I am sure you are tired, if you've been out much this wet relaxing day.

I am sure you are tired, if you've been out all day.


Margaret, my dear, can't you hasten tea?"

Margaret, my dear, can't you hasten tea?'


Margaret could only hasten tea by taking the preparation of it into her own hands, and so offending Dixon, who was emerging out of her sorrow for her late mistress into a very touchy, irritable state.


But Martha, like all who came in contact with Margaret--even Dixon herself, in the long run--felt it a pleasure and an honour to forward any of her wishes; and her readiness, and Margaret's sweet forbearance, soon made Dixon ashamed of herself.


"Why master and you must always be asking the lower classes up-stairs, since we came to Milton, I cannot understand.

'Why master and you must always be asking the lower classes upstairs, since we came to Milton, I cannot understand.


Folk at Helstone were never brought higher than the kitchen; and I've let one or two of them know before now that they might think it an honour to be even there."

Folk at Helstone were never brought higher than the kitchen.'


Higgins found it easier to unburden himself to one than to two.


After Margaret left the room, he went to the door and assured himself that it was shut. Then he came and stood close to Mr. Hale.
"Master," said he, "yo'd not guess easy what I've been tramping after to-day.

After Margaret left the room, he said:
'Master, yo'd not guess easy what I've been tramping after today.


Special if yo'd remember my manner o' talk yesterday.


"I said to mysel', I'd keep a civil tongue in my head, let who would say what 'em would.


I'd set my teeth into my tongue sooner nor speak i' haste.


For that man's sake--yo' understand," jerking his thumb back in some unknown direction.

For that man's sake - yo' understand,' jerking his thumb back in some unknown direction.


"No, I don't," said Mr. Hale, seeing he waited for some kind of assent, and completely bewildered as to who "that man" could be.

'No, I don't,' said Mr. Hale, bewildered as to who 'that man' could be.


"That chap as lies theer," said he, with another jerk.


"Him as went and drownded himself, poor chap!

'Him as went and drownded himself, poor chap!


I did na think he'd got it in him to lie still and let the water creep o'er him till he died.


"Go back to what you were saying: you'd not speak in haste----"
"For his sake.

'Go on.'
'I'll not speak in haste for his sake.


Yet not for his sake; for where'er he is, and whate'er, he'll ne'er know other clemming or cold again; but for the wife's sake, and the bits o' childer."

Yet not for his sake; but for the wife's sake, and the childer.'


said Mr. Hale, starting up; then, calming down, he said, breathlessly, "What do you mean?


"I have telled yo'," said Higgins, a little surprised at Mr. Hale's agitation.

'I have telled yo',' said Higgins, a little surprised.


"I would na ask for work for mysel'; but them's left as a charge on me.

'I would na ask for work for mysel'; but them's left as a charge on me.


I reckon, I would ha guided Boucher to a better end; but I set him off o' th' road, and so I mun answer for him."

I reckon I set Boucher off o' th' road, and so I mun answer for him.'


Mr. Hale got hold of Higgins's hand and shook it heartily, without speaking.

Mr. Hale took Higgins's hand and shook it heartily, without speaking.


Theer's ne'er a man, to call a man, amongst us, but what would do th' same; ay, and better too; for, belie' me, Is'e ne'er got a stroke o' work, nor yet a sight of any.

Theer's ne'er a man amongst us, but what would do th' same. Ay, and better too; for I'se ne'er got a stroke o' work.


For all I telled Hamper that, let alone his pledge--which I would not sign--no, I could na, not e'en for this--he'd ne'er ha' such a worker on his mill as I would be--he'd ha' none o' me--no more would none o' th' others.

For all I telled them that they'd ne'er ha' such a worker as I would be - they'd ha' none o' me.


I'm a poor black feckless sheep--childer may clem for ought I can do, unless, parson, yo'd help me?"

I'm a poor black feckless sheep - childer may clem for aught I can do, unless, parson, yo'd help me?'


I would do anything,--but what can I do?"

I would do anything - but what can I do?'


"Miss there"--for Margaret had re-entered the room, and stood silent, listening--"has often talked grand o' the South, and the ways down there.

'Miss there' - for Margaret had re-entered the room, and stood listening - 'has often talked grand o' the South.


Now I dunnot know how far off it is, but I been thinking if I could get 'em down theer, where food is cheap and wages good, and all the folk, rich and poor, master and man, friendly like; yo' could, may be, help me to work.

Now I dunnot know how far off it is, but I've been thinking if I could get down theer, where food is cheap and wages good, and all the folk friendly like; yo' could, maybe, help me to find work.


I'm not forty-five, and I've a deal o' strength in me, measter."

I'm not forty-five, and I've a deal o' strength in me, measter.'


"But what kind of work could you do, my man?"


"Well, I reckon I could spade a bit----"


"And for that," said Margaret, stepping forwards, "for anything you could do, Higgins, with the best will in the world, you would, may be, get nine shillings a week; may be ten, at the outside.

'And for that,' said Margaret, stepping forwards, 'with the best will in the world, you would, maybe, get nine shillings a week; ten at the outside.


Food is much the same as here, except that you might have a little garden----"


"The childer could work at that," said he.


"I'm sick o' Milton anyways, and Milton is sick o' me."

'I'm sick o' Milton anyways, and Milton is sick o' me.'


"You must not go the South," said Margaret, "for all that.

'You must not go to the South,' said she, 'for all that.


You would have to be out in all weathers.


The mere bodily work at your time of life would break you down.

The bodily work at your time of life would break you down.


The fare is far different to what you have been accustomed to."

The fare is far different to what you have been accustomed to.'


"I'se nought particular about my meat," said he, as if offended.

'I'se nought particular about my meat,' said he, as if offended.


"But you've reckoned on having butcher's meat once a day, if you're in work; pay for that out of your ten shillings, and keep those poor children if you can.

'But you've reckoned on having butcher's meat once a day, if you're in work.


I owe it to you--since it's my way of talking that has set you off on this idea--to put it all clear before you.

I owe it to you to put it all clear before you.


You would not bear the dulness of the life; you don't know what it is; it would eat you away like rust.

You would not bear the dullness of the life; you don't know what it is; it would eat you away like rust.


Those that have lived there all their lives, are used to soaking in the stagnant waters. They labour on from day to day, in the great solitude of steaming fields--never speaking or lifting up their poor, bent, downcast heads.

Those that have lived there all their lives, are used to labouring on, from day to day, in the great solitude of steaming fields - never speaking or lifting up their poor, bent heads.


The hard spadework robs their brain of life; the sameness of their toil deadens their imagination; they don't care to meet to talk over thoughts and speculations, even of the weakest, wildest kind, after their work is done; they go home brutishly tired, poor creatures!

The toil robs their brain of life; it deadens their imagination; they don't care to meet to talk after their work is done; they go home brutishly tired, poor creatures!


You could not stir them up into any companionship, which you get in a town as plentiful as the air you breathe, whether it be good or bad--and that I don't know; but I do know, that you of all men are not one to bear a life among such labourers.

You could not stir them up into any companionship. You of all men could not bear a life among such labourers.


What would be peace to them, would be eternal fretting to you.


Besides, you could never pay to get mother and children all there--that's one good thing."

Besides, you could never pay to get mother and children all there.'


One house mun do for us a', and the furniture o' t'other would go a good way.


And men theer mun have their families to keep--mappen six or seven childer. God help 'em!"

And men theer must have their families to keep - God help 'em!'


said he, more convinced by his own presentation of the facts than by all Margaret had said, and suddenly renouncing the idea, which had but recently formed itself in a brain worn out by the day's fatigue and anxiety.


North an' South have each getten their own troubles.


If work's sure and steady theer, labour's paid at starvation wages; while here we'n rucks o' money coming in one quarter, and ne'er a farthing th' next.

If work's sure and steady theer, labour's paid at starvation prices; while here we'n rucks o' money coming in one quarter, and ne'er a farthing th' next.


For sure, th' world is in a confusion that passes me or any other man to understand; it needs fettling, and who's to fettle it if it's as yon folks say, and there's nought but what we see?"

For sure, th' world is in a confusion that passes understanding; it needs fettling, and who's to fettle it?'


Mr. Hale was busy cutting bread and butter; Margaret was glad of this, for she saw that Higgins was better left to himself: that if her father began to speak ever so mildly on the subject of Higgins's thoughts, the latter would consider himself challenged to an argument, and would feel himself bound to maintain his own ground.

Mr. Hale was busy cutting bread and butter, and did not argue with this.


She and her father kept up an indifferent conversation until Higgins, scarcely aware whether he ate or not, had made a very substantial meal.

He and Margaret kept up an indifferent conversation until Higgins had made a very substantial meal.


Then he pushed his chair away from the table, and tried to take an interest in what they were saying; but it was of no use; and he fell back into dreamy gloom.

Then he pushed his chair away from the table, and fell back into dreamy gloom.


Suddenly, Margaret said (she had been thinking of it for some time, but the words had stuck in her throat), "Higgins have you been to Marlborough Mills to seek for work?"

Suddenly, Margaret said, 'Higgins, have you been to Marlborough Mills to seek for work?'


"Such a chap as me is not like to see the measter.


Th' o'erlooker bid me go and be d----d."

Th' o'erlooker bid me go and be d___ d.'


"I wish you had seen Mr. Thornton," said Mr. Hale.

'I wish you had seen Mr. Thornton,' said Mr. Hale.


"He might not have given you work, but he would not have used such language."

'He might not have given you work, but he would not have used such language.'


"As to th' language, I'm welly used to it; it dunnot matter to me.

'I'm used to it; it dunnot matter to me.


It were th' fact that I were na wanted theer, no more nor ony other place, as I minded."

It were th' fact that I were na wanted theer that I minded.'


"But I wish you had seen Mr. Thornton," repeated Margaret. "Would you go again--it's a good deal to ask, I know--but would you go to-morrow and try him?

'Would you go again tomorrow,' said Margaret, 'and try to see Mr. Thornton?


"I'm afraid it would be of no use," said Mr. Hale, in a low voice.

'I'm afraid it would be of no use,' said Mr. Hale, in a low voice.


"It would be better to let me speak to him."


Margaret still looked at Higgins for his answer. Those grave soft eyes of hers were difficult to resist. He gave a great sigh.


"It would tax my pride above a bit; if it were for mysel', I could stand a deal o' clemming first; I'd sooner knock him down than ask a favour from him. I'd a deal sooner be flogged mysel'; but yo're not a common wench, axing yo'r pardon, nor yet have yo' common ways about yo'.

'It would tax my pride above a bit; if it were for mysel', I'd sooner be flogged.


I'll e'en make a wry face, and go at it to-morrow.

But I'll make a wry face, and go at it tomorrow.


That man has it in him to be burnt at the stake afore he'll give in.


I'll do it for yo'r sake, Miss Hale, and it's first time in my life as e'er I give way to a woman.

I do it for your sake, Miss Hale, and it's first time in my life as e'er I give way to a woman.


Neither my wife nor Bess could e'er say that much again me."

Neither my wife nor Bess could e'er say that much against me.'


"All the more do I thank you," said Margaret, smiling.


"Though I don't believe you: I believe you have just given way to wife and daughter as much as most men."

'Though I don't believe you: I expect you have given way to wife and daughter as much as most men.'


"And as to Mr. Thornton," said Mr. Hale, "I'll give you a note to him, which, I think I may venture say, will ensure you a hearing."

'As to Mr. Thornton,' said Mr. Hale, 'I'll give you a note to him, which should ensure you a hearing.'


"I thank yo' kindly, sir, but I'd as lief stand on my own bottom.

'I thank yo' kindly, sir, but I'd as lief stand on my own.


I dunnot stomach the notion of having favour curried for me, by one as doesn't know the ins and outs of the quarrel.


Meddling 'twixt master and man is liker meddling 'twixt husband and wife than aught else: it takes a deal of wisdom to do ony good.


I'll stand guard at the lodge door. I'll stand there fro' six in the morning till I get speech on him.

I'll stand guard at the lodge door fro' six in the morning till I get speech on him.


But I'd liefer sweep th' streets, if paupers had na' got hold on that work. Dunna yo' hope, miss.


There'll be more chance o' getting milk out of a flint.


I wish yo' a very good night, and many thanks to yo'."

I wish yo' a very good night, and many thanks to yo'.'


"You'll find your shoes by the kitchen fire; I took them there to dry," said Margaret.

'You'll find your shoes by the kitchen fire; I put them there to dry,' said Margaret.


He turned round and looked at her steadily, and then he brushed his lean hand across his eyes and went his way.


said her father, who was a little annoyed at the manner in which Higgins had declined his intercession with Mr. Thornton.


"He is," said Margaret; "but what grand makings of a man there are in him, pride and all."

'What grand makings of a man there are in him,' replied Margaret, 'pride and all.


"It's amusing to see how he evidently respects the part in Mr. Thornton's character which is like his own."


"There's granite in all these northern people, papa, is there not?"

There's granite in all these northern people, papa, is there not?'


"There was none in poor Boucher, I am afraid; none in his wife either."

'There was none in poor Boucher, I am afraid; none in his wife either.'


"I should guess by their tones that they had Irish blood in them.


I wonder what success he'll have to-morrow.

'I wonder what success he'll have tomorrow.


If he and Mr. Thornton would speak out together as man to man--if Higgins would forget that Mr. Thornton was a master, and speak to him as he does to us--and if Mr. Thornton would be patient enough to listen to him with his human heart, not with his master's ears--"

If Higgins would forget that Mr. Thornton was a master, and speak to him as he does to us - and if Mr. Thornton would be patient enough to listen to him with his human heart, not with his master's ears-'


"You are getting to do Mr. Thornton justice at last, Margaret," said her father, pinching her ear.

'You are getting to do Mr. Thornton justice at last, Margaret,' said her father.


Margaret had a strange choking at her heart, which made her unable to answer, "Oh!"

Margaret had a strange choking at her heart, which made her unable to answer.


thought she, "I wish I were a man, that I could go and force him to express his disapprobation, and tell him honestly that I knew I deserved it.

But she thought, 'I wish I were a man, and could go and force him to express his disapproval, and tell him honestly that I knew I deserved it.


It seems hard to lose him as a friend just when I had begun to feel his value.

It is hard to lose him as a friend just when I had begun to feel his value.


If it were only for her sake, I wish he would come, and then at least I should know how much I was abased in his eyes."

I wish he would come, and then at least I should know how much I was abased in his eyes.'


"When some beloved voice that was to you Both sound and sweetness, faileth suddenly, And silence, against which you dare not cry, Aches round you like a strong disease and new,-- What hope?


what music will undo That silence to your sense?"


Margaret fell into a state of prostration, which did not show itself in sobs and tears, or even find the relief of words.


She lay on the sofa with her eyes shut, never speaking but when spoken to, and then replying in whispers.


He dared not leave her; he dared not ask her to accompany him back to Oxford, which had been one of the plans he had formed on the journey to Milton, her physical exhaustion was evidently too complete for her to undertake any such fatigue--putting the sight that she would have to encounter out of the question.

He dared not leave her; he dared not ask her to accompany him back to Oxford, which had been one of the plans he had formed on the journey to Milton.


Mr. Bell sate over the fire, considering what he had better do.

He sat by the fire, considering what he had better do.


Margaret lay motionless, and almost breathless by him.

Margaret lay motionless, and almost breathless.


He would not leave her, even for the dinner which Dixon had prepared for him downstairs, and, with sobbing hospitality, would fain have tempted him to eat.

He would not leave her, even for the dinner which Dixon had prepared for him downstairs, and, sobbing, would fain have tempted him to eat.


He had a plateful of something brought up to him. In general, he was particular and dainty enough, and knew well each shade of flavour in his food, but now the devilled chicken tasted like sawdust.

He had a plateful of something brought up, but it tasted like sawdust.


He minced up some of the fowl for Margaret, and peppered and salted it well; but when Dixon, following his directions, tried to feed her, the languid shake of head, proved that in such a state as Margaret was in, food would only choke, not nourish her.

When Dixon tried to feed Margaret, the languid shake of her head indicated that food would only choke her.


Mr. Bell gave a great sigh; lifted up his stout old limbs (stiff with travelling) from their easy position, and followed Dixon out of the room.

Mr. Bell gave a great sigh, and followed Dixon out of the room.


I must write to them at Oxford, to see that the preparations are made: they can be getting on with these till I arrive.

I must write to Oxford, to see that preparations are made for the funeral.


The girl must have some woman-friend about her, if only to talk her into a good fit of crying."

The girl must have some woman-friend about her.'


Dixon was crying--enough for two; but, after wiping her eyes and steadying her voice, she managed to tell Mr. Bell, that Mrs. Lennox was too near her confinement to be able to undertake any journey at present.

Dixon was crying; but after wiping her eyes, she managed to tell Mr. Bell that Mrs. Lennox was too near her confinement with her second child to undertake any journey at present.


I suppose we must have Mrs. Shaw; she's come back to England, isn't she?"

Mrs. Shaw; she's back in England, isn't she?'


"Yes, sir, she's come back; but I don't think she will like to leave Mrs. Lennox at such an interesting time," said Dixon, who did not much approve of a stranger entering the household, to share with her in her ruling care of Margaret.

'Yes, sir; but I don't think she will like to leave Mrs. Lennox at such an interesting time,' said Dixon.


"Interesting time be----." Mr. Bell restricted himself by coughing over the end of his sentence.

'Interesting time be-' Mr. Bell restricted himself to coughing.


"She could be content to be at Venice or Naples, or some of those Popish places, at the last 'interesting time,' which took place in Corfu, I think.


And what does that little prosperous woman's 'interesting time' signify, in comparison with that poor creature there,--that helpless, homeless, friendless, Margaret--lying as still on that sofa as if it were an altar-tomb, and she the stone statue on it.

'What does that prosperous woman's "interesting time" signify, in comparison with that poor creature there - homeless and friendless - lying as still on that sofa as if it were an altar-tomb?


See that a room, or whatever she wants, is got ready for her by to-morrow night.


Accordingly Mr. Bell wrote a letter, which Mrs. Shaw declared, with many tears, to be so like one of the dear general's when he was going to have a fit of the gout, that she should always value and preserve it. If he had given her the option, by requesting or urging her, as if a refusal were possible, she might not have come--true and sincere as was her sympathy with Margaret.

Accordingly Mr. Bell wrote a letter, which did not give Mrs. Shaw the option of refusing. If he had, she might not have come - true and sincere as was her sympathy with Margaret.


It needed the sharp uncourteous command to make her conquer her vis inerti and allow herself to be packed by her maid, after the latter had completed the boxes.

It needed the sharp, uncourteous command to make her conquer her inertia.


Edith, all cap, shawl, and tears, came out to the top of the stairs, as Captain Lennox was taking her mother down to the carriage:

She allowed her things to be packed by her maid; and Edith, in cap, shawls, and tears, called to her mother, as Captain Lennox was taking her down to the carriage:


"Don't forget, mamma; Margaret must come and live with us.

'Don't forget, mamma; Margaret must come and live with us.


Sholto will go to Oxford on Wednesday, and you must send word by Mr. Bell to him when we're to expect you. And if you want Sholto, he can go on from Oxford to Milton.

You must send word by Mr. Bell to Cosmo when we're to expect you: Cosmo will be in Oxford, and can go on to Milton.


Don't forget, mamma; you are to bring back Margaret."

Don't forget, mamma; you are to bring back Margaret.'


Edith re-entered the drawing-room. Mr. Henry Lennox was there, cutting open the pages of a new Review.

Edith re-entered the drawing-room, where Mr. Henry Lennox was.


Without lifting his head, he said, "If you don't like Sholto to be so long absent from you, Edith, I hope you will let me go down to Milton, and give what assistance I can."

Without lifting his head, he said, 'If you don't like Cosmo to be so long absent from you, Edith, I hope you will let me go down to Milton, and give what assistance I can.'


"Oh, thank you," said Edith, "I dare say old Mr. Bell will do everything he can, and more help may not be needed.


Only one does not look for much savoir-faire from a resident Fellow.


Dear, darling Margaret; won't it be nice to have her here, again?

'Dear Margaret! won't it be nice to have her here again?


asked he indifferently, with an appearance of being interested in a passage in the Review.


But doesn't it fall out well, that if my uncle was to die, it should be just now, when we are come home, and settled in the old house, and quite ready to receive Margaret?

But doesn't it fall out well, that my uncle should die just after we are come home, and ready to receive Margaret?


what a change it will be to her from Milton!


I'll have new chintz for her bed-room, and make it look new and bright, and cheer her up a little."

I'll have new chintz for her bedroom, and make it look bright, and cheer her up a little.'


In the same spirit of kindness, Mrs. Shaw journeyed to Milton, occasionally dreading the first meeting, and wondering how it would be got over; but more frequently planning how soon she could get Margaret away from "that horrid place," and back in the pleasant comforts of Harley Street.

In the same spirit of kindness, Mrs. Shaw journeyed to Milton planning how soon she could get Margaret away from 'that horrid place,' and back into the pleasant comforts of Harley Street.


she said to her maid; "look at those chimneys!

she said to her maid; 'look at those chimneys!


I don't think I could have rested at Naples, if I had known what it was!


I must have come and fetched her and Margaret away."


And to herself she acknowledged, that she had always thought her brother-in-law rather a weak man, but never so weak as now, when she saw for what a place he had exchanged the lovely Helstone home.

She had always thought her brother-in-law rather a weak man, but never so weak as now, when she saw for what a place he had exchanged the lovely Helstone home.


Margaret had remained in the same state; white, motionless, speechless, tearless.


They had told her that her aunt Shaw was coming; but she had not expressed either surprise or pleasure, or dislike to the idea.

They had told her that her aunt Shaw was coming; but she had not answered.


Mr. Bell, whose appetite had returned, and who appreciated Dixon's endeavours to gratify it, in vain urged upon her to taste some sweetbreads stewed with oysters; she shook her head with the same quiet obstinacy as on the previous day; and he was obliged to console himself for her rejection, by eating them all himself.

Despite Mr. Bell's urgings, she still refused to eat; she shook her head with the same quiet obstinacy as on the previous day.


But Margaret was the first to hear the stopping of the cab that brought her aunt from the railway station.

She was the first to hear her aunt's cab stopping.


Her eyelids quivered, her lips coloured and trembled.

Her eyelids quivered, her lips trembled.


Mr. Bell went down to meet Mrs. Shaw; and when they came up, Margaret was standing, trying to steady her dizzy self; and when she saw her aunt, she went forward to the arms open to receive her, and first found the passionate relief of tears on her aunt's shoulder.

Mr. Bell went down to meet Mrs. Shaw, and when they came up, Margaret was standing dizzily: she went forward to her aunt's open arms, and found the passionate relief of tears.


All thoughts of quiet habitual love, of tenderness for years, of relationship to the dead, all that inexplicable likeness in look, tone, and gesture, that seem to belong to one family, and which reminded Margaret so forcibly at this moment of her mother, came in to melt and soften her numbed heart into the overflow of warm tears.

All that inexplicable likeness to her mother melted her numbed heart.


Mr. Bell stole out of the room, and went down into the study, where he ordered a fire, and tried to divert his thoughts by taking down and examining the different books.

Mr. Bell stole out of the room, and went into the study, where he tried to divert his thoughts by taking down books.


Each volume brought a remembrance or a suggestion of his dead friend.

Each volume brought a remembrance of his dead friend.


It might be a change of employment from his two days' work of watching Margaret, but it was no change of thought.


He was glad to catch the sound of Mr. Thornton's voice, making enquiry at the door.


Dixon was rather cavalierly dismissing him; for with the appearance of Mrs. Shaw's maid, came visions of former grandeur, of the Beresford blood, of the "station" (so she was pleased to term it) from which her young lady had been ousted, and to which she was now, please God, to be restored.

Dixon was rather cavalierly dismissing him; for the appearance of Mrs. Shaw and her Beresford blood made Dixon inclined to be supercilious in her treatment of Milton inhabitants.


These visions, which she had been dwelling on with complacency in her conversation with Mrs. Shaw's maid (skilfully eliciting meanwhile all the circumstances of state and consequence connected with the Harley Street establishment, for the edification of the listening Martha), made Dixon rather inclined to be supercilious in her treatment of any inhabitant of Milton; so, though she always stood rather in awe of Mr. Thornton, she was as curt as she durst be in telling him that he could see none of the inmates of the house that night.

So, though she stood rather in awe of Mr. Thornton, she was as curt as she dared be in telling him that he could see nobody that night.


It was rather uncomfortable to be contradicted in her statement by Mr. Bell's opening the study-door, and calling out:

Mr. Bell opened the study-door, and called out:


Come in for a minute or two; I want to speak to you."


So Mr. Thornton went into the study, and Dixon had to retreat into the kitchen, and reinstate herself in her own esteem by a prodigious story of Sir John Beresford's coach and six, when he was high sheriff.

So Mr. Thornton went into the study, and Dixon had to retreat.


"I don't know what I wanted to say to you after all.

'I don't know what I wanted to say to you after all.


Only it's dull enough to sit in a room where everything speaks to you of a dead friend.

Only it's dull to sit in a room where everything reminds you of a dead friend.


Yet Margaret and her aunt must have the drawing-room to themselves!"

Yet Margaret and her aunt must have the drawing-room to themselves!'


One would have thought she might have come by herself at such a time!


And now I shall have to turn out and find my way to the Clarendon."

I shall have to turn out and find my way to the Clarendon Hotel.'


We have five or six empty bed-rooms at home."

We have five or six empty bedrooms at home.'


"I think you may trust my mother for that."


"Then I'll only run upstairs and wish that wan girl good-night, and make my bow to her aunt, and go off with you straight."

'Then I'll just run upstairs and wish that wan girl good-night, and make my bow to her aunt, and go off with you.'


Mr. Thornton began to think it long, for he was full of business, and had hardly been able to spare the time for running up to Crampton, and enquiring how Miss Hale was.

Mr. Thornton began to think it long, for he was busy, and had hardly been able to spare the time for running up to Crampton to enquire after Miss Hale.


When they had set out upon their walk, Mr. Bell said:


"I was kept by those women in the drawing-room.


Mrs. Shaw is anxious to get home--on account of her daughter, she says--and wants Margaret to go off with her at once.

'Mrs. Shaw is anxious to get home, and wants Margaret to go off with her at once.


Now she is no more fit for travelling than I am for flying.


Besides, she says, and very justly, that she has friends she must see--that she must wish good-bye to several people; and then her aunt worried her about old claims, and was she forgetful of old friends?

Besides, she says, and very justly, that she has friends she must see - that she must wish good-bye to several people.


And she said, with a great burst of crying, she should be glad enough to go from a place where she had suffered so much.

And she said, with a great burst of crying, she should be glad enough to leave a place where she had suffered so much.


Now I must return to Oxford to-morrow, and I don't know on which side of the scale to throw in my voice."

Now I must return to Oxford tomorrow, and I don't know which side to support.'


He paused, as if asking a question; but he received no answer from his companion, the echo of whose thoughts kept repeating--
"Where she had suffered so much."

He received no answer from his companion, who was inwardly repeating: 'Where she had suffered so much.'


and that was the way in which this eighteen months in Milton--to him so unspeakably precious, down to its very bitterness, which was worth all the rest of life's sweetness--would be remembered.

and that was the way in which this eighteen months in Milton - to him so unspeakably precious, even down to its very bitterness - would be remembered by her.


Neither loss of father, nor loss of mother, dear as she was to Mr. Thornton, could have poisoned the remembrance of the weeks, the days, the hours, when a walk of two miles, every step of which was pleasant, as it brought him nearer and nearer to her, took him to her sweet presence--every step of which was rich, as each recurring moment that bore him away from her made him recall some fresh grace in her demeanour, or pleasant pungency in her character.

Nothing could have poisoned his remembrance of the weeks when a walk of two miles took him to her sweet presence - every moment of which showed him some fresh grace in her demeanour, or pleasant pungency in her character.


whatever had happened to him, external to his relation to her, he could never have spoken of that time, when he could have seen her every day--when he had her within his grasp, as it were--as a time of suffering.

whatever had happened to him, he could never have spoken of that period as a time of suffering.


It had been a royal time of luxury to him, with all its stings and contumelies, compared to the poverty that crept round and clipped the anticipation of the future down to sordid fact, and life without an atmosphere of either hope or fear.

It had been a royal time of luxury to him, with all its stings, compared to the poverty that crept round the anticipation of the future.


Mrs. Thornton and Fanny were in the dining-room; the latter in a flutter of small exultation, as the maid held up one glossy material after another, to try the effect of the wedding-dresses by candle-light.

Mrs. Thornton and Fanny were in the dining-room; the latter in a flutter of exultation, as the maid held up one glossy material after another, to try out the effect of the wedding-dresses by candlelight.


Her mother really tried to sympathise with her, but could not.


Neither taste nor dress were in her line of subjects, and she heartily wished that Fanny had accepted her brother's offer of having the wedding clothes provided by some first-rate London dressmaker, without the endless troublesome discussions, and unsettled waverings, that arose out of Fanny's desire to choose and superintend everything herself.

She heartily wished that Fanny had accepted her brother's offer of having the wedding clothes made by some London dressmaker, without these endless troublesome discussions.


Mr. Thornton was only too glad to mark his grateful approbation of any sensible man, who could be captivated by Fanny's second-rate airs and graces, by giving her ample means for providing herself with the finery, which certainly rivalled, if it did not exceed, the lover in her estimation.

Mr. Thornton was only too glad to mark his approval of any sensible man who could be captivated by Fanny's second-rate airs and graces, by giving her ample means for providing herself with finery.


When her brother and Mr. Bell came in, Fanny blushed and simpered, and fluttered over the signs of her employment, in a way which could not have failed to draw attention from any one else but Mr. Bell.

When her brother and Mr. Bell came in, Fanny blushed and simpered in a way which could not have failed to draw attention from anyone else but Mr. Bell.


If he thought about her and her silks and satins at all, it was to compare her and them with the pale sorrow he had left behind him, sitting motionless, with bent head and folded hands, in a room where the stillness was so great that you might almost fancy the rush in your straining ears was occasioned by the spirits of the dead, yet hovering round their beloved.

If he thought about her at all, it was to compare her with the pale sorrow he had left behind him, sitting motionless in a room so still that you might almost fancy the rush in your straining ears was caused by the spirits of the dead.


For when Mr. Bell had first gone upstairs, Mrs. Shaw lay asleep on the sofa; and no sound broke the silence.


Mrs. Thornton gave Mr. Bell her formal, hospitable welcome.

Mrs. Thornton gave Mr. Bell her formal welcome.


She was never so gracious as when receiving her son's friends in her son's house; and the more unexpected they were, the more honour to her admirable housekeeping preparations for comfort.


"About as broken down by this last stroke as she can be."

'About as broken down by this last stroke as she can be.'


"I am sure it is very well for her that she has such a friend as you."

'I am sure it is very well for her that she has such a friend as you.'


I daresay it sounds very brutal; but here have I been displaced, and turned out of my post of comforter and adviser by a fine lady aunt; and there are cousins and what not claiming her in London, as if she were a lap-dog belonging to them.

I daresay it sounds very brutal; but I have been displaced by a fine lady aunt; and there are cousins and what not claiming her in London, as if she were a lap-dog belonging to them.


And she is too weak and miserable to have a will of her own."

And she is too weak and miserable to have a will of her own.'


"She must indeed be weak," said Mrs. Thornton, with an implied meaning which her son understood well.

'She must indeed be weak,' said Mrs. Thornton, with an implied meaning which her son understood well.


"But where," continued Mrs. Thornton, "have these relations been all this time that Miss Hale has appeared almost friendless, and has certainly had a good deal of anxiety to bear?"

'But where have these relations been all this time that Miss Hale has appeared almost friendless?'


But she did not feel interest enough in the answer to her question to wait for it.

However, she did not feel interest enough in the answer to wait for it.


She left the room to make her household arrangements.


The aunt brought her up, and she and the cousin have been like sisters.


The thing vexing me, you see, is that I wanted to take her for a child of my own; and I am jealous of these people, who don't seem to value the privilege of their right.

The thing vexing me, you see, is that I wanted to take her for a child of my own; and I am jealous of these people.


Now it would be different if Frederick claimed her."

Now it would be different if Frederick claimed her.'


He stopped short in his vehement question.


"Surely I told you about him, when the family first came to Milton--the son who was concerned in that mutiny."

'Surely I told you about him, when the family first came to Milton - the son who was concerned in that mutiny.'


He's liable to be arrested the moment he sets foot on English ground.

He's liable to be arrested the moment he sets foot in England.


he will grieve at not being able to attend his father's funeral.

He will grieve at not being able to attend his father's funeral.'


We must be content with Captain Lennox; for I don't know of any other relation."


You're a good fellow, after all, Thornton.


He spoke to me, only the other day, at Oxford.


He regretted he had seen so little of you lately.


I am obliged to you for wishing to show him respect."


"He was not over here about the time of Mrs. Hale's death?"

'He was not over here about the time of Mrs. Hale's death?'


Why, I was here then. I hadn't seen Hale for years and years: and, if you remember, I came--No, it was some time after that that I came.

Why, I was here then - no, it was some time later.


But poor Frederick Hale was not here then.


"I saw a young man walking with Miss Hale one day," replied Mr. Thornton, "and I think it was about that time."

'I saw a young man walking with Miss Hale one day, about that time,' replied Mr. Thornton.


"Oh, that would be this young Lennox, the Captain's brother.

'Oh, that would be young Lennox, the Captain's brother.


He's a lawyer, and they were in pretty constant correspondence with him; and I remember Mr. Hale told me he thought he would come down.

He's a lawyer, and they were in pretty constant correspondence with him; I remember Mr. Hale told me he thought he would come down.


Do you know," said Mr. Bell, wheeling round, and shutting one eye, the better to bring the forces of the other to bear with keen scrutiny on Mr. Thornton's face, "that I once fancied you had a little tenderness for Margaret?"

Do you know,' said Mr. Bell, wheeling round, 'that I once fancied you had a little tenderness for Margaret?'


"And so did poor Hale. Not at first, and not till I had put it into his head."

'And so did poor Hale, though not till I had put it into his head.'


She is a beautiful creature," said Mr. Thornton, driven to bay by Mr. Bell's pertinacious questioning.

She is a beautiful creature,' said Mr. Thornton, at bay.


You can speak of her in that measured way, as simply a 'beautiful creature'--only something to catch the eye.

You can speak of her in that measured way, as simply a "beautiful creature" - only something to catch the eye.


I did hope you had had nobleness enough in you to make you pay her the homage of the heart.


Though I believe--in fact I know, she would have rejected you, still to have loved her without return would have lifted you higher than all those, be they who they may, that have ever known her to love.

Though I believe she would have rejected you, still to have loved her without return would have lifted you higher than all those that have never known and loved her.


Do you speak of her as you would of a horse or a dog?"

Do you speak of her as you would of a horse or a dog?'


Mr. Thornton's eyes glowed like red embers.


"Mr. Bell," said he, "before you speak so, you should remember that all men are not as free to express what they feel as you are.

'Mr. Bell,' said he, 'not all men are as free to express what they feel as you are.


For though his heart leaped up, as at a trumpet-call, to every word that Mr. Bell had said, and though he knew that what he had said would henceforward bind the thought of the old Oxford Fellow closely up with the most precious things of his heart, yet he would not be forced into any expression of what he felt towards Margaret.

For though his heart leaped up, as at a trumpet-call, to every word that Mr. Bell had said, he would not be forced into any expression of what he felt towards Margaret.


He was no mocking-bird of praise to try, because another extolled what he reverenced and passionately loved, to outdo him in laudation.

He was no mocking-bird of praise, to try and out-do another.


So he turned to some of the dry matters of business that lay between Mr. Bell and him, as landlord and tenant.

So he turned to some matters of business that lay between Mr. Bell and him, as landlord and tenant.


"What is that heap of brick and mortar we came against in the yard?

'What is that heap of brick and mortar we came against in the yard?


"Are you building on your own account? If you are, I'm very much obliged to you."


"I'm building a dining-room--for the men I mean--the hands."

'I'm building a dining-room for the men - the hands.


"I thought you were hard to please, if this room wasn't good enough to satisfy you, a bachelor."


"I've got acquainted with a strange kind of chap, and I put one or two children in whom he is interested to school.

I've got acquainted with a strange kind of chap, and I put one or two children in whom he is interested in school.


So, as I happened to be passing near his house one day, I just went there about some trifling payment to be made; and I saw such a miserable black frizzle of a dinner--a greasy cinder of meat, as first set me a-thinking.

I happened to be passing his house one day, and called in; and I saw such a miserable black frizzle of a dinner - a greasy cinder of meat, as set me a-thinking.


But it was not till provisions grew so high this winter that I bethought me how, by buying things wholesale, and cooking a good quantity of provisions together, much money might be saved, and much comfort gained.

By buying things wholesale, and cooking a good quantity together, much money might be saved, and much comfort gained.


So I spoke to my friend--or my enemy--the man I told you of--and he found fault with every detail of my plan; and in consequence I laid it aside, both as impracticable, and also because if I forced it into operation I should be interfering with the independence of my men; when, suddenly, this Higgins came to me and graciously signified his approval of a scheme so nearly the same as mine, that I might fairly have claimed it; and, moreover, the approval of several of his fellow-workmen, to whom he had spoken.

So I spoke to this man - and he found fault with every detail of my plan; and I had laid it aside, when, suddenly, this Higgins graciously signified his approval of a scheme so nearly the same as mine, that I might fairly have claimed it.


I was a little 'riled,' I confess, by his manner, and thought of throwing the whole thing overboard to sink or swim.

I was a little "riled", I confess, and thought of throwing the whole thing overboard.


But it seemed childish to relinquish a plan which I had once thought wise and well-laid, just because I myself did not receive all the honour and consequence due to the originator. So I coolly took the part assigned to me, which is something like that of a steward to a club.

But that seemed a childish reaction; so I coolly took the part assigned to me, which is something like that of steward to a club.


I buy in the provisions wholesale, and provide a fitting matron or cook."

I buy in the provisions wholesale, and provide a cook.'


"I hope you give satisfaction in your new capacity.


Are you a good judge of potatoes and onions?


But I suppose Mrs. Thornton assists you in your marketing."

But I suppose Mrs. Thornton assists you.'


"She disapproves of the whole plan, and now we never mention it to each other.


But I manage pretty well, getting in great stocks from Liverpool, and being served in butcher's meat by our own family butcher.

But I manage pretty well, getting in great stocks from Liverpool, and meat from our own family butcher.


I can assure you, the hot dinners the matron turns out are not to be despised."

I can assure you, the hot dinners the cook turns out are by no means to be despised.'


"Do you taste each dish as it goes in, in virtue of your office?


"I was very scrupulous, at first, in confining myself to the mere purchasing part, and even in that I rather obeyed the men's orders, conveyed through the housekeeper, than went by my own judgment.

'I was very scrupulous, at first, in confining myself to the buying, and even in that I obeyed the men's orders rather than my own judgment.


At one time, the beef was too large, at another the mutton was not fat enough.


I think they saw how careful I was to leave them free, and not to intrude my own ideas upon them; so, one day, two or three of the men--my friend Higgins among them--asked me if I would not come in and take a snack.

I think they saw how careful I was not to intrude my own ideas upon them; so, one day, some of the men - my friend Higgins among them - asked me to come in and take a snack.


It was a very busy day, but I saw that the men would be hurt if, after making the advance, I didn't meet them half-way, so I went in, and I never made a better dinner in my life.

It was a very busy day, but I saw that the men would be hurt if I didn't, so I went in, and I never made a better dinner in my life.


I told them (my next neighbours I mean, for I'm no speech-maker) how much I enjoyed it; and for some time, whenever that especial dinner recurred in their dietary, I was sure to be met by these men, with a 'Master, there's hot-pot for dinner to-day, win yo' come in?'

I told them how much I'd enjoyed it; and for some time after I'd be met by these men, with a "Master, there's hot-pot for dinner today, win yo' come?"'


If they had not asked me, I would no more have intruded on them than I'd have gone to the mess at the barracks without invitation."


"I should think you were rather a restraint on your hosts' conversation.

'I should think you were rather a restraint on your hosts' conversation.


They can't abuse the masters while you're there.'


I expect they take it out on non-hot-pot days."


hitherto we've steered clear of all vexed questions.


But if any of the old disputes came up again, I would certainly speak out my mind next hot-pot day.

if any of the old disputes came up, I would certainly speak out my mind next hot-pot day.


But you are hardly acquainted with our Darkshire fellows, for all you're a Darkshire man yourself.


They have such a sense of humour, and such a racy mode of expression!


I am getting really to know some of them now, and they talk pretty freely before me."

I am getting to know some of them now, and they talk pretty freely before me.'


"Nothing like the act of eating for equalising men.

'Nothing like the act of eating for equalising men.


The philosopher dies sententiously--the pharisee ostentatiously--the simple-hearted humbly--the poor idiot blindly, as the sparrow falls to the ground; the philosopher and idiot, publican and pharisee, all eat after the same fashion--given an equally good digestion.


"Indeed I have no theory; I hate theories."


To show my penitence, will you accept a ten pound note towards your marketing, and give the poor fellows a feast?"

Will you accept a ten pound note towards your marketing, and give the poor fellows a feast?'


They pay me rent for the oven and cooking-places at the back of the mill: and will have to pay more for the new dining-room.

They pay me rent for the oven and cooking-places at the back of the mill.


Once let in the principle, and I should have people going and talking, and spoiling the simplicity of the whole thing."


"My enemies, if I have any, may make a philanthropic fuss about this dinner-scheme; but you are a friend, and I expect that you will now pay my experiment the respect of silence.


It is but a new broom at present, and sweeps clean enough.


But by-an-bye we shall meet with plenty of stumbling-blocks, no doubt."

But by-and-by we shall meet with plenty of stumbling-blocks, no doubt.'


"Mist clogs the sunshine, Smoky dwarf houses Have we round on every side."


The next afternoon, about twenty miles from Milton-Northern, they entered on the little branch railway that led to Heston.

The next afternoon they travelled on the railway to Heston.


Heston itself was one long straggling street, running parallel to the seashore.

Heston was one long straggling street, running parallel to the seashore.


It had a character of its own, as different from the little bathing-places in the south of England as they again from those of the continent. To use a Scotch word, everything looked more "purpose-like."

It was different from the little bathing-places in the south of England: to use a Scotch word, everything looked more 'purposelike.'


The country carts had more iron, and less wood and leather about the horse-gear; the people in the streets, although on pleasure bent, had yet a busy mind. The colours looked grayer--more enduring, not so gay and pretty.

The people looked busier; the colours looked greyer.


There were no smock-frocks, even among the country-folk; they retarded motion, and were apt to catch on machinery, and so the habit of wearing them had died out.


In such towns in the south of England, Margaret had seen the shopmen, when not employed in their business, lounging a little at their doors, enjoying the fresh air, and the look up and down the street.

In such towns in the south of England, Margaret had seen shopmen lounging at their doors to look up and down the street.


Here, if they had any leisure from customers, they made themselves business in the shop--even, Margaret fancied, to the unnecessary unrolling and re-rolling of ribbons.

Here, if they had any leisure, they busied themselves in the shop - even, Margaret fancied, to the unnecessary unrolling and rerolling of ribbons.


All these differences struck upon her mind, as she and her mother went out next morning to look for lodgings.

All these differences struck her, as she and her mother went out next morning to look for lodgings.


Their two nights at hotels had cost more than Mr. Hale had anticipated, and they were glad to take the first clean, cheerful rooms they met with that were at liberty to receive them.

Two nights in hotels had cost more than anticipated, and they were glad to take the first clean, cheerful rooms they found.


There, for the first time for many days, did Margaret feel at rest.

There, for the first time for many days, Margaret felt at rest.


There was a dreaminess in the rest, too, which made it still more perfect and luxurious to repose in.

There was a dreaminess which made it still more perfect and luxurious.


The distant sea, lapped the sandy shore with measured sound; the nearer cries of the donkey-boys; the unusual scenes moving before her like pictures, which she cared not in her laziness to have fully explained before they passed away; the stroll down to the beach to breathe the sea-air, soft and warm on that sandy shore even to the end of November; the great long misty sea-line touching the tender-coloured sky; the white sail of a distant boat turning silver in some pale sunbeam:--it seemed as if she could dream her life away in such luxury of pensiveness, in which she made her present all in all, from not daring to think of the past, or wishing to contemplate the future.

The distant sea, lapping the sandy shore; the cries of the donkey-boys; the stroll down to the beach to breathe the sea-air, soft and warm even at the end of November; the great long misty sea-line touching the sky; the white sail of a distant boat turning silver in some pale sunbeam: she felt she could dream her life away here, without thinking of the past or future.


But the future must be met, however stern and iron it be.

But the future must be met, however stern and iron it might be.


One evening it was arranged that Margaret and her father should go the next day to Milton-Northern, and look out for a house.

One evening it was arranged that Margaret and her father should go the next day to Milton-Northern, and look for a house.


Mr. Hale had received several letters from Mr. Bell, and one or two from Mr. Thornton, and he was anxious to ascertain at once a good many particulars respecting his position and chances of success there, which he could only do by an interview with the latter gentleman.

Mr. Hale was anxious to see Mr. Thornton and ascertain his position.


Margaret knew that they ought to be removing; but she had a repugnance to the idea of a manufacturing town, and believed that her mother was receiving benefit from Heston air, so she would willingly have deferred the expedition to Milton.

Margaret had a repugnance to the idea of a manufacturing town, and would willingly have put off the expedition.


For several miles before they reached Milton, they saw a deep lead-coloured cloud hanging over the horizon in the direction in which it lay. It was all the darker from contrast with the pale gray-blue of the wintry sky; for in Heston there had been the earliest signs of frost.

For several miles before they reached Milton, they saw a deep lead-coloured cloud hanging over the horizon above it, contrasting with the pale wintry sky.


Nearer to the town, the air had a faint taste and smell of smoke; perhaps, after all, more a loss of the fragrance of grass and herbage than any positive taste or smell.

Nearer to the town, the air had a faint taste and smell of smoke.


Quick they were whirled over long, straight, hopeless streets of regularly-built houses, all small and of brick.

They were whirled over long, straight, hopeless streets of small brick houses.


Here and there a great oblong many-windowed factory stood up, like a hen among her chickens, puffing out black "unparliamentary" smoke, and sufficiently accounting for the cloud which Margaret had taken to foretell rain.

Here and there a great oblong many-windowed factory stood up, like a hen among her chickens, puffing out black smoke, and accounting for the cloud.


As they drove through the larger and wider streets, from the station to the hotel, they had to stop constantly; great loaded lurries blocked up the not over-wide thoroughfares.

As they drove through the streets, they had to stop constantly; loaded lorries blocked up the thoroughfares.


Margaret had now and then been into the city in her drives with her aunt.

Margaret had now and then been into the city of London in her drives with her aunt.


But there the heavy lumbering vehicles seemed various in their purposes and intent; here every van, every waggon and truck, bore cotton, either in the raw shape in bags, or the woven shape in bales of calico.

But there the heavy lumbering vehicles seemed to have various purposes; here, every van, wagon and truck bore cotton, either raw in bags, or woven, in the form of bales of calico.


People thronged the footpaths, most of them well-dressed as regarded the material, but with a slovenly looseness which struck Margaret as different from the shabby, threadbare smartness of a similar class in London.


"This, I believe, is the principal street in Milton. Bell has often spoken to me about it.

'This, Bell tells me, is the main street in Milton.


It was the opening of this street from a lane into a great thoroughfare, thirty years ago, which has caused his property to rise so much in value.

It was the making of this street into a great thoroughfare, thirty years ago, which has caused his property to rise so much in value.


Mr. Thornton's mill must be somewhere not very far off, for he is Mr. Bell's tenant.

Mr. Thornton's mill must be nearby, for he is Mr. Bell's tenant.


But I fancy he dates from his warehouse."


"Close to the end of this street, I believe.


Shall we have lunch before or after we have looked at the houses we marked in the Milton Times?"
"Oh, let us get our work done first."
"Very well. Then I will only see if there is any note or letter for me from Mr. Thornton, who said he would let me know anything he might hear about these houses, and then we will set off.

Before we look for those houses we marked in the Milton Times, I will see if there is any letter for me at our hotel from Mr. Thornton. He said he would let me know anything he might hear about the houses.'


We will keep the cab; it will be safer than losing ourselves, and being too late for the train this afternoon."


There were no letters awaiting him. They set out on their house-hunting.

There were no letters awaiting him, so they set out on their house-hunting.


Thirty pounds a-year was all they could afford to give, but in Hampshire they could have met with a roomy house and pleasant garden for the money.

Thirty pounds a year was all they could afford, but in Hampshire they could have found a roomy house and pleasant garden for the money.


Here, even the necessary accommodation of two sitting-rooms and four bed-rooms seemed unattainable.

Here, even the necessary two sitting-rooms and four bed-rooms seemed unattainable.


They went through their list, rejecting each as they visited it.


They then looked at each other in dismay.

Then they looked at each other in dismay.


"We must go back to the second, I think.

'We must go back to the second, I think,' said Margaret.


That one,--in Crampton, don't they call the suburb?


There were three sitting-rooms; don't you remember how we laughed at the number compared with the three bed-rooms?

There were three sitting-rooms; don't you remember how we laughed at the number compared with the three bedrooms?


The front room down-stairs is to be your study and our dining-room (poor papa!), for you know, we settled mamma is to have as cheerful a sitting-room as we can get; and that front room up-stairs, with the atrocious blue and pink paper and heavy cornice, had really a pretty view over the plain, with a great bend of river, or canal, or whatever it is, down below.

The front room downstairs is to be your study and our dining-room, for mamma is to have the cheerful sitting-room; and that room upstairs, with the atrocious blue and pink paper, had a pretty view of the plain with the river, or canal, or whatever it is, down below.


Then I could have the little bed-room behind, in that projection at the head of the first flight of stairs over the kitchen, you know--and you and mamma the room behind the drawing-room, and that closet in the roof will make you a splendid dressing-room."

Then I could have the little bedroom behind - over the kitchen - and you and mamma the room behind the drawing-room.'


