After tea Mr. Hale got up, and stood with his elbow on the chimney-piece, leaning his head on his hand, musing over something, and from time to time sighing deeply. Mrs. Hale went out to consult with Dixon about some winter clothing for the poor. Margaret was preparing her mother's worsted work, and rather shrinking from the thought of the long evening, and wishing bed-time were come that she might go over the events of the day again.
"Margaret!" said Mr. Hale, at last, in a sort of sudden desperate way, that made her start. "Is that tapestry thing of immediate consequence? I mean, can you leave it and come into my study? I want to speak to you about something very serious to us all."

After tea Mr. Hale got up and stood by the chimney-piece, leaning his head on his hand, and from time to time sighing deeply. Mrs. Hale went out to consult with Dixon. Margaret was preparing her mother's wool-work, and rather shrinking from the thought of the long evening, and wishing bedtime were come.
'Margaret!' said Mr. Hale in a sudden desperate way, that made her start. 'Is that tapestry thing of immediate consequence? Can you leave it and come into my study? I want to speak to you about something very serious.'
