good listener while her son was absent. But on his return, her eyes and ears were keen to see and to listen to all the details which he could give, as to the steps he had taken to secure himself, and those whom he chose to employ, from any repetition of the day's outrages. He clearly saw his object. Punishment and suffering, were the natural consequences to those who had taken part in the riot. All that was necessary, in order that property should be protected, and that the will of the proprietor might cut to his end, clean and sharp as a sword.
"Mother! You know what I have got to say to Miss Hale, to-morrow?"
The question came upon her suddenly, during a pause in which she, at least, had forgotten Margaret.
She looked up at him.

Mrs. Thornton was by no means a talkative companion to Fanny that day, nor a good listener. But on her son's return, she was keen to hear him list the steps he had taken to secure himself from any repetition of the day's outrages. He clearly saw his object. Punishment and suffering were the natural consequences to the rioters. That was necessary, in order that property should be protected, and that the will of the proprietor might cut as clean and sharp as a sword.
'Mother! You know what I have got to say to Miss Hale, tomorrow?'
She looked up at him. 