When they returned to Heston, there was the day's account to be given to Mrs. Hale, who was full of questions, which they answered in the intervals of tea-drinking.
"And what is your correspondent, Mr. Thornton, like?"
"Ask Margaret," said her husband. "She and he had a long attempt at conversation, while I was away speaking to the landlord."
"Oh! I hardly know what he is like," said Margaret, lazily; too tired to tax her powers of description much. And then rousing herself, she said, "He is a tall, broad-shouldered man, about--how old, papa?"
"I should guess about thirty."
"About thirty--with a face that is neither exactly plain, nor yet handsome, nothing remarkable--not quite a gentleman; but that was hardly to be expected."
"Not vulgar or common though," put in her father, rather jealous of any disparagement of the sole friend he had in Milton.

When they returned to Heston, Mrs. Hale was full of questions. 'And what is Mr. Thornton like?'
'Ask Margaret,' said her husband. 'She and he had a long attempt at conversation, while I was away speaking to the landlord.'
'Oh! I hardly know what he is like,' said Margaret lazily. 'He is a tall, broad-shouldered man, about - how old, papa?'
'I should guess about thirty.'
'About thirty - neither exactly plain, nor handsome, nothing remarkable - not quite a gentleman; but that was hardly to be expected.'
'Not vulgar or common though,' put in her father.