"But Dixon, and the girl we are to have to help?"


I am overpowered by the discovery of my own genius for management.


Dixon is to have--let me see, I had it once--the back sitting-room.

Dixon is to have, let me see - the back sitting-room.


She grumbles so much about the stairs at Heston; and the girl is to have that sloping attic over your room and mamma's.

And the girl can have that sloping attic over your room and mamma's.


And the over-loading such a house with colour and such heavy cornices!"


Surely you can charm the landlord into re-papering one or two of the rooms--the drawing-room and your bed-room--for mamma will come most in contact with them; and your book-shelves will hide a great deal of that gaudy pattern in the dining-room."

Surely you can charm the landlord into re-papering the drawing-room and your bedroom; and your book-shelves will hide a great deal of that gaudy pattern in the dining-room.'


If so, I had better go at once and call on this Mr. Donkin, to whom the advertisement refers me.

If so, I had better go and call on the landlord.


I will take you back to the hotel, where you can order lunch, and rest, and by the time it is ready, I shall be with you.

I will take you back to the hotel, where you can order lunch, and by the time it is ready, I shall be with you.


I hope I shall be able to get new papers."

I hope I shall be able to get new wallpaper.'


Margaret hoped so too, though she said nothing.


She had never come fairly in contact with the taste that loves ornament, however bad, more than the plainness and simplicity which are of themselves the framework of elegance.


Her father took her through the entrance of the hotel, and leaving her at the foot of the staircase, went to the address of the landlord of the house they had fixed upon.

Her father took her through the entrance of the hotel, and went away.


Just as Margaret had her hand on the door of their sitting-room, she was followed by a quick-stepping waiter:

Just as Margaret was entering their sitting-room, she was addressed by a waiter:


The gentleman was gone so quickly, I had no time to tell him.


Mr. Thornton called almost directly after you left; and as I understood, from what the gentleman said, you would be back in an hour, I told him so, and he came again about five minutes ago, and said he would wait for Mr. Hale.

Mr. Thornton called directly after you left; and, as I understood you would be back in an hour, I told him so, and he came again five minutes ago, and said he would wait for Mr. Hale.


My father will return soon, and then you can tell him."


Margaret opened the door and went in with the straight, fearless, dignified presence habitual to her.

Margaret opened the door and went in; straight, fearless and dignified, as usual.


She felt no awkwardness; she had too much the habits of society for that. Here was a person come on business to her father; and, as he was one who had shown himself obliging, she was disposed to treat him with a full measure of civility.

She felt no awkwardness; here was a person come on business to her father; and she would treat him with civility.


Mr. Thornton was a good deal more surprised and discomfited than she.


Instead of a quiet, middle-aged clergyman, a young lady came forward with frank dignity,--a young lady of a different type to most of those he was in the habit of seeing.

Instead of a quiet, middle-aged clergyman, a young lady came forward with frank dignity - a young lady of a different type to those he was in the habit of seeing.


Her dress was very plain: a close straw bonnet of the best material and shape, trimmed with white ribbon; a large Indian shawl, which hung about her in long heavy folds, and which she wore as an empress wears her drapery.

Her dress was very plain: a close straw bonnet of the best material; a dark silk gown, without any trimming; a large Indian shawl, which she wore as an empress wears her drapery.


He did not understand who she was, as he caught the simple, straight, unabashed look, which showed that his being there was of no concern to the beautiful countenance, and called up no flush of surprise to the pale ivory of the complexion.

He did not understand who she was, as he caught the simple, straight, unabashed look.


He had heard that Mr. Hale had a daughter, but he had imagined that she was a little girl.

He had heard that Mr. Hale had a daughter, but he had imagined that she was a little girl; and his words would not come.


said Margaret, after a half-instant's pause, during which his unready words would not come.


My father brought me to the door not a minute ago, but unfortunately he was not told that you were here, and he has gone away on some business.

Unfortunately my father was not told that you were here, and he has gone away on some business.


I am sorry you have had the trouble of calling twice."

I am sorry you have had the trouble of calling twice.'


Mr. Thornton was in habits of authority himself, but she seemed to assume some kind of rule over him at once.

Mr. Thornton was in the habit of authority himself, but she seemed to assume some kind of rule over him.


He had been getting impatient at the loss of his time on a market-day, the moment before she appeared, yet now he calmly took a seat at her bidding.


"Do you know where it is that Mr. Hale has gone to?


"He has gone to a Mr. Donkin in Canute Street. He is the landlord of the house my father wishes to take in Crampton."

'He has gone to a Mr. Donkin's; the landlord of the house my father wishes to take in Crampton.'


He had seen the advertisement, and been to look at it, in compliance with a request of Mr. Bell's that he would assist Mr. Hale to the best of his power: and also instigated by his own interest in the case of a clergyman who had given up his living under circumstances such as those of Mr. Hale.

He had seen the advertisement, and been to look at it, in compliance with a request of Mr. Bell's: and also because of his own interest in Mr. Hale's circumstances.


Mr. Thornton had thought that the house in Crampton was really just the thing; but now that he saw Margaret, with her superb ways of moving and looking, he began to feel ashamed of having imagined that it would do very well for the Hales, in spite of a certain vulgarity in it which had struck him at the time of his looking it over.

Mr. Thornton had thought that the house in Crampton, despite a certain vulgarity, was really just the thing; but now that he saw Margaret, with her superb ways of moving and looking, he began to feel ashamed of having imagined that it would do very well for the Hales.


Margaret could not help her looks; but the short curled upper lip, the round, massive up-turned chin, the manner of carrying her head, her movements, full of a soft feminine defiance, always gave strangers the impression of haughtiness.

Margaret could not help her looks; but the short curled upper lip, the round, up-turned chin, the manner of carrying her head, and her movements, full of a soft feminine defiance, always gave strangers the impression of haughtiness.


She was tired now, and would much rather have remained silent, and taken the rest her father had planned for her; but, of course, she owed to herself to be a gentlewoman, and to speak courteously from time to time to this stranger; not over-brushed, nor over-polished, it must be confessed, after his rough encounter with Milton streets and crowds.

She was tired now, and would rather have rested; but she owed it to herself to speak courteously to this stranger.


She wished that he would go, as he had once spoken of doing, instead of sitting there, answering with curt sentences all the remarks she made.

She wished that he would go, instead of sitting there, curtly answering all her remarks.


She had taken off her shawl, and hung it over the back of her chair.

She had taken off her shawl, and sat facing the light.


She sat facing him and facing the light; her full beauty met his eye; her round white flexile throat rising out of the full, yet lithe figure; her lips moving so slightly as she spoke, not breaking the cold serene look of her face with any variation from the one lovely haughty curve; her eyes, with their soft gloom, meeting his with quiet maiden freedom.

Her full beauty met his eye; her round white throat rising out of the lithe figure; her moving lips not breaking the cold serene look of her face; her eyes meeting his with quiet freedom.


He almost said to himself that he did not like her, before their conversation ended; he tried so to compensate himself for the mortified feeling, that while he looked upon her with an admiration he could not repress, she looked at him with proud indifference, taking him, he thought, for what, in his irritation, he told himself he was--a great rough fellow, with not a grace or a refinement about him.

He almost said to himself that he did not like her. While he looked upon her with admiration, she looked at him with proud indifference, taking him, he thought, for what he was - a great rough fellow, with not a refinement about him.


Her quiet coldness of demeanour he interpreted into contemptuousness, and resented it in his heart to the pitch of almost inclining him to get up and go away, and have nothing more to do with these Hales, and their superciliousness.

Her quiet coldness he interpreted as contempt, and resented it so much that he was almost inclined to get up and go away, and have nothing more to do with these supercilious Hales.


Just as Margaret had exhausted her last subject of conversation--and yet conversation that could hardly be called which consisted of so few and such short speeches--her father came in, and with his pleasant gentlemanly courteousness of apology, reinstated his name and family in Mr. Thornton's good opinion.

Just as Margaret had exhausted her last subject of conversation, her father came in, and with a pleasant gentlemanly apology reinstated his family in Mr. Thornton's good opinion.


Mr. Hale and his visitor had a good deal to say respecting their mutual friend, Mr. Bell; and Margaret, glad that her part of entertaining the visitor was over, went to the window to try and make herself more familiar with the strange aspect of the street. She got so much absorbed in watching what was going on outside that she hardly heard her father when he spoke to her, and he had to repeat what he said:

The two men had much to say about their mutual friend, Mr. Bell; and Margaret, glad that her part of entertaining the visitor was over, went to the window and was gazing out at the street, when her father spoke to her:


the landlord will persist in admiring that hideous paper, and I am afraid we must let it remain."

the landlord will persist in admiring that hideous paper, and I am afraid we must let it remain.'


she replied, and began to turn over in her mind the possibility of hiding part of it, at least, by some of her sketches, but gave up the idea at last, as likely only to make bad worse.

she replied, and began to consider if she could hide part of it, at least, with some of her sketches.


Her father, meanwhile, with his kindly country hospitality, was pressing Mr. Thornton to stay to luncheon with them.

Her father, meanwhile, was pressing Mr. Thornton to stay to luncheon.


It would have been very inconvenient to him to do so, yet he felt that he should have yielded, if Margaret by word or look had seconded her father's invitation; he was glad she did not, and yet he was irritated at her for not doing so.

It would have been very inconvenient to him to do so, yet he felt that he should accept, if Margaret also invited him. She did not, and he was glad, yet irritated at her.


She gave him a low, grave bow when he left, and he felt more awkward and self-conscious in every limb than he had ever done in his life before.

She gave him a low, grave bow when he left, and he felt more awkward and self-conscious than he had ever done in his life.


"Well, Margaret, now to luncheon as fast as we can.


"No, papa; that man was here when I came home, and I have never had an opportunity."


He must have been waiting a long time I'm afraid."

Mr. Thornton must have been waiting a long time, I'm afraid.'


I was just at the last gasp when you came in.


He never went on with any subject, but gave little, short, abrupt answers."


"Very much to the point though, I should think.

'Very much to the point though, I should think.


He said (did you hear?) that Crampton is on gravelly soil, and by far the most healthy suburb in the neighbourhood of Milton."

He said that Crampton is on gravelly soil, and by far the most healthy suburb near Milton.'


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.

When they returned to Heston, Mrs. Hale was full of questions.


"And what is your correspondent, Mr. Thornton, like?"


"She and he had a long attempt at conversation, while I was away speaking to the landlord."

'She and he had a long attempt at conversation, while I was away speaking to the landlord.'


I hardly know what he is like," said Margaret, lazily; too tired to tax her powers of description much.

I hardly know what he is like,' said Margaret lazily.


And then rousing herself, she said, "He is a tall, broad-shouldered man, about--how old, papa?"

'He is a tall, broad-shouldered man, about - how old, papa?'


"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."

'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, rather jealous of any disparagement of the sole friend he had in Milton.

'Not vulgar or common though,' put in her father.


"With such an expression of resolution and power, no face, however plain in feature, could be either vulgar or common.

'With such an expression of resolution and power, no face could be vulgar or common.


I should not like to have to bargain with him; he looks very inflexible.


Altogether a man who seems made for his niche, mamma; sagacious, and strong, as becomes a great tradesman."

Altogether he seems made for his niche, mamma; sagacious, and strong, as becomes a great tradesman.'


"Don't call the Milton manufacturers tradesmen, Margaret," said her father.

'Don't call the Milton manufacturers tradesmen, Margaret,' said her father.


I apply the word to all who have something tangible to sell; but if you think the term is not correct, papa, I won't use it.

If you think the term is not correct, papa, I won't use it.


speaking of vulgarity and commonness, you must prepare yourself for our drawing-room paper.

speaking of vulgarity, you must prepare yourself for our drawing-room paper.


Pink and blue roses, with yellow leaves!'


And such a heavy cornice round the room!"


But when they removed to their new house in Milton, the obnoxious papers were gone.

But when they moved to their new house in Milton, the obnoxious wallpaper was gone.


The landlord received their thanks very composedly; and let them think, if they liked, that he had relented from his expressed determination not to repaper. There was no particular need to tell them, that what he did not care to do for a Reverend Mr. Hale, unknown in Milton, he was only too glad to do at the one short sharp remonstrance of Mr. Thornton, the wealthy manufacturer.

The landlord let them think that he had relented; there was no need to tell them that what he did not care to do for an unknown Mr. Hale, he was only too glad to do at the short sharp remonstrance of Mr. Thornton, the wealthy manufacturer.


"We are the trees whom shaking fastens more."


Mr. Thornton left the house without coming into the dining-room again. He was rather late, and walked rapidly out to Crampton.

Mr. Thornton left the house, and walked rapidly to Crampton.


He was anxious not to slight his new friend by any disrespectful unpunctuality.

He was anxious not to slight his new friend by arriving late.


The church-clock struck half-past seven as he stood at the door awaiting Dixon's slow movements; always doubly tardy when she had to degrade herself by answering the door-bell. He was ushered into the little drawing-room, and kindly greeted by Mr. Hale, who led him up to his wife, whose pale face, and shawl-draped figure made a silent excuse for the cold languor of her greeting.

The church clock struck half past seven as he rang the door-bell, and was ushered into the little drawing-room.
He was kindly greeted by Mr. Hale, who led him to his wife. Her pale face made a silent excuse for the cold languor of her greeting.


Margaret was lighting the lamp when he entered, for the darkness was coming on. The lamp threw a pretty light into the centre of the dusky room, from which, with country habits, they did not exclude the night-skies, and the outer darkness of air.

Margaret was lighting the lamp when he entered; it threw a pretty light into the centre of the dusky room.


Somehow, that room contrasted itself with the one he had lately left; handsome, ponderous, with no sign of female habitation, except in the one spot where his mother sate, and no convenience for any other employment than eating and drinking.

Somehow, that room contrasted itself with the one he had lately left; handsome and ponderous, with no sign of feminine habitation, except in the one spot where his mother sat.


To be sure, it was a dining-room; his mother preferred to sit in it; and her will was a household law. But the drawing-room was not like this.

To be sure, that was a dining-room; but his mother's drawing-room was not like this either.


It was twice--twenty times as fine; not one quarter as comfortable.

It was twenty times as fine; not one quarter as comfortable.


Here were no mirrors, not even a scrap of glass to reflect the light, and answer the same purpose as water in a landscape; no gilding; a warm, sober breadth of colouring, well relieved by the dear old Helstone chintz-curtains and chair covers.

Here were no mirrors, no gilding - just the dear old Helstone chintz-curtains and chair covers.


An open davenport stood in the window opposite the door; in the other there was a stand, with a tall white china vase, from which drooped wreaths of English ivy, pale green birch, and copper-coloured beech-leaves.

In one window was a tall white vase, from which drooped wreaths of English ivy, pale-green birch, and copper-coloured beech-leaves.


Pretty baskets of work stood about in different places: and books, not cared for on account of their binding solely, lay on one table, as if recently put down.

Pretty baskets of work stood about: and books lay on one table, as if recently put down.


Behind the door was another table decked out for tea, with a white table-cloth, on which flourished the cocoa-nut cakes, and a basket piled with oranges and ruddy American apples, heaped on leaves.

Behind the door was a table set for tea, with cocoa-nut cakes, and a basket piled with oranges and ruddy American apples, heaped on leaves.


It appeared to Mr. Thornton that all these graceful cares were habitual to the family; and especially of a piece with Margaret.

It appeared to Mr. Thornton that all these graceful cares especially fitted Margaret.


She stood by the tea-table in a light-coloured muslin gown, which had a good deal of pink about it. She looked as if she was not attending to the conversation, but solely busy with the tea-cups, among which her round ivory hands moved with pretty, noiseless, daintiness.

She stood by the tea-table in a light-coloured muslin gown, not attending to the conversation, but busy with the tea-cups, among which her ivory hands moved with pretty, noiseless daintiness.


She had a bracelet on one taper arm, which would fall down over her round wrist.

She had a bracelet on one arm, which would fall down over her round wrist.


Mr. Thornton watched the replacing of this troublesome ornament with far more attention than he listened to her father.


It seemed as if it fascinated him to see her push it up impatiently until it tightened her soft flesh; and then to mark the loosening--the fall.

It fascinated him to see her push it up impatiently, until it tightened her soft flesh; and then to mark the loosening - the fall.


He could almost have exclaimed--"There it goes again!"

He could almost have exclaimed, 'There it goes, again!'


There was so little left to be done after he arrived at the preparation for tea, that he was almost sorry the obligation of eating and drinking came so soon to prevent him watching Margaret.


She handed him his cup of tea with the proud air of an unwilling slave; but her eye caught the moment when he was ready for another cup; and he almost longed to ask her to do for him what he saw her compelled to do for her father, who took her little finger and thumb in his masculine hand, and made them serve as sugar-tongues.

Margaret handed him his cup of tea with the proud air of an unwilling slave; but her eye caught the moment when he was ready for another cup; and he almost longed to ask her to do for him what he saw her compelled to do for her father, who took her little finger and thumb in his masculine hand, and made them serve as sugar-tongs.


Mr. Thornton saw her beautiful eyes lifted to her father, full of light, half-laughter, and half-love, as this bit of pantomime went on between the two, unobserved as they fancied, by any.

Mr. Thornton saw her beautiful eyes lifted to her father, full of light, half-laughter and half-love, as this bit of pantomime went on between the two.


Margaret's head still ached, as the paleness of her complexion, and her silence might have testified; but she was resolved to throw herself into the breach, if there was any long untoward pause, rather than that her father's friend, pupil, and guest should have cause to think himself in any way neglected.

Margaret's head still ached; but she was resolved to throw herself into the breach, if there was any long pause, rather than give her father's guest any cause to think himself neglected.


But the conversation went on; and Margaret drew into a corner, near her mother, with her work, after the tea-things were taken away; and felt that she might let her thoughts roam, without fear of being suddenly wanted to fill up a gap.

But the conversation went on; and after tea Margaret drew into a corner with her work. She felt that she might let her thoughts roam, without fear of being suddenly wanted to fill up a gap.


Mr. Thornton and Mr. Hale were both absorbed in the continuation of some object which had been started at their last meeting.

Mr. Thornton and Mr. Hale were both absorbed in some subject they had started discussing at their last meeting.


Margaret was recalled to a sense of the present by some trivial, low-spoken remark of her mother's; and on suddenly looking up from her work, her eye was caught by the difference of outward appearance between her father and Mr. Thornton, as betokening such distinctly opposite natures.

On looking up from her work, Margaret's eye was caught by the difference in appearance between the two men.


Her father was of slight figure, which made him appear taller than he really was, when not contrasted, as at this time, with the tall, massive frame of another.

Her father was of slight figure, when contrasted with the tall, massive frame of the other.


The lines in her father's face were soft and waving, with a frequent undulating kind of trembling movement passing over them, showing every fluctuating emotion; the eyelids were large and arched, giving to the eyes a peculiar languid beauty which was almost feminine.

The lines in her father's face were soft and waving, with a frequent trembling movement passing over them, showing every fluctuating emotion; the eyelids were large and arched, giving to the eyes a languid beauty which was almost feminine.


The brows were finely arched, but were by the very size of the dreamy lids, raised to a considerable distance from the eyes.


Now, in Mr. Thornton's face the straight brows fell low over the clear, deep-set, earnest eyes, which without being unpleasantly sharp, seemed intent enough to penetrate into the very heart and core of what he was looking at.

In Mr. Thornton's face the straight brows fell low over clear, deep-set, earnest eyes, which seemed intent enough to penetrate into the very core of what he was looking at.


The lines in the face were few but firm, as if they were carved in marble, and lay principally about the lips, which were slightly compressed, over a set of teeth so faultless and beautiful as to give the effect of sudden sunlight when the rare bright smile, coming in an instant and shining out of the eyes, changed the whole look from the severe and resolved expression of a man ready to do and dare everything, to the keen, honest, enjoyment of the moment, which is seldom shown so fearlessly and instantaneously except by children.

The lines in the face were few but firm, as if they were carved in marble; his lips were slightly compressed over teeth so faultless as to give the effect of sudden sunlight when a rare bright smile shone out of the eyes. It changed his whole look from a severe and resolved expression to the keen honest enjoyment of the moment, which is seldom shown so fearlessly except by children.


Margaret liked this smile; it was the first thing she had admired in this new friend of her father's; and the opposition of character, shown in all these details of appearance she had just been noticing, seemed to explain the attraction they evidently felt towards each other.

Margaret liked this smile; it was the first thing she had admired in this new friend of her father's; and the opposition of character seemed to explain the attraction the two men evidently felt towards each other.


She rearranged her mother's worsted-work, and fell back into her own thoughts--as completely forgotten by Mr. Thornton as if she had not been in the room, so thoroughly was he occupied in explaining to Mr. Hale the magnificent power, yet delicate adjustment of the might of the steam-hammer, which was recalling to Mr. Hale some of the wonderful stories of subservient genii in the Arabian Nights--one moment stretching from earth to sky and filling all the width of the horizon, at the next obediently compressed into a vase small enough to be borne in the hand of a child.

She rearranged her mother's wool-work, and fell back into her own thoughts, while Mr. Thornton forgot her presence in explaining to Mr. Hale the magnificent power, yet delicate adjustment of the steam-hammer, which was recalling to Mr. Hale some of the wonderful stories of genii in the Arabian Nights - one moment stretching from earth to sky, at the next obediently compressed into a vase small enough to be held in a child's hand.


"And this imagination of power, this practical realisation of a gigantic thought, came out of one man's brain in our good town.

'And this practical realisation of a gigantic thought came out of one man's brain in our good town.


That very man has it within him to mount, step by step, on each wonder he achieves to higher marvels still.

That man has it within him to mount, step by step, to higher marvels still.


And I'll be bound to say, we have many among us who, if he were gone, could spring into the breach and carry on the war which compels, and shall compel, all material power to yield to science."

And I'll be bound to say, we have many among us who could carry on the war which shall compel all material power to yield to science.


"Your boast reminds me of the old lines--


'I've a hundred captains in England,' he said, 'As good as ever was he.'"


At her father's quotation Margaret looked suddenly up, with inquiring wonder in her eyes.


How in the world had they got from the cog-wheels to Chevy Chace?


"It is no boast of mine," replied Mr. Thornton; "it is plain matter-of-fact.


I won't deny that I am proud of belonging to a town--or perhaps I should rather say a district--the necessities of which give birth to such grandeur of conception.

I won't deny that I am proud of belonging to a town - perhaps I should rather say a district - which has given birth to such grandeur of conception.


I would rather be a man toiling, suffering--nay, failing and successless--here, than lead a dull prosperous life in the old worn grooves of what you call more aristocratic society down in the South, with their slow days of careless ease.

I would rather be a man toiling, suffering - even failing - here. than lead a dull prosperous life in the old worn grooves of what you call aristocratic society down in the South, with their slow days of careless ease.


One may be clogged with honey and unable to rise and fly."

One may be clogged with honey and unable to rise and fly.'


"You are mistaken," said Margaret, roused by the aspersion on her beloved South to a fond vehemence of defence, that brought the colour into her cheeks and the angry tears into her eyes.

'You are mistaken,' said Margaret, roused by the aspersion on her beloved South to a vehemence that brought the colour into her cheeks and angry tears into her eyes.


"You do not know anything about the South.

'You do not know anything about the South.


If there is less adventure or less progress--I suppose I must not say less excitement--from the gambling spirit of trade, which seems requisite to force out these wonderful inventions, there is less suffering also.

If there is less adventure or less progress there from the gambling spirit of trade, which seems necessary to force out these wonderful inventions, there is less suffering also.


I see men here going about in the streets who look ground down by some pinching sorrow or care--who are not only sufferers but haters.

I see men here going about in the streets who look ground down by sorrow or care - who are not only sufferers but haters.


Now, in the South we have our poor, but there is not that terrible expression in their countenances of a sullen sense of injustice which I see here.

Now, in the South we have our poor, but they have not that terrible expression of a sullen sense of injustice which I see here.


You do not know the South, Mr. Thornton," she concluded, collapsing into a determined silence, and angry with herself for having said so much.

You do not know the South, Mr. Thornton,' she concluded, angry with herself for having said so much.


"And may I say you do not know the North?"

'And may I say you do not know the North?'


asked he, with an inexpressible gentleness in his tone, as he saw that he had really hurt her.

asked he, with an inexpressible gentleness, as he saw that he had really hurt her.


She continued resolutely silent; yearning after the lovely haunts she had left far away in Hampshire, with a passionate longing that made her feel her voice would be unsteady and trembling if she spoke.

She remained resolutely silent; her passionate longing for the lovely haunts she had left made her feel that her voice would tremble if she spoke.


"At any rate, Mr. Thornton," said Mrs. Hale, "you will allow that Milton is a much more smoky, dirty town than you will ever meet with in the South."

'At any rate, Mr. Thornton,' said Mrs. Hale, 'you will admit that Milton is a much more smoky, dirty town than you will ever see in the South.'


"I'm afraid I must give up its cleanliness," said Mr. Thornton, with the quick gleaming smile.

'I'm afraid so,' said Mr. Thornton, with the quick gleaming smile.


"But we are bidden by parliament to burn our own smoke; so I suppose, like good little children, we shall do as we are bid--some time."

'Though now Parliament wishes us to swallow our own smoke.'


"But I think you told me you had altered your chimneys so as to consume the smoke, did you not?"

'I think you told me you had altered your chimneys so as to consume the smoke, did you not?'


"Mine were altered by my own will, before parliament meddled with the affair. It was an immediate outlay, but it repays me in the saving of coal.

'Mine were altered before Parliament passed the Smoke Nuisance Act; it repays me in the saving of coal.


I'm not sure whether I should have done it, if I had waited until the act was passed.

I'm not sure whether I should have done it, if I had waited until the Act was passed.


At any rate, I should have waited to be informed against and fined, and given all the trouble in yielding that I legally could.

At any rate, I should have waited to be informed against and fined, and would have given all the trouble that I legally could.


But all laws which depend for their enforcement upon informers and fines, become inert from the odiousness of the machinery.


I doubt if there has been a chimney in Milton informed against for five years past, although some are constantly sending out one-third of their coal in what is called here unparliamentary smoke."

But I doubt if there has been a chimney in Milton informed against for five years past, although some are constantly sending out unparliamentary smoke.'


"I only know it is impossible to keep the muslin blinds clean here above a week together; and at Helstone we have had them up for a month or more, and they have not looked dirty at the end of that time.

'I only know it is impossible to keep the muslin blinds clean for a week together,' said Mrs. Hale; 'and at Helstone we have had them up for a month without getting dirty.'


And as for hands--Margaret, how many times did you say you had washed your hands this morning before twelve o'clock?


"You seem to have a strong objection to acts of parliament and all legislation affecting your mode of management down here at Milton," said Mr. Hale.

'You seem to have a strong objection to all laws affecting your management here at Milton,' said Mr. Hale.


"Yes, I have; and many others have as well.

'Yes, I have; and many others have as well.


The whole machinery--I don't mean the wood and iron machinery now--of the cotton trade is so new that it is no wonder if it does not work well in every part all at once.

The whole machinery - I don't mean the iron machinery now - of the cotton trade is so new that it is no wonder if it does not work well in every part all at once.


Raw, crude materials came together; men of the same level, as regarded education and station, took suddenly the different position of masters and men, owing to the motherwit, as regarded opportunities and probabilities, which distinguished some, and made them far-seeing as to what great future lay concealed in that rude model of Sir Richard Arkwright's.

Raw materials came together; men of the same level of education and station took suddenly the different positions of masters and men, owing to the mother-wit of some, which made them foresee the great future that lay concealed in that rude model of Sir Richard Arkwright's.


The rapid development of what might be called a new trade, gave those early masters enormous power of wealth and command. I don't mean merely over the workmen; I mean over purchasers--over the whole world's market.

The rapid development of a new trade gave those early masters enormous wealth and power - not merely over the workmen, but over world's market.


Why, I may give you, as an instance, an advertisement, inserted not fifty years ago in a Milton paper, that so-and-so (one of the half-dozen calico-printers of the time) would close his warehouse at noon each day; therefore, that all purchasers must come before that hour.

Why, for instance, an advertisement was inserted not fifty years ago in a Milton paper, that one of the calico-printers would close his warehouse at noon each day; and that therefore all purchasers must come before that hour.


Fancy a man dictating in this manner the time when he would sell and when he would not sell.

Fancy a man dictating in this way the time when he would sell!


Now, I believe, if a good customer chose to come at midnight, I should get up, and stand hat in hand to receive his orders."

Now, if a good customer chose to come at midnight, I should get up to receive his orders.'


Margaret's lip curled, but somehow she was compelled to listen; she could no longer abstract herself in her own thoughts.

Margaret's lip curled, but she was compelled to listen.


"I only name such things to show what almost unlimited power the manufacturers had about the beginning of this century.

'I only name such things to show what almost unlimited power the manufacturers had at the beginning of this century.


Because a man was successful in his ventures, there was no reason that in all other things his mind should be well-balanced. On the contrary, his sense of justice, and his simplicity, were often utterly smothered under the glut of wealth that came down upon him; and they tell strange tales of the wild extravagance of living indulged in on gala-days by those early cotton-lords.

Such a man's sense of justice was often smothered under the glut of wealth that came down upon him; and they tell strange tales of the wild extravagance of those early cotton-lords.


There can be no doubt, too, of the tyranny they exercised over their work-people. You know the proverb, Mr. Hale, 'Set a beggar on horseback, and he'll ride to the devil,'--well, some of these early manufacturers did ride to the devil in a magnificent style--crushing human bone and flesh under their horses' hoofs without remorse.

There can be no doubt that they tyrannised over their work-people - crushing them underfoot without remorse.


But by-and-by came a reaction; there were more factories, more masters; more men were wanted.

But by-and-by came a reaction. There were more factories; more men were wanted.


The power of masters and men became more evenly balanced; and now the battle is pretty fairly waged between us.


We will hardly submit to the decision of an umpire, much less to the interference of a meddler with only a smattering of the knowledge of the real facts of the case, even though that meddler be called the High Court of Parliament."

We will hardly submit to the decision of an umpire, much less to the interference of a meddler with only a smattering of knowledge about the real facts of the case, even though that meddler be called the High Court of Parliament.'