Heisnotalady'sman。'Margaretwreathedherthroatinascornfulcurve。'Idon'tparticularlyadmireladies'men，papa。ButMr。Thorntoncomeshereasyourfriend——asonewhohasappreciatedyou'——'TheonlypersoninMilton，'saidMrs。Hale。'Sowewillgivehimawelcome，andsomecocoa-nutcakes。Dixonwillbeflatteredifweaskhertomakesome；andIwillundertaketoironyourcaps，mamma。'ManyatimethatmorningdidMargaretwishMr。Thorntonfarenoughaway。
Shehadplannedotheremploymentsforherself:alettertoEdith，agoodpieceofDante，avisittotheHigginses。But，instead，sheironedaway，listeningtoDixon'scomplaints，andonlyhopingthatbyanexcessofsympathyshemightpreventherfromcarryingtherecitalofhersorrowstoMrs。
Hale。Everynowandthen，Margarethadtoremindherselfofherfather'sregardforMr。Thornton，tosubduetheirritationofwearinessthatwasstealingoverher，andbringingononeofthebadheadachestowhichshehadlatelybecomeliable。Shecouldhardlyspeakwhenshesatdownatlast，andtoldhermotherthatshewasnolongerPeggythelaundry-maid，butMargaretHalethelady。Shemeantthisspeechforalittlejoke，andwasvexedenoughwithherbusytonguewhenshefoundhermothertakingitseriously。'Yes！ifanyonehadtoldme，whenIwasMissBeresford，andoneofthebellesofthecounty，thatachildofminewouldhavetostandhalfaday，inalittlepokykitchen，workingawaylikeanyservant，thatwemightprepareproperlyforthereceptionofatradesman，andthatthistradesmanshouldbetheonly'——'Oh，mamma！'saidMargaret，liftingherselfup，'don'tpunishmesoforacarelessspeech。Idon'tmindironing，oranykindofwork，foryouandpapa。Iammyselfabornandbredladythroughitall，eventhoughitcomestoscouringafloor，orwashingdishes。Iamtirednow，justforalittlewhile；butinhalfanhourIshallbereadytodothesameoveragain。
AndastoMr。Thornton'sbeingintrade，whyhecan'thelpthatnow，poorfellow。Idon'tsupposehiseducationwouldfithimformuchelse。'Margaretliftedherselfslowlyup，andwenttoherownroom；forjustnowshecouldnotbearmuchmore。InMr。Thornton'shouse，atthisverysametime，asimilar，yetdifferent，scenewasgoingon。Alarge-bonedlady，longpastmiddleage，satatworkinagrimhandsomely-furnisheddining-room。Herfeatures，likeherframe，werestrongandmassive，ratherthanheavy。Herfacemovedslowlyfromonedecidedexpressiontoanotherequallydecided。Therewasnogreatvarietyinhercountenance；butthosewholookedatitonce，generallylookedatitagain；eventhepassers-byinthestreet，half-turnedtheirheadstogazeaninstantlongeratthefirm，severe，dignifiedwoman，whonevergavewayinstreet-courtesy，orpausedinherstraight-onwardcoursetotheclearly-definedendwhichsheproposedtoherself。Shewashandsomelydressedinstoutblacksilk，ofwhichnotathreadwaswornordiscoloured。Shewasmendingalargelongtable-clothofthefinesttexture，holdingitupagainstthelightoccasionallytodiscoverthinplaces，whichrequiredherdelicatecare。Therewasnotabookaboutintheroom，withtheexceptionofMatthewHenry'sBibleCommentaries，sixvolumesofwhichlayinthecentreofthemassiveside-board，flankedbyatea-urnononeside，andalampontheother。Insomeremoteapartment，therewasexerciseuponthepianogoingon。Someonewaspractisingupamorceaudesalon，playingitveryrapidly；everythirdnote，onanaverage，beingeitherindistinct，orwhollymissedout，andtheloudchordsattheendbeinghalfofthemfalse，butnotthelesssatisfactorytotheperformer。
Mrs。Thorntonheardastep，likeherowninitsdecisivecharacter，passthedining-roomdoor。'John！Isthatyou?'Hersonopenedthedoorandshowedhimself。'Whathasbroughtyouhomesoearly?IthoughtyouweregoingtoteawiththatfriendofMr。Bell's；thatMr。Hale。''SoIam，mother；Iamcomehometodress！''Dress！humph！WhenIwasagirl，youngmenweresatisfiedwithdressingonceinaday。Whyshouldyoudresstogoandtakeacupofteawithanoldparson?''Mr。Haleisagentleman，andhiswifeanddaughterareladies。''Wifeanddaughter！Dotheyteachtoo?Whatdotheydo?Youhavenevermentionedthem。''No！mother，becauseIhaveneverseenMrs。Hale；IhaveonlyseenMissHaleforhalfanhour。''Takecareyoudon'tgetcaughtbyapennilessgirl，John。''Iamnoteasilycaught，mother，asIthinkyouknow。ButImustnothaveMissHalespokenofinthatway，which，youknow，isoffensivetome。I
neverwasawareofanyyoungladytryingtocatchmeyet，nordoIbelievethatanyonehasevergiventhemselvesthatuselesstrouble。'Mrs。Thorntondidnotchoosetoyieldthepointtoherson；orelseshehad，ingeneral，prideenoughforhersex。'Well！Ionlysay，takecare。PerhapsourMiltongirlshavetoomuchspiritandgoodfeelingtogoanglingafterhusbands；butthisMissHalecomesoutofthearistocraticcounties，where，ifalltalesbetrue，richhusbandsarereckonedprizes。'Mr。Thornton'sbrowcontracted，andhecameastepforwardintotheroom。'Mother'(withashortscornfullaugh)，'youwillmakemeconfess。TheonlytimeIsawMissHale，shetreatedmewithahaughtycivilitywhichhadastrongflavourofcontemptinit。Sheheldherselfalooffrommeasifshehadbeenaqueen，andIherhumble，unwashedvassal。Beeasy，mother。''No！Iamnoteasy，norcontenteither。Whatbusinesshadshe，arenegadeclergyman'sdaughter，toturnuphernoseatyou！Iwoulddressfornoneofthem——asaucyset！ifIwereyou。'Ashewasleavingtheroom，hesaid:——'Mr。Haleisgood，andgentle，andlearned。Heisnotsaucy。AsforMrs。
Hale，Iwilltellyouwhatsheisliketo-night，ifyoucaretohear。'
Heshutthedoorandwasgone。'Despisemyson！treathimashervassal，indeed！Humph！Ishouldliketoknowwhereshecouldfindsuchanother！Boyandman，he'sthenoblest，stoutestheartIeverknew。Idon'tcareifIamhismother；Icanseewhat'swhat，andnotbeblind。IknowwhatFannyis；andIknowwhatJohnis。Despisehim！Ihateher！'
chapter10CHAPTERXWROUGHTIRONANDGOLD'Wearethetreeswhomshakingfastensmore。'GEORGEHERBERT。Mr。Thorntonleftthehousewithoutcomingintothedining-roomagain。
Hewasratherlate，andwalkedrapidlyouttoCrampton。Hewasanxiousnottoslighthisnewfriendbyanydisrespectfulunpunctuality。Thechurch-clockstruckhalf-pastsevenashestoodatthedoorawaitingDixon'sslowmovements；
alwaysdoublytardywhenshehadtodegradeherselfbyansweringthedoor-bell。
Hewasusheredintothelittledrawing-room，andkindlygreetedbyMr。
Hale，wholedhimuptohiswife，whosepaleface，andshawl-drapedfiguremadeasilentexcuseforthecoldlanguorofhergreeting。Margaretwaslightingthelampwhenheentered，forthedarknesswascomingon。Thelampthrewaprettylightintothecentreoftheduskyroom，fromwhich，withcountryhabits，theydidnotexcludethenight-skies，andtheouterdarknessofair。Somehow，thatroomcontrasteditselfwiththeonehehadlatelyleft；handsome，ponderous，withnosignoffemininehabitation，exceptintheonespotwherehismothersate，andnoconvenienceforanyotheremploymentthaneatinganddrinking。Tobesure，itwasadining-room；
hismotherpreferredtositinit；andherwillwasahouseholdlaw。Butthedrawing-roomwasnotlikethis。Itwastwice——twentytimesasfine；
notonequarterascomfortable。Herewerenomirrors，notevenascrapofglasstoreflectthelight，andanswerthesamepurposeaswaterinalandscape；nogilding；awarm，soberbreadthofcolouring，wellrelievedbythedearoldHelstonechintz-curtainsandchaircovers。Anopendavenportstoodinthewindowoppositethedoor；intheothertherewasastand，withatallwhitechinavase，fromwhichdroopedwreathsofEnglishivy，pale-greenbirch，andcopper-colouredbeech-leaves。Prettybasketsofworkstoodaboutindifferentplaces:andbooks，notcaredforonaccountoftheirbindingsolely，layononetable，asifrecentlyputdown。Behindthedoorwasanothertable，deckedoutfortea，withawhitetablecloth，onwhichflourishedthecocoa-nutcakes，andabasketpiledwithorangesandruddyAmericanapples，heapedonleaves。ItappearedtoMr。Thorntonthatallthesegracefulcareswerehabitualtothefamily；andespeciallyofapiecewithMargaret。Shestoodbythetea-tableinalight-colouredmuslingown，whichhadagooddealofpinkaboutit。Shelookedasifshewasnotattendingtotheconversation，butsolelybusywiththetea-cups，amongwhichherroundivoryhandsmovedwithpretty，noiseless，daintiness。Shehadabraceletononetaperarm，whichwouldfalldownoverherroundwrist。Mr。Thorntonwatchedthereplacingofthistroublesomeornamentwithfarmoreattentionthanhelistenedtoherfather。Itseemedasifitfascinatedhimtoseeherpushitupimpatiently，untilittightenedhersoftflesh；andthentomarktheloosening——thefall。Hecouldalmosthaveexclaimed——'Thereitgoes，again！'Therewassolittlelefttobedoneafterhearrivedatthepreparationfortea，thathewasalmostsorrytheobligationofeatinganddrinkingcamesosoontopreventhiswatchingMargaret。Shehandedhimhiscupofteawiththeproudairofanunwillingslave；buthereyecaughtthemomentwhenhewasreadyforanothercup；andhealmostlongedtoaskhertodoforhimwhathesawhercompelledtodoforherfather，whotookherlittlefingerandthumbinhismasculinehand，andmadethemserveassugar-tongs。
Mr。Thorntonsawherbeautifuleyesliftedtoherfather，fulloflight，half-laughterandhalf-love，asthisbitofpantomimewentonbetweenthetwo，unobserved，astheyfancied，byany。Margaret'sheadstillached，asthepalenessofhercomplexion，andhersilencemighthavetestified；
butshewasresolvedtothrowherselfintothebreach，iftherewasanylonguntowardpause，ratherthanthatherfather'sfriend，pupil，andguestshouldhavecausetothinkhimselfinanywayneglected。Buttheconversationwenton；andMargaretdrewintoacorner，nearhermother，withherwork，afterthetea-thingsweretakenaway；andfeltthatshemightletherthoughtsroam，withoutfearofbeingsuddenlywantedtofillupagap。Mr。ThorntonandMr。Halewerebothabsorbedinthecontinuationofsomesubjectwhichhadbeenstartedattheirlastmeeting。Margaretwasrecalledtoasenseofthepresentbysometrivial，low-spokenremarkofhermother's；
andonsuddenlylookingupfromherwork，hereyewascaughtbythedifferenceofoutwardappearancebetweenherfatherandMr。Thornton，asbetokeningsuchdistinctlyoppositenatures。Herfatherwasofslightfigure，whichmadehimappeartallerthanhereallywas，whennotcontrasted，asatthistime，withthetall，massiveframeofanother。Thelinesinherfather'sfaceweresoftandwaving，withafrequentundulatingkindoftremblingmovementpassingoverthem，showingeveryfluctuatingemotion；theeyelidswerelargeandarched，givingtotheeyesapeculiarlanguidbeautywhichwasalmostfeminine。Thebrowswerefinelyarched，butwere，bytheverysizeofthedreamylids，raisedtoaconsiderabledistancefromtheeyes。
Now，inMr。Thornton'sfacethestraightbrowsfelllowovertheclear，deep-setearnesteyes，which，withoutbeingunpleasantlysharp，seemedintentenoughtopenetrateintotheveryheartandcoreofwhathewaslookingat。Thelinesinthefacewerefewbutfirm，asiftheywerecarvedinmarble，andlayprincipallyaboutthelips，whichwereslightlycompressedoverasetofteethsofaultlessandbeautifulastogivetheeffectofsuddensunlightwhentherarebrightsmile，cominginaninstantandshiningoutoftheeyes，changedthewholelookfromthesevereandresolvedexpressionofamanreadytodoanddareeverything，tothekeenhonestenjoymentofthemoment，whichisseldomshownsofearlesslyandinstantaneouslyexceptbychildren。Margaretlikedthissmile；itwasthefirstthingshehadadmiredinthisnewfriendofherfather's；andtheoppositionofcharacter，showninallthesedetailsofappearanceshehadjustbeennoticing，seemedtoexplaintheattractiontheyevidentlyfelttowardseachother。Sherearrangedhermother'sworsted-work，andfellbackintoherownthoughts——ascompletelyforgottenbyMr。Thorntonasifshehadnotbeenintheroom，sothoroughlywasheoccupiedinexplainingtoMr。Halethemagnificentpower，yetdelicateadjustmentofthemightofthesteam-hammer，whichwasrecallingtoMr。HalesomeofthewonderfulstoriesofsubservientgeniiintheArabianNights——onemomentstretchingfromearthtoskyandfillingallthewidthofthehorizon，atthenextobedientlycompressedintoavasesmallenoughtobeborneinthehandofachild。'Andthisimaginationofpower，thispracticalrealisationofagiganticthought，cameoutofoneman'sbraininourgoodtown。Thatverymanhasitwithinhimtomount，stepbystep，oneachwonderheachievestohighermarvelsstill。AndI'llbeboundtosay，wehavemanyamonguswho，ifheweregone，couldspringintothebreachandcarryonthewarwhichcompels，andshallcompel，allmaterialpowertoyieldtoscience。''Yourboastremindsmeoftheoldlines——“I'veahundredcaptainsinEngland，“hesaid，“Asgoodaseverwashe。”'Atherfather'squotationMargaretlookedsuddenlyup，withinquiringwonderinhereyes。Howintheworldhadtheygotfromcog-wheelstoChevyChace?'Itisnoboastofmine，'repliedMr。Thornton；'itisplainmatter-of-fact。
Iwon'tdenythatIamproudofbelongingtoatown——orperhapsIshouldrathersayadistrict——thenecessitiesofwhichgivebirthtosuchgrandeurofconception。Iwouldratherbeamantoiling，suffering——nay，failingandsuccessless——here，thanleadadullprosperouslifeintheoldworngroovesofwhatyoucallmorearistocraticsocietydownintheSouth，withtheirslowdaysofcarelessease。Onemaybecloggedwithhoneyandunabletoriseandfly。''Youaremistaken，'saidMargaret，rousedbytheaspersiononherbelovedSouthtoafondvehemenceofdefence，thatbroughtthecolourintohercheeksandtheangrytearsintohereyes。'YoudonotknowanythingabouttheSouth。Ifthereislessadventureorlessprogress——IsupposeImustnotsaylessexcitement——fromthegamblingspiritoftrade，whichseemsrequisitetoforceoutthesewonderfulinventions，thereislesssufferingalso。Iseemenheregoingaboutinthestreetswholookgrounddownbysomepinchingsorroworcare——whoarenotonlysufferersbuthaters。Now，intheSouthwehaveourpoor，butthereisnotthatterribleexpressionintheircountenancesofasullensenseofinjusticewhichIseehere。
YoudonotknowtheSouth，Mr。Thornton，'sheconcluded，collapsingintoadeterminedsilence，andangrywithherselfforhavingsaidsomuch。'AndmayIsayyoudonotknowtheNorth?'askedhe，withaninexpressiblegentlenessinhistone，ashesawthathehadreallyhurther。Shecontinuedresolutelysilent；yearningafterthelovelyhauntsshehadleftfarawayinHampshire，withapassionatelongingthatmadeherfeelhervoicewouldbeunsteadyandtremblingifshespoke。'Atanyrate，Mr。Thornton，'saidMrs。Hale，'youwillallowthatMiltonisamuchmoresmoky，dirtytownthanyouwillevermeetwithintheSouth。''I'mafraidImustgiveupitscleanliness，'saidMr。Thornton，withthequickgleamingsmile。'Butwearebiddenbyparliamenttoburnourownsmoke；soIsuppose，likegoodlittlechildren，weshalldoaswearebid——sometime。''ButIthinkyoutoldmeyouhadalteredyourchimneyssoastoconsumethesmoke，didyounot?'askedMr。Hale。'Minewerealteredbymyownwill，beforeparliamentmeddledwiththeaffair。
Itwasanimmediateoutlay，butitrepaysmeinthesavingofcoal。I'mnotsurewhetherIshouldhavedoneit，ifIhadwaiteduntiltheactwaspassed。Atanyrate，Ishouldhavewaitedtobeinformedagainstandfined，andgivenallthetroubleinyieldingthatIlegallycould。Butalllawswhichdependfortheirenforcementuponinformersandfines，becomeinertfromtheodiousnessofthemachinery。IdoubtiftherehasbeenachimneyinMiltoninformedagainstforfiveyearspast，althoughsomeareconstantlysendingoutone-thirdoftheircoalinwhatiscalledhereunparliamentarysmoke。''Ionlyknowitisimpossibletokeepthemuslinblindscleanhereaboveaweektogether；andatHelstonewehavehadthemupforamonthormore，andtheyhavenotlookeddirtyattheendofthattime。Andasforhands——Margaret，howmanytimesdidyousayyouhadwashedyourhandsthismorningbeforetwelveo'clock?Threetimes，wasitnot?''Yes，mamma。''YouseemtohaveastrongobjectiontoactsofparliamentandalllegislationaffectingyourmodeofmanagementdownhereatMilton，'saidMr。Hale。'Yes，Ihave；andmanyothershaveaswell。Andwithjustice，Ithink。
Thewholemachinery——Idon'tmeanthewoodandironmachinerynow——ofthecottontradeissonewthatitisnowonderifitdoesnotworkwellineverypartallatonce。Seventyyearsagowhatwasit?Andnowwhatisitnot?Raw，crudematerialscametogether；menofthesamelevel，asregardededucationandstation，tooksuddenlythedifferentpositionsofmastersandmen，owingtothemotherwit，asregardedopportunitiesandprobabilities，whichdistinguishedsome，andmadethemfar-seeingastowhatgreatfuturelayconcealedinthatrudemodelofSirRichardArkwright's。Therapiddevelopmentofwhatmightbecalledanewtrade，gavethoseearlymastersenormouspowerofwealthandcommand。Idon'tmeanmerelyovertheworkmen；
Imeanoverpurchasers——overthewholeworld'smarket。Why，Imaygiveyou，asaninstance，anadvertisement，insertednotfiftyyearsagoinaMiltonpaper，thatso-and-so(oneofthehalf-dozencalico-printersofthetime)wouldclosehiswarehouseatnooneachday；therefore，thatallpurchasersmustcomebeforethathour。Fancyamandictatinginthismannerthetimewhenhewouldsellandwhenhewouldnotsell。Now，Ibelieve，ifagoodcustomerchosetocomeatmidnight，Ishouldgetup，andstandhatinhandtoreceivehisorders。'Margaret'slipcurled，butsomehowshewascompelledtolisten；shecouldnolongerabstractherselfinherownthoughts。'Ionlynamesuchthingstoshowwhatalmostunlimitedpowerthemanufacturershadaboutthebeginningofthiscentury。Themenwererendereddizzybyit。Becauseamanwassuccessfulinhisventures，therewasnoreasonthatinallotherthingshismindshouldbewell-balanced。OntheContrary，hissenseofjustice，andhissimplicity，wereoftenutterlysmotheredundertheglutofwealththatcamedownuponhim；andtheytellstrangetalesofthewildextravaganceoflivingindulgedinongala-daysbythoseearlycotton-lords。Therecanbenodoubt，too，ofthetyrannytheyexercisedovertheirwork-people。Youknowtheproverb，Mr。Hale，“Setabeggaronhorseback，andhe'llridetothedevil，“——well，someoftheseearlymanufacturersdidridetothedevilinamagnificentstyle——crushinghumanboneandfleshundertheirhorses'hoofswithoutremorse。Butby-and-bycameare-action，thereweremorefactories，moremasters；moremenwerewanted。Thepowerofmastersandmenbecamemoreevenlybalanced；andnowthebattleisprettyfairlywagedbetweenus。Wewillhardlysubmittothedecisionofanumpire，muchlesstotheinterferenceofameddlerwithonlyasmatteringoftheknowledgeoftherealfactsofthecase，eventhoughthatmeddlerbecalledtheHighCourtofParliament。'Istherenecessityforcallingitabattlebetweenthetwoclasses?'askedMr。Hale。'Iknow，fromyourusingtheterm，itisonewhichgivesatrueideaoftherealstateofthingstoyourmind。''Itistrue；andIbelieveittobeasmuchanecessityasthatprudentwisdomandgoodconductarealwaysopposedto，anddoingbattlewithignoranceandimprovidence。Itisoneofthegreatbeautiesofoursystem，thataworking-manmayraisehimselfintothepowerandpositionofamasterbyhisownexertionsandbehaviour；that，infact，everyonewhoruleshimselftodecencyandsobrietyofconduct，andattentiontohisduties，comesovertoourranks；itmaynotbealwaysasamaster，butasanover-looker，acashier，abook-keeper，aclerk，oneonthesideofauthorityandorder。''Youconsiderallwhoareunsuccessfulinraisingthemselvesintheworld，fromwhatevercause，asyourenemies，then，ifIunder-standyourightly，'
saidMargaret'inaclear，coldvoice。'Astheirownenemies，certainly，'saidhe，quickly，notalittlepiquedbythehaughtydisapprovalherformofexpressionandtoneofspeakingimplied。But，inamoment，hisstraightforwardhonestymadehimfeelthathiswordswerebutapoorandquibblinganswertowhatshehadsaid；and，besheasscornfulassheliked，itwasadutyheowedtohimselftoexplain，astrulyashecould，whathedidmean。Yetitwasverydifficulttoseparateherinterpretation，andkeepitdistinctfromhismeaning。Hecouldbesthaveillustratedwhathewantedtosaybytellingthemsomethingofhisownlife；butwasitnottoopersonalasubjecttospeakabouttostrangers?Still，itwasthesimplestraightforwardwayofexplaininghismeaning；
so，puttingasidethetouchofshynessthatbroughtamomentaryflushofcolourintohisdarkcheek，hesaid:'Iamnotspeakingwithoutbook。Sixteenyearsago，myfatherdiedunderverymiserablecircumstances。Iwastakenfromschool，andhadtobecomeaman(aswellasIcould)inafewdays。Ihadsuchamotherasfewareblestwith；awomanofstrongpower，andfirmresolve。Wewentintoasmallcountrytown，wherelivingwascheaperthaninMilton，andwhereIgotemploymentinadraper'sshop(acapitalplace，bytheway，forobtainingaknowledgeofgoods)。Weekbyweekourincomecametofifteenshillings，outofwhichthreepeoplehadtobekept。MymothermanagedsothatIputbythreeoutofthesefifteenshillingsregularly。Thismadethebeginning；
thistaughtmeself-denial。NowthatIamabletoaffordmymothersuchcomfortsasherage，ratherthanherownwish，requires，Ithankhersilentlyoneachoccasionfortheearlytrainingshegaveme。NowwhenIfeelthatinmyowncaseitisnogoodluck，normerit，nortalent，——butsimplythehabitsoflifewhichtaughtmetodespiseindulgencesnotthoroughlyearned，——indeed，nevertothinktwiceaboutthem，——Ibelievethatthissuffering，whichMissHalesaysisimpressedonthecountenancesofthepeopleofMilton，isbutthenaturalpunishmentofdishonestly-enjoyedpleasure，atsomeformerperiodoftheirlives。Idonotlookonself-indulgent，sensualpeopleasworthyofmyhatred；Isimplylookuponthemwithcontemptfortheirpoornessofcharacter。''Butyouhavehadtherudimentsofagoodeducation，'remarkedMr。Hale。
'ThequickzestwithwhichyouarenowreadingHomer，showsmethatyoudonotcometoitasanunknownbook；youhavereaditbefore，andareonlyrecallingyouroldknowledge。''Thatistrue，——Ihadblunderedalongitatschool；Idaresay，Iwasevenconsideredaprettyfairclassicinthosedays，thoughmyLatinandGreekhavesliptawayfrommesince。ButIaskyou，whatpreparationtheywereforsuchalifeasIhadtolead?Noneatall。Utterlynoneatall。Onthepointofeducation，anymanwhocanreadandwritestartsfairwithmeintheamountofreallyusefulknowledgethatIhadatthattime。''Well！Idon'tagreewithyou。ButthereIamperhapssomewhatofapedant。
DidnottherecollectionoftheheroicsimplicityoftheHomericlifenerveyouup?''Notonebit！'exclaimedMr。Thornton，laughing。'Iwastoobusytothinkaboutanydeadpeople，withthelivingpressingalongsideofme，necktoneck，inthestruggleforbread。NowthatIhavemymothersafeinthequietpeacethatbecomesherage，anddulyrewardsherformerexertions，Icanturntoallthatoldnarrationandthoroughlyenjoyit。''Idaresay，myremarkcamefromtheprofessionalfeelingoftherebeingnothinglikeleather，'repliedMr。Hale。WhenMr。Thorntonroseuptogoaway，aftershakinghandswithMr。andMrs。Hale，hemadeanadvancetoMargarettowishhergood-byeinasimilarmanner。Itwasthefrankfamiliarcustomoftheplace；butMargaretwasnotpreparedforit。Shesimplybowedherfarewell；althoughtheinstantshesawthehand，halfputout，quicklydrawnback，shewassorryshehadnotbeenawareoftheintention。Mr。Thornton，however，knewnothingofhersorrow，and，drawinghimselfuptohisfullheight，walkedoff，mutteringasheleftthehouse——'Amoreproud，disagreeablegirlIneversaw。Evenhergreatbeautyisblottedoutofone'smemorybyherscornfulways。'
chapter11CHAPTERXIFIRSTIMPRESSIONS'There'siron，theysay，inallourblood，Andagrainortwoperhapsisgood；Buthis，hemakesmeharshlyfeel，Hasgotalittletoomuchofsteel。'ANON。'Margaret！'saidMr。Hale，ashereturnedfromshowinghisguestdownstairs；
'Icouldnothelpwatchingyourfacewithsomeanxiety，whenMr。Thorntonmadehisconfessionofhavingbeenashop-boy。IknewitallalongfromMr。Bell；soIwasawareofwhatwascoming；butIhalfexpectedtoseeyougetupandleavetheroom。''Oh，papa！youdon'tmeanthatyouthoughtmesosilly?Ireallylikedthataccountofhimselfbetterthananythingelsehesaid。Everythingelserevoltedme，fromitshardness；buthespokeabouthimselfsosimply——withsolittleofthepretencethatmakesthevulgarityofshop-people，andwithsuchtenderrespectforhismother，thatIwaslesslikelytoleavetheroomthenthanwhenhewasboastingaboutMilton，asiftherewasnotsuchanotherplaceintheworld；orquietlyprofessingtodespisepeopleforcareless，wastefulimprovidence，withouteverseemingtothinkithisdutytotrytomakethemdifferent，——togivethemanythingofthetrainingwhichhismothergavehim，andtowhichheevidentlyoweshisposition，whateverthatmaybe。No！hisstatementofhavingbeenashop-boywasthethingIlikedbestofall。''Iamsurprisedatyou，Margaret，'saidhermother。'YouwhowerealwaysaccusingpeopleofbeingshoppyatHelstone！Idon'tIthink，Mr。Hale，youhavedonequiterightinintroducingsuchapersontouswithouttellinguswhathehadbeen。IreallywasverymuchafraidofshowinghimhowmuchshockedIwasatsomepartsofwhathesaid。Hisfather“dyinginmiserablecircumstances。”Whyitmighthavebeenintheworkhouse。''Iamnotsureifitwasnotworsethanbeingintheworkhouse，'repliedherhusband。'IheardagooddealofhispreviouslifefromMr。Bellbeforewecamehere；andashehastoldyouapart，Iwillfillupwhatheleftout。Hisfatherspeculatedwildly，failed，andthenkilledhimself，becausehecouldnotbearthedisgrace。Allhisformerfriendsshrunkfromthedisclosuresthathadtobemadeofhisdishonestgambling——wild，hopelessstruggles，madewithotherpeople'smoney，toregainhisownmoderateportionofwealth。Noonecameforwardstohelpthemotherandthisboy。Therewasanotherchild，Ibelieve，agirl；tooyoungtoearnmoney，butofcourseshehadtobekept。Atleast，nofriendcameforwardsimmediately，andMrs。Thorntonisnotone，Ifancy，towaittilltardykindnesscomestofindherout。SotheyleftMilton。Iknewhehadgoneintoashop，andthathisearnings，withsomefragmentofpropertysecuredtohismother，hadbeenmadetokeepthemforalongtime。Mr。Bellsaidtheyabsolutelyliveduponwater-porridgeforyears——how，hedidnotknow；butlongafterthecreditorshadgivenuphopeofanypaymentofoldMr。Thornton'sdebts(if，indeed，theyeverhadhopedatallaboutit，afterhissuicide，)thisyoungmanreturnedtoMilton，andwentquietlyroundtoeachcreditor，payinghimthefirstinstalmentofthemoneyowingtohim。Nonoise——nogatheringtogetherofcreditors——itwasdoneverysilentlyandquietly，butallwaspaidatlast；helpedonmateriallybythecircumstanceofoneofthecreditors，acrabbedoldfellow(Mr。Bellsays)，takinginMr。Thorntonasakindofpartner。''Thatreallyisfine，'saidMargaret。'WhatapitysuchanatureshouldbetaintedbyhispositionasaMiltonmanufacturer。''Howtainted?'askedherfather。'Oh，papa，bythattestingeverythingbythestandardofwealth。Whenhespokeofthemechanicalpowers，heevidentlylookeduponthemonlyasnewwaysofextendingtradeandmakingmoney。Andthepoormenaroundhim——theywerepoorbecausetheywerevicious——outofthepaleofhissympathiesbecausetheyhadnothisironnature，andthecapabilitiesthatitgiveshimforbeingrich。''Notvicious；heneversaidthat。Improvidentandself-indulgentwerehiswords。'Margaretwascollectinghermother'sworkingmaterials，andpreparingtogotobed。Justasshewasleavingtheroom，shehesitated——shewasinclinedtomakeanacknowledgmentwhichshethoughtwouldpleaseherfather，butwhichtobefullandtruemustincludealittleannoyance。However，outitcame。'Papa，IdothinkMr。Thorntonaveryremarkableman；butpersonallyI
don'tlikehimatall。''AndIdo！'saidherfatherlaughing。'Personally，asyoucallit，andall。Idon'tsethimupforahero，oranythingofthatkind。Butgoodnight，child。Yourmotherlookssadlytiredto-night，Margaret。'Margarethadnoticedhermother'sjadedappearancewithanxietyforsometimepast，andthisremarkofherfather'ssentheruptobedwithadimfearlyinglikeaweightonherheart。ThelifeinMiltonwassodifferentfromwhatMrs。HalehadbeenaccustomedtoliveinHelstone，inandoutperpetuallyintothefreshandopenair；theairitselfwassodifferent，deprivedofallrevivifyingprincipleasitseemedtobehere；thedomesticworriespressedsoveryclosely，andinsonewandsordidaform，uponallthewomeninthefamily，thattherewasgoodreasontofearthathermother'shealthmightbebecomingseriouslyaffected。TherewereseveralothersignsofsomethingwrongaboutMrs。Hale。SheandDixonheldmysteriousconsultationsinherbedroom，fromwhichDixonwouldcomeoutcryingandcross，aswashercustomwhenanydistressofhermistresscalleduponhersympathy。OnceMargarethadgoneintothechambersoonafterDixonleftit，andfoundhermotheronherknees，andasMargaretstoleoutshecaughtafewwords，whichwereevidentlyaprayerforstrengthandpatiencetoendureseverebodilysuffering。Margaretyearnedtore-unitethebondofintimateconfidencewhichhadbeenbrokenbyherlongresidenceatherauntShaw's，andstrovebygentlecaressesandsoftenedwordstocreepintothewarmestplaceinhermother'sheart。Butthoughshereceivedcaressesandfondwordsbackagain，insuchprofusionaswouldhavegladdenedherformerly，yetshefeltthattherewasasecretwithheldfromher，andshebelieveditboreseriousreferencetohermother'shealth。Shelayawakeverylongthisnight，planninghowtolessentheevilinfluenceoftheirMiltonlifeonhermother。AservanttogiveDixonpermanentassistanceshouldbegot，ifshegaveupherwholetimetothesearch；andthen，atanyrate，hermothermighthaveallthepersonalattentionsherequired，andhadbeenaccustomedtoherwholelife。Visitingregisteroffices，seeingallmannerofunlikelypeople，andveryfewintheleastlikely，absorbedMargaret'stimeandthoughtsforseveraldays。OneafternoonshemetBessyHigginsinthestreet，andstoppedtospeaktoher。'Well，Bessy，howareyou?Better，Ihope，nowthewindhaschanged。''Betterandnotbetter，ifyo'knowwhatthatmeans。''Notexactly，'repliedMargaret，smiling。'I'mbetterinnotbeingtorntopiecesbycoughingo'nights，butI'mwearyandtiredo'Milton，andlongingtogetawaytothelando'Beulah；andwhenIthinkI'mfartherandfartheroff，myheartsinks，andI'mnobetter；
I'mworse。'Margaretturnedroundtowalkalongsideofthegirlinherfeebleprogresshomeward。Butforaminuteortwoshedidnotspeak。Atlastshesaidinalowvoice，'Bessy，doyouwishtodie?'Forsheshrankfromdeathherself，withalltheclingingtolifesonaturaltotheyoungandhealthy。Bessywassilentinherturnforaminuteortwo。Thenshereplied，'Ifyo'dledthelifeIhave，andgettenaswearyofitasIhave，andthoughtattimes，“maybeit'lllastforfiftyorsixtyyears——itdoeswi'
some，“——andgotdizzyanddazed，andsick，aseachofthemsixtyyearsseemedtospinaboutme，andmockmewithitslengthofhoursandminutes，andendlessbitso'time——oh，wench！Itelltheethou'dbeengladenoughwhenth'doctorsaidhefearedthou'dneverseeanotherwinter。''Why，Bessy，whatkindofalifehasyoursbeen?''Noughtworsethanmanyothers，Ireckon。OnlyIfrettedagainit，andtheydidn't。''Butwhatwasit?Youknow，I'mastrangerhere，soperhapsI'mnotsoquickatunderstandingwhatyoumeanasifI'dlivedallmylifeatMilton。''Ifyo'dha'cometoourhousewhenyo'saidyo'would，Icouldmaybeha'
toldyou。Butfathersaysyo'rejustliketh'reston'em；it'souto'
sightouto'mindwi'you。''Idon'tknowwhotherestare；andI'vebeenverybusy；and，totellthetruth，Ihadforgottenmypromise——''Yo'offeredit！weaskednoneofit。''IhadforgottenwhatIsaidforthetime，'continuedMargaretquietly。
'IshouldhavethoughtofitagainwhenIwaslessbusy。MayIgowithyounow?'BessygaveaquickglanceatMargaret'sface，toseeifthewishexpressedwasreallyfelt。ThesharpnessinhereyeturnedtoawistfullongingasshemetMargaret'ssoftandfriendlygaze。'Iha'nonesomanytocareforme；ifyo'careyo'maycome。Sotheywalkedontogetherinsilence。Astheyturnedupintoasmallcourt，openingoutofasqualidstreet，Bessysaid，'Yo'llnotbedauntediffather'sathome，andspeaksabitgruffishatfirst。Hetookamindtoye，yo'see，andhethoughtadealo'yourcomingtoseeus；andjustbecausehelikedyo'hewerevexedandputabout。''Don'tfear，Bessy。'ButNicholaswasnotathomewhentheyentered。Agreatslatternlygirl，notsooldasBessy，buttallerandstronger，wasbusyatthewash-tub，knockingaboutthefurnitureinaroughcapableway，butaltogethermakingsomuchnoisethatMargaretshrunk，outofsympathywithpoorBessy，whohadsatdownonthefirstchair，asifcompletelytiredoutwithherwalk。
Margaretaskedthesisterforacupofwater，andwhilesherantofetchit(knockingdownthefire-irons，andtumblingoverachairinherway)，sheunloosedBessy'sbonnetstrings，torelievehercatchingbreath。'Doyouthinksuchlifeasthisisworthcaringfor?'gaspedBessy，atlast。Margaretdidnotspeak，butheldthewatertoherlips。Bessytookalongandfeverishdraught，andthenfellbackandshuthereyes。Margaretheardhermurmurtoherself:'Theyshallhungernomore，neitherthirstanymore；neithershallthesunlightonthem，noranyheat。'Margaretbentoverandsaid，'Bessy，don'tbeimpatientwithyourlife，whateveritis——ormayhavebeen。Rememberwhogaveityou，andmadeitwhatitis！'ShewasstartledbyhearingNicholasspeakbehindher；hehadcomeinwithouthernoticinghim。'Now，I'llnothavemywenchpreachedto。She'sbadenoughasitis，withherdreamsandhermethodeefancies，andhervisionsofcitieswithgouldengatesandpreciousstones。ButifitamusesherIletitabe，butI'mnonegoingtohavemorestuffpouredintoher。''Butsurely，'saidMargaret，facinground，'youbelieveinwhatIsaid，thatGodgaveherlife，andorderedwhatkindoflifeitwastobe?''IbelievewhatIsee，andnomore。That'swhatIbelieve，youngwoman。
Idon'tbelieveallIhear——no！notbyabigdeal。Ididhearayounglassmakeanadoaboutknowingwherewelived，andcomingtoseeus。Andmywenchherethoughtadealaboutit，andflushedupmanyatime，whenhoolittleknewasIwaslookingather，atthesoundofastrangestep。Buthoo'scomeatlast，——andhoo'swelcome，aslongashoo'llkeepfrompreachingonwhathooknowsnoughtabout。'BessyhadbeenwatchingMargaret'sface；shehalfsateuptospeaknow，layingherhandonMargaret'sarmwithagestureofentreaty。'Don'tbevexedwi'him——there'smanyaonethinkslikehim；manyandmanyaonehere。Ifyo'couldhearthemspeak，yo'dnotbeshockedathim；he'sararegoodman，isfather——butoh！'saidshe，fallingbackindespair，'whathesaysattimesmakesmelongtodiemorethanever，forIwanttoknowsomanythings，andamsotossedaboutwi'wonder。''Poorwench——pooroldwench，——I'mlothtovexthee，Iam；butamanmunspeakoutforthetruth，andwhenIseetheworldgoingallwrongatthistimeo'day，botheringitselfwi'thingsitknowsnoughtabout，andleavingundoneallthethingsthatlieindisordercloseatitshand——why，Isay，leavea'thistalkaboutreligionalone，andsettoworkonwhatyo'seeandknow。That'smycreed。It'ssimple，andnotfartofetch，norhardtowork。'ButthegirlonlypleadedthemorewithMargaret。'Don'tthinkhardlyonhim——he'sagoodman，heis。IsometimesthinkI
shallbemopedwi'sorrowevenintheCityofGod，iffatherisnotthere。'
Thefeverishcolourcameintohercheek，andthefeverishflameintohereye。'Butyouwillbethere，father！youshall！Oh！myheart！'Sheputherhandtoit，andbecameghastlypale。Margaretheldherinherarms，andputthewearyheadtorestuponherbosom。Sheliftedthethinsofthairfromoffthetemples，andbathedthemwithwater。Nicholasunderstoodallhersignsfordifferentarticleswiththequicknessoflove，andeventheround-eyedsistermovedwithlaboriousgentlenessatMargaret's'hush！'Presentlythespasmthatforeshadoweddeathhadpassedaway，andBessyrousedherselfandsaid，——'I'llgotobed，——it'sbestplace；but，'catchingatMargaret'sgown，'yo'llcomeagain，——Iknowyo'will——butjustsayit！''Iwillcometo-morrow，saidMargaret。Bessyleantbackagainstherfather，whopreparedtocarryherupstairs；
butasMargaretrosetogo，hestruggledtosaysomething:'IcouldwishtherewereaGod，ifitwereonlytoaskHimtoblessthee。'Margaretwentawayverysadandthoughtful。Shewaslateforteaathome。AtHelstoneunpunctualityatmeal-timeswasagreatfaultinhermother'seyes；butnowthis，aswellasmanyotherlittleirregularities，seemedtohavelosttheirpowerofirritation，andMargaretalmostlongedfortheoldcomplainings。'Haveyoumetwithaservant，dear?''No，mamma；thatAnneBuckleywouldneverhavedone。''SupposeItry，'saidMr。Hale。'Everybodyelsehashadtheirturnatthisgreatdifficulty。Nowletmetry。ImaybetheCinderellatoputontheslipperafterall。'Margaretcouldhardlysmileatthislittlejoke，sooppressedwasshebyhervisittotheHigginses。'Whatwouldyoudo，papa?Howwouldyousetaboutit?''Why，Iwouldapplytosomegoodhouse-mothertorecommendmeoneknowntoherselforherservants。''Verygood。Butwemustfirstcatchourhouse-mother。''Youhavecaughther。Orrathersheiscomingintothesnare，andyouwillcatchherto-morrow，ifyou'reskilful。''Whatdoyoumean，Mr。Hale?'askedhiswife，hercuriosityaroused。'Why，myparagonpupil(asMargaretcallshim)，hastoldmethathismotherintendstocallonMrs。andMissHaleto-morrow。''Mrs。Thornton！'exclaimedMrs。Hale。'Themotherofwhomhespoketous?'saidMargaret。'Mrs。Thornton；theonlymotherhehas，Ibelieve，'saidMr。Halequietly。'Ishallliketoseeher。Shemustbeanuncommonperson，hermotheradded。
'Perhapsshemayhavearelationwhomightsuitus，andbegladofourplace。Shesoundedtobesuchacarefuleconomicalperson，thatIshouldlikeanyoneoutofthesamefamily。''Mydear，'saidMr。Halealarmed。'Praydon'tgooffonthatidea。IfancyMrs。Thorntonisashaughtyandproudinherway，asourlittleMargarethereisinhers，andthatshecompletelyignoresthatoldtimeoftrial，andpoverty，andeconomy，ofwhichhespeakssoopenly。Iamsure，atanyrate，shewouldnotlikestrangerstoknowanythingaboutIt。''Takenoticethatisnotmykindofhaughtiness，papa，ifIhaveanyatall；whichIdon'tagreeto，thoughyou'realwaysaccusingmeofit。''Idon'tknowpositivelythatitisherseither；butfromlittlethingsIhavegatheredfromhim，Ifancyso。'Theycaredtoolittletoaskinwhatmannerhersonhadspokenabouther。
Margaretonlywantedtoknowifshemuststayintoreceivethiscall，asitwouldpreventhergoingtoseehowBessywas，untillateintheday，sincetheearlymorningwasalwaysoccupiedinhouseholdaffairs；andthensherecollectedthathermothermustnotbelefttohavethewholeweightofentertaininghervisitor。
chapter12CHAPTERXIIMORNINGCALLS'Well——Isupposewemust。'FRIENDSINCOUNCIL。Mr。Thorntonhadhadsomedifficultyinworkinguphismothertothedesiredpointofcivility。Shedidnotoftenmakecalls；andwhenshedid，itwasinheavystatethatshewentthroughherduties。Hersonhadgivenheracarriage；butsherefusedtolethimkeephorsesforit；theywerehiredforthesolemnoccasions，whenshepaidmorningoreveningvisits。Shehadhadhorsesforthreedays，notafortnightbefore，andhadcomfortably'killedoff'allheracquaintances，whomightnowputthemselvestotroubleandexpenseintheirturn。YetCramptonwastoofaroffforhertowalk；
andshehadrepeatedlyquestionedhersonastowhetherhiswishthatsheshouldcallontheHaleswasstrongenoughtobeartheexpenseofcab-hire。
Shewouldhavebeenthankfulifithadnot；for，asshesaid，'shesawnouseinmakingupfriendshipsandintimacieswithalltheteachersandmastersinMilton；why，hewouldbewantinghertocallonFanny'sdancing-master'swife，thenextthing！''AndsoIwould，mother，ifMr。Masonandhiswifewerefriendlessinastrangeplace，liketheHales。''Oh！youneednotspeaksohastily。Iamgoingto-morrow。Ionlywantedyouexactlytounderstandaboutit。''Ifyouaregoingto-morrow，Ishallorderhorses。''Nonsense，John。Onewouldthinkyouweremadeofmoney。''Notquite，yet。ButaboutthehorsesI'mdetermined。Thelasttimeyouwereoutinacab，youcamehomewithaheadachefromthejolting。''Inevercomplainedofit，I'msure。''No。Mymotherisnotgiventocomplaints，'saidhe，alittleproudly。
'ButsomuchthemoreIhavetowatchoveryou。NowasforFannythere，alittlehardshipwoulddohergood。''Sheisnotmadeofthesamestuffasyouare，John。Shecouldnotbearit。'Mrs。Thorntonwassilentafterthis；forherlastwordsborerelationtoasubjectwhichmortifiedher。Shehadanunconsciouscontemptforaweakcharacter；andFannywasweakintheverypointsinwhichhermotherandbrotherwerestrong。Mrs。Thorntonwasnotawomanmuchgiventoreasoning；
herquickjudgmentandfirmresolutionservedheringoodsteadofanylongargumentsanddiscussionswithherself；shefeltinstinctivelythatnothingcouldstrengthenFannytoendurehardshipspatiently，orfacedifficultiesbravely；andthoughshewincedasshemadethisacknowledgmenttoherselfaboutherdaughter，itonlygaveherakindofpityingtendernessofmannertowardsher；muchofthesamedescriptionofdemeanourwithwhichmothersarewonttotreattheirweakandsicklychildren。Astranger，acarelessobservermighthaveconsideredthatMrs。Thornton'smannertoherchildrenbetokenedfarmorelovetoFannythantoJohn。Butsuchaonewouldhavebeendeeplymistaken。Theverydaringnesswithwhichmotherandsonspokeoutunpalatabletruths，theonetotheother，showedarelianceonthefirmcentreofeachother'ssouls，whichtheuneasytendernessofMrs。
Thornton'smannertoherdaughter，theshamewithwhichshethoughttohidethepovertyofherchildinallthegrandqualitieswhichsheherselfpossessedunconsciously，andwhichshesetsohighavalueuponinothers——thisshame，Isay，betrayedthewantofasecureresting-placeforheraffection。
ShenevercalledhersonbyanynamebutJohn；'love，'and'dear，'andsuchliketerms，werereservedforFanny。Butherheartgavethanksforhimdayandnight；andshewalkedproudlyamongwomenforhissake。'FannydearIshallhavehorsestothecarriageto-day，togoandcallontheseHales。Shouldnotyougoandseenurse?It'sinthesamedirection，andshe'salwayssogladtoseeyou。YoucouldgoontherewhileIamatMrs。Hale's。''Oh！mamma，it'ssuchalongway，andIamsotired。''Withwhat?'askedMrs。Thornton，herbrowslightlycontracting。'Idon'tknow——theweather，Ithink。Itissorelaxing。Couldn'tyoubringnursehere，mamma?Thecarriagecouldfetchher，andshecouldspendtherestofthedayhere，whichIknowshewouldlike。'Mrs。Thorntondidnotspeak；butshelaidherworkonthetable，andseemedtothink。'Itwillbealongwayforhertowalkbackatnight！'sheremarked，atlast。'Oh，butIwillsendherhomeinacab。Ineverthoughtofherwalking。'Atthispoint，Mr。Thorntoncamein，justbeforegoingtothemill。'Mother！Ineedhardlysay，thatifthereisanylittlethingthatcouldserveMrs。Haleasaninvalid，youwillofferit，I'msure。''IfIcanfinditout，Iwill。ButIhaveneverbeenillmyself，soIamnotmuchuptoinvalids'fancies。''Well！hereisFannythen，whoisseldomwithoutanailment。Shewillbeabletosuggestsomething，perhaps——won'tyou，Fan?''Ihavenotalwaysanailment，'saidFanny，pettishly；'andIamnotgoingwithmamma。Ihaveaheadacheto-day，andIshan'tgoout。'Mr。Thorntonlookedannoyed。Hismother'seyeswerebentonherwork，atwhichshewasnowstitchingawaybusily。'Fanny！Iwishyoutogo，'saidhe，authoritatively。'Itwilldoyougood，insteadofharm。Youwillobligemebygoing，withoutmysayinganythingmoreaboutit。'Hewentabruptlyoutoftheroomaftersayingthis。Ifhehadstaidaminutelonger，Fannywouldhavecriedathistoneofcommand，evenwhenheusedthewords，'Youwillobligeme。'Asitwas，shegrumbled。'JohnalwaysspeaksasifIfanciedIwasill，andIamsureIneverdofancyanysuchthing。WhoaretheseHalesthathemakessuchafussabout?''Fanny，don'tspeaksoofyourbrother。Hehasgoodreasonsofsomekindorother，orhewouldnotwishustogo。Makehasteandputyourthingson。'ButthelittlealtercationbetweenhersonandherdaughterdidnotinclineMrs。Thorntonmorefavourablytowards'theseHales。'Herjealousheartrepeatedherdaughter'squestion，'Whoarethey，thatheissoanxiousweshouldpaythemallthisattention?'Itcameuplikeaburdentoasong，longafterFannyhadforgottenallaboutitinthepleasantexcitementofseeingtheeffectofanewbonnetinthelooking-glass。Mrs。Thorntonwasshy。Itwasonlyoflateyearsthatshehadhadleisureenoughinherlifetogointosociety；andassocietyshedidnotenjoyit。Asdinner-giving，andascriticisingotherpeople'sdinners，shetooksatisfactioninit。Butthisgoingtomakeacquaintancewithstrangerswasaverydifferentthing。Shewasillatease，andlookedmorethanusuallysternandforbiddingassheenteredtheHales'littledrawing-room。MargaretwasbusyembroideringasmallpieceofcambricforsomelittlearticleofdressforEdith'sexpectedbaby——'Flimsy，uselesswork，'asMrs。Thorntonobservedtoherself。ShelikedMrs。Hale'sdoubleknittingfarbetter；thatwassensibleofitskind。Theroomaltogetherwasfullofknick-knacks，whichmusttakealongtimetodust；andtimetopeopleoflimitedincomewasmoney。ShemadeallthesereflectionsasshewastalkinginherstatelywaytoMrs。Hale，andutteringallthestereotypedcommonplacesthatmostpeoplecanfindtosaywiththeirsensesblindfolded。Mrs。Halewasmakingrathermoreexertioninheranswers，captivatedbysomerealoldlacewhichMrs。
Thorntonwore；'lace，'assheafterwardsobservedtoDixon，'ofthatoldEnglishpointwhichhasnotbeenmadeforthisseventyyears，andwhichcannotbebought。Itmusthavebeenanheir-loom，andshowsthatshehadancestors。'Sotheowneroftheancestrallacebecameworthyofsomethingmorethanthelanguidexertiontobeagreeabletoavisitor，bywhichMrs。
Hale'seffortsatconversationwouldhavebeenotherwisebounded。Andpresently，Margaret，rackingherbraintotalktoFanny，heardhermotherandMrs。
Thorntonplungeintotheinterminablesubjectofservants。'Isupposeyouarenotmusical，'saidFanny，'asIseenopiano。''Iamfondofhearinggoodmusic；Icannotplaywellmyself；andpapaandmammadon'tcaremuchaboutit；sowesoldouroldpianowhenwecamehere。''Iwonderhowyoucanexistwithoutone。Italmostseemstomeanecessaryoflife。''Fifteenshillingsaweek，andthreesavedoutofthem！'thoughtMargarettoherself'Butshemusthavebeenveryyoung。Sheprobablyhasforgottenherownpersonalexperience。Butshemustknowofthosedays。'Margaret'smannerhadanextratingeofcoldnessinitwhenshenextspoke。'Youhavegoodconcertshere，Ibelieve。''Oh，yes！Delicious！Toocrowded，thatistheworst。Thedirectorsadmitsoindiscriminately。Butoneissuretohearthenewestmusicthere。I
alwayshavealargeordertogivetoJohnson's，thedayafteraconcert。''Doyoulikenewmusicsimplyforitsnewness，then?''Oh；oneknowsitisthefashioninLondon，orelsethesingerswouldnotbringitdownhere。YouhavebeeninLondon，ofcourse。''Yes，'saidMargaret，'Ihavelivedthereforseveralyears。''Oh！LondonandtheAlhambraarethetwoplacesIlongtosee！''LondonandtheAlhambra！''Yes！eversinceIreadtheTalesoftheAlhambra。Don'tyouknowthem?''Idon'tthinkIdo。Butsurely，itisaveryeasyjourneytoLondon。''Yes；butsomehow，'saidFanny，loweringhervoice，'mammahasneverbeentoLondonherself，andcan'tunderstandmylonging。SheisveryproudofMilton；dirty，smokyplace，asIfeelittobe。Ibelievesheadmiresitthemoreforthoseveryqualities。''IfithasbeenMrs。Thornton'shomeforsomeyears，Icanwellunderstandherlovingit，'saidMargaret，inherclearbell-likevoice。'Whatareyousayingaboutme，MissHale?MayIinquire?'Margarethadnotthewordsreadyforananswertothisquestion，whichtookheralittlebysurprise，soMissThorntonreplied:'Oh，mamma！weareonlytryingtoaccountforyourbeingsofondofMilton。''Thankyou，'saidMrs。Thornton。'IdonotfeelthatmyverynaturallikingfortheplacewhereIwasbornandbroughtup，——andwhichhassincebeenmyresidenceforsomeyears，requiresanyaccountingfor。'Margaretwasvexed。AsFannyhadputit，itdidseemasiftheyhadbeenimpertinentlydiscussingMrs。Thornton'sfeelings；butshealsoroseupagainstthatlady'smannerofshowingthatshewasoffended。Mrs。Thorntonwentonafteramoment'spause:'DoyouknowanythingofMilton，MissHale?Haveyouseenanyofourfactories?
ourmagnificentwarehouses?''No！'saidMargaret。'Ihavenotseenanythingofthatdescriptionasyet。Thenshefeltthat，byconcealingherutterindifferencetoallsuchplaces，shewashardlyspeakingwithtruth；soshewenton:'Idaresay，papawouldhavetakenmebeforenowifIhadcared。ButI
reallydonotfindmuchpleasureingoingovermanufactories。''Theyareverycuriousplaces，'saidMrs。Hale，'butthereissomuchnoiseanddirtalways。Irememberoncegoinginalilacsilktoseecandlesmade，andmygownwasutterlyruined。''Veryprobably，'saidMrs。Thornton，inashortdispleasedmanner。'Imerelythought，thatasstrangersnewlycometoresideinatownwhichhasrisentoeminenceinthecountry，fromthecharacterandprogressofitspeculiarbusiness，youmighthavecaredtovisitsomeoftheplaceswhereitiscarriedon；placesuniqueinthekingdom，Iaminformed。IfMissHalechangeshermindandcondescendstobecuriousastothemanufacturesofMilton，IcanonlysayIshallbegladtoprocureheradmissiontoprint-works，orreed-making，orthemoresimpleoperationsofspinningcarriedoninmyson'smill。Everyimprovementofmachineryis，Ibelieve，tobeseenthere，initshighestperfection。''Iamsogladyoudon'tlikemillsandmanufactories，andallthosekindofthings，'saidFanny，inahalf-whisper，assherosetoaccompanyhermother，whowastakingleaveofMrs。Halewithrustlingdignity。'IthinkIshouldliketoknowallaboutthem，ifIwereyou，'repliedMargaretquietly。'Fanny！'saidhermother，astheydroveaway，'wewillheciviltotheseHales:butdon'tformoneofyourhastyfriendshipswiththedaughter。
Shewilldoyounogood，Isee。Themotherlooksveryill，andseemsanice，quietkindofperson。''Idon'twanttoformanyfriendshipwithMissHale，mamma，'saidFanny，pouting。'IthoughtIwasdoingmydutybytalkingtoher，andtryingtoamuseher。''Well！atanyrateJohnmusthesatisfiednow。'
chapter13CHAPTERXIIIASOFTBREEZEINASULTRYPLACE'Thatdoubtandtrouble，fearandpain，Andanguish，all，areshadowsvain，Thatdeathitselfshallnotremain；Thatwearydesertswemaytread，Adrearylabyrinthmaythread，Thro'darkwaysundergroundbeled；Yet，ifwewilloneGuideobey，Thedreariestpath，thedarkestwayShallissueoutinheavenlyday；Andwe，ondiversshoresnowcast，Shallmeet，ourperilousvoyagepast，AllinourFather'shouseatlast！'R。C。TRENCH。Margaretflewupstairsassoonastheirvisitorsweregone，andputonherbonnetandshawl，torunandinquirehowBessyHigginswas，andsitwithheraslongasshecouldbeforedinner。Asshewentalongthecrowdednarrowstreets，shefelthowmuchofinteresttheyhadgainedbythesimplefactofherhavinglearnttocareforadwellerinthem。MaryHiggins，theslatternlyyoungersister，hadendeavouredaswellasshecouldtotidyupthehousefortheexpectedvisit。Therehadbeenrough-stoningdoneinthemiddleofthefloor，whiletheflagsunderthechairsandtableandroundthewallsretainedtheirdarkunwashedappearance。Althoughthedaywashot，thereburntalargefireinthegrate，makingthewholeplacefeellikeanoven。MargaretdidnotunderstandthatthelavishnessofcoalswasasignofhospitablewelcometoheronMary'spart，andthoughtthatperhapstheoppressiveheatwasnecessaryforBessy。Bessyherselflayonasquab，orshortsofa，placedunderthewindow。Shewasverymuchmorefeeblethanonthepreviousday，andtiredwithraisingherselfateverysteptolookoutandseeifitwasMargaretcoming。AndnowthatMargaretwasthere，andhadtakenachairbyher，Bessylaybacksilent，andcontenttolookatMargaret'sface，andtouchherarticlesofdress，withachildishadmirationoftheirfinenessoftexture。'IneverknewwhyfolkintheBiblecaredforsoftraimentafore。Butitmustbenicetogodressedasyo'do。It'sdifferentfro'common。Mostfinefolktiremyeyesoutwi'theircolours；butsomehowyoursrestme。
Wheredidyegetthisfrock?''InLondon，'saidMargaret，muchamused。'London！Haveyo'beeninLondon?''Yes！Ilivedthereforsomeyears。Butmyhomewasinaforest；inthecountry。'Tellmeaboutit，'saidBessy。'Iliketohearspeakofthecountryandtrees，andsuchlikethings。'Sheleantback，andshuthereyeandcrossedherhandsoverherbreast，lyingatperfectrest，asiftreceivealltheideasMargaretcouldsuggest。MargarethadneverspokenofHelstonesincesheleftit，exceptjustnamingtheplaceincidentally。Shesawitindreamsmorevividthanlife，andasshefellawaytoslumberatnightshermemorywanderedinallitspleasantplaces。Butherheartwasopenedtothisgirl；'Oh，Bessy，Ilovedthehomewehaveleftsodearly！Iwishyoucouldseeit。Icannottellyouhalfitsbeauty。Therearegreattreesstandingallaboutit，withtheirbranchesstretchinglongandlevel，andmakingadeepshadeofrestevenatnoonday。Andyet，thougheveryleafmayseemstill，thereisacontinualrushingsoundofmovementallaround——notcloseathand。Thensometimestheturfisassoftandfineasvelvet；andsometimesquitelushwiththeperpetualmoistureofalittle，hidden，tinklingbrooknearathand。Andtheninotherpartstherearebillowyferns——wholestretchesoffern；someinthegreenshadow；somewithlongstreaksofgoldensunlightlyingonthem——justlikethesea。''Ihaveneverseenthesea，'murmuredBessy。'Butgoon。''Then，hereandthere，therearewidecommons，highupasifabovetheverytopsofthetrees——''I'mgladofthat。Ifeltsmotheredlikedownbelow。WhenIhavegoneforanout，I'vealwayswantedtogethighupandseefaraway，andtakeadeepbreatho'fulnessinthatair。IgetsmotheredenoughinMilton，andIthinkthesoundyo'speakofamongthetrees，goingonforeverandever，wouldsendmedazed；it'sthatmademyheadachesointhemill。NowonthesecommonsIreckonthereisbutlittlenoise?''No，'saidMargaret；'nothingbuthereandtherealarkhighintheair。
SometimesIusedtohearafarmerspeakingsharpandloudtohisservants；
butitwassofarawaythatitonlyremindedmepleasantlythatotherpeoplewerehardatworkinsomedistantplace，whileIjustsatontheheatheranddidnothing。''IusedtothinkoncethatifIcouldhaveadayofdoingnothing，torestme——adayinsomequietplacelikethatyo'speakon——itwouldmaybesetmeup。ButnowI'vehadmanydayso'idleness，andI'mjustaswearyo'
themasIwaso'mywork。SometimesI'msotiredoutIthinkIcannotenjoyheavenwithoutapieceofrestfirst。I'mratherafeardo'goingstraighttherewithoutgettingagoodsleepinthegravetosetmeup。''Don'tbeafraid，Bessy，'saidMargaret，layingherhandonthegirl's；
'Godcangiveyoumoreperfectrestthanevenidlenessonearth，orthedeadsleepofthegravecando。'Bessymoveduneasily；thenshesaid:'Iwishfatherwouldnotspeakashedoes。Hemeanswell，asItelledyo'
yesterday，andtellyo'againandagain。Butyo'see，thoughIdon'tbelievehimabitbyday，yetbynight——whenI'minafever，half-asleepandhalf-awake——itcomesbackuponme——oh！sobad！AndIthink，ifthisshouldbeth'endofall，andifallI'vebeenbornforisjusttoworkmyheartandmylifeaway，andtosickeni'thisdreeplace，wi'themmill-noisesinmyearsforever，untilIcouldscreamoutforthemtostop，andletmehavealittlepieceo'quiet——andwi'theflufffillingmylungs，untilIthirsttodeathforonelongdeepbreatho'theclearairyo'speakon——andmymothergone，andIneverabletotellheragainhowIlovedher，ando'
allmytroubles——Ithinkifthislifeisth'end，andthatthere'snoGodtowipeawayalltearsfromalleyes——yo'wench，yo'！'saidshe，sittingup，andclutchingviolently，almostfiercely，atMargaret'shand，'Icouldgomad，andkillyo'，Icould。'Shefellbackcompletelywornoutwithherpassion。Margaretkneltdownbyher。'Bessy——wehaveaFatherinHeaven。''Iknowit！Iknowit，'moanedshe，turningherheaduneasilyfromsidetoside。'I'mverywicked。I'vespokenverywickedly。Oh！don'tbefrightenedbymeandnevercomeagain。Iwouldnotharmahairofyourhead。And，'
openinghereyes，andlookingearnestlyatMargaret，'Ibelieve，perhaps，morethanyo'doo'what'stocome。Ireadthebooko'RevelationsuntilIknowitoffbyheart，andIneverdoubtwhenI'mwaking，andinmysenses，ofallthegloryI'mtocometo。''Don'tletustalkofwhatfanciescomeintoyourheadwhenyouarefeverish。
Iwouldratherhearsomethingaboutwhatyouusedtodowhenyouwerewell。''IthinkIwaswellwhenmotherdied，butIhaveneverbeenrightlystrongsin'somewhereaboutthattime。Ibegantoworkinacarding-roomsoonafter，andthefluffgotintomylungsandpoisonedme。''Fluff?'saidMargaret，inquiringly。'Fluff，'repeatedBessy。'Littlebits，asflyofffro'thecotton，whenthey'recardingit，andfilltheairtillitlooksallfinewhitedust。
Theysayitwindsroundthelungs，andtightensthemup。Anyhow，there'smanyaoneasworksinacarding-room，thatfallsintoawaste，coughingandspittingblood，becausethey'rejustpoisonedbythefluff。''Butcan'titbehelped?'askedMargaret。'Idunno。Somefolkhaveagreatwheelatoneendo'theircarding-roomstomakeadraught，andcarryoffth'dust；butthatwheelcostsadealo'money——fiveorsixhundredpound，maybe，andbringsinnoprofit；soit'sbutafewofth'mastersaswillput'emup；andI'veheardtello'
menwhodidn'tlikeworkingplaceswheretherewasawheel，becausetheysaidashowitmad'emhungry，atafterthey'dbeenlongusedtoswallowingfluff，tonegowithoutit，andthattheirwageoughttoberaisediftheyweretoworkinsuchplaces。Sobetweenmastersandmenth'wheelsfallthrough。IknowIwishthere'dbeenawheelinourplace，though。''Didnotyourfatherknowaboutit?'askedMargaret。'Yes！Andheweresorry。Butourfactorywereagoodoneonthewhole；
andasteadylikelyseto'people；andfatherwasafeardoflettingmegotoastrangeplace，forthoughyo'wouldnathinkitnow，manyaonethenusedtocallmeagradelylassenough。AndIdidnaliketobereckonedneshandsoft，andMary'sschoolingweretobekeptup，mothersaid，andfatherhewerealwayslikingtobuybooks，andgotolectureso'onekindoranother——allwhichtookmoney——soIjustworkedontillIshallne'ergetthewhirrouto'myears，orthefluffouto'mythroati'thisworld。
That'sall。''Howoldareyou?'askedMargaret。'Nineteen，comeJuly。''AndItooamnineteen。'Shethought，moresorrowfullythanBessydid，ofthecontrastbetweenthem。Shecouldnotspeakforamomentortwofortheemotionshewastryingtokeepdown。'AboutMary，'saidBessy。'Iwantedtoaskyo'tobeafriendtoher。She'sseventeen，butshe'sth'lastonus。AndIdon'twanthertogototh'
mill，andyetIdunnowhatshe'sfitfor。''Shecouldnotdo'——Margaretglancedunconsciouslyattheuncleanedcornersoftheroom——'Shecouldhardlyundertakeaservant'splace，couldshe?
Wehaveanoldfaithfulservant，almostafriend，whowantshelp，butwhoisveryparticular；anditwouldnotberighttoplagueherwithgivingheranyassistancethatwouldreallybeanannoyanceandanirritation。''No，Isee。Ireckonyo'reright。OurMary'sagoodwench；butwhohasshehadtoteachherwhattodoaboutahouse?Nomother，andmeatthemilltillIweregoodfornothingbutscoldingherfordoingbadlywhatIdidn'tknowhowtodoabit。ButIwishshecouldha'livedwi'yo'，forallthat。''Buteventhoughshemaynotbeexactlyfittedtocomeandlivewithusasaservant——andIdon'tknowaboutthat——Iwillalwaystryandbeafriendtoherforyoursake，Bessy。AndnowImustgo。IwillcomeagainassoonasIcan；butifitshouldnotbeto-morrow，orthenextday，orevenaweekorafortnighthence，don'tthinkI'veforgottenyou。Imaybebusy。''I'llknowyo'won'tforgetmeagain。I'llnotmistrustyo'nomore。Butremember，inaweekorafortnightImaybedeadandburied！''I'llcomeassoonasIcan，Bessy，'saidMargaret，squeezingherhandtight。'Butyou'llletmeknowifyouareworse。'Ay，thatwillI，'saidBessy，returningthepressure。FromthatdayforwardsMrs。Halebecamemoreandmoreofasufferinginvalid。
ItwasnowdrawingneartotheanniversaryofEdith'smarriage，andlookingbackupontheyear'saccumulatedheapoftroubles，Margaretwonderedhowtheyhadbeenborne。Ifshecouldhaveanticipatedthem，howshewouldhaveshrunkawayandhidherselffromthecomingtime！Andyetdaybydayhad，ofitself，andbyitself，beenveryendurable——small，keen，brightlittlespotsofpositiveenjoymenthavingcomesparklingintotheverymiddleofsorrows。Ayearago，orwhenshefirstwenttoHelstone，andfirstbecamesilentlyconsciousofthequerulousnessinhermother'stemper，shewouldhavegroanedbitterlyovertheideaofalongillnesstobeborneinastrange，desolate，noisy，busyplace，withdiminishedcomfortsoneverysideofthehomelife。Butwiththeincreaseofseriousandjustgroundofcomplaint，anewkindofpatiencehadsprungupinhermother'smind。Shewasgentleandquietinintensebodilysuffering，almostinproportionasshehadbeenrestlessanddepressedwhentherehadbeennorealcauseforgrief。Mr。Halewasinexactlythatstageofapprehensionwhich，inmenofhisstamp，takestheshapeofwilfulblindness。HewasmoreirritatedthanMargarethadeverknownhimathisdaughter'sexpressedanxiety。'Indeed，Margaret，youaregrowingfanciful！GodknowsIshouldbethefirsttotakethealarmifyourmotherwerereallyill；wealwayssawwhenshehadherheadachesatHelstone，evenwithouthertellingus。Shelooksquitepaleandwhitewhensheisill；andnowshehasabrighthealthycolourinhercheeks，justassheusedtohavewhenIfirstknewher。''But，papa，'saidMargaret，withhesitation，'doyouknow，Ithinkthatistheflushofpain。''Nonsense，Margaret。Itellyou，youaretoofanciful。Youarethepersonnotwell，Ithink。Sendforthedoctorto-morrowforyourself；andthen，ifitwillmakeyourmindeasier，hecanseeyourmother。''Thankyou，dearpapa。Itwillmakemehappier，indeed。'Andshewentuptohimtokisshim。Buthepushedheraway——gentlyenough，butstillasifshehadsuggestedunpleasantideas，whichheshouldbegladtogetridofasreadilyashecouldofherpresence。Hewalkeduneasilyupanddowntheroom。'PoorMaria！'saidhe，halfsoliloquising，'Iwishonecoulddorightwithoutsacrificingothers。Ishallhatethistown，andmyselftoo，ifshe——Pray，Margaret，doesyourmotheroftentalktoyouoftheoldplacesofHelstone，Imean?''No，papa，'saidMargaret，sadly。'Then，yousee，shecan'tbefrettingafterthem，eh?IthasalwaysbeenacomforttometothinkthatyourmotherwassosimpleandopenthatI
kneweverylittlegrievanceshehad。Sheneverwouldconcealanythingseriouslyaffectingherhealthfromme:wouldshe，eh，Margaret?Iamquitesureshewouldnot。Sodon'tletmehearofthesefoolishmorbidideas。Come，givemeakiss，andrunofftobed。'Butsheheardhimpacingabout(racooning，assheandEdithusedtocallit)longafterherslowandlanguidundressingwasfinished——longaftershebegantolistenasshelayinbed。
chapter14CHAPTERXIVTHEMUTINY'IwasusedTosleepatnightsassweetlyasachild，——Nowifthewindblewrough，itmademestart，AndthinkofmypoorboytossingaboutUpontheroaringseas。AndthenIseemedTofeelthatitwashardtotakehimfrommeForsuchalittlefault。'SOUTHEY。ItwasacomforttoMargaretaboutthistime，tofindthathermotherdrewmoretenderlyandintimatelytowardsherthanshehadeverdonesincethedaysofherchildhood。Shetookhertoherheartasaconfidentialfriend——thepostMargarethadalwayslongedtofill，andhadenviedDixonforbeingpreferredto。Margarettookpainstorespondtoeverycallmadeuponherforsympathy——andtheyweremany——evenwhentheyborerelationtotrifles，whichshewouldnomorehavenoticedorregardedherselfthantheelephantwouldperceivethelittlepinathisfeet，whichyetheliftscarefullyupatthebiddingofhiskeeper。AllunconsciouslyMargaretdrewneartoareward。Oneevening，Mr。Halebeingabsent，hermotherbegantotalktoheraboutherbrotherFrederick，theverysubjectonwhichMargarethadlongedtoaskquestions，andalmosttheonlyoneonwhichhertimidityovercamehernaturalopenness。Themoreshewantedtohearabouthim，thelesslikelyshewastospeak。'Oh，Margaret，itwassowindylastnight！Itcamehowlingdownthechimneyinourroom！Icouldnotsleep。Inevercanwhenthereissuchaterriblewind。IgotintoawakefulhabitwhenpoorFrederickwasatsea；andnow，evenifIdon'twakenallatonce，Idreamofhiminsomestormysea，withgreat，clear，glass-greenwallsofwavesoneithersidehisship，butfarhigherthanherverymasts，curlingoverherwiththatcruel，terriblewhitefoam，likesomegiganticcrestedserpent。Itisanolddream，butitalwayscomesbackonwindynights，tillIamthankfultowaken，sittingstraightandstiffupinbedwithmyterror。PoorFrederick！Heisonlandnow，sowindcandohimnoharm。ThoughIdidthinkitmightshakedownsomeofthosetallchimneys。''WhereisFredericknow，mamma?OurlettersaredirectedtothecareofMessrs。Barbour，atCadiz，Iknow；butwhereishehimself?''Ican'trememberthenameoftheplace，butheisnotcalledHale；youmustrememberthat，Margaret。NoticetheF。D。ineverycorneroftheletters。
HehastakenthenameofDickenson。IwantedhimtohavebeencalledBeresford，towhichhehadakindofright，butyourfatherthoughthehadbetternot。Hemightberecognised，youknow，ifhewerecalledbymyname。''Mamma，'saidMargaret，'IwasatAuntShaw'swhenitallhappened；andIsupposeIwasnotoldenoughtobetoldplainlyaboutit。ButIshouldliketoknownow，ifImay——ifitdoesnotgiveyoutoomuchpaintospeakaboutit。''Pain！No，'repliedMrs。Hale，hercheekflushing。'YetitispaintothinkthatperhapsImayneverseemydarlingboyagain。Orelsehedidright，Margaret。Theymaysaywhattheylike，butIhavehisownletterstoshow，andI'llbelievehim，thoughheismyson，soonerthananycourt-martialonearth。Gotomylittlejapancabinet，dear，andinthesecondleft-handdraweryouwillfindapacketofletters。'Margaretwent。Thereweretheyellow，sea-stainedletters，withthepeculiarfragrancewhichoceanlettershave:Margaretcarriedthembacktohermother，whountiedthesilkenstringwithtremblingfingers，and，examiningtheirdates，shegavethemtoMargarettoread，makingherhurried，anxiousremarksontheircontents，almostbeforeherdaughtercouldhaveunderstoodwhattheywere。'Yousee，Margaret，howfromtheveryfirsthedislikedCaptainReid。Hewassecondlieutenantintheship——theOrion——inwhichFredericksailedtheveryfirsttime。Poorlittlefellow，howwellhelookedinhismidshipman'sdress，withhisdirkinhishand，cuttingopenallthenewspaperswithitasifitwereapaper-knife！ButthisMr。Reid，ashewasthen，seemedtotakeadisliketoFrederickfromtheverybeginning。Andthen——stay！
thesearethelettershewroteonboardtheRussell。Whenhewasappointedtoher，andfoundhisoldenemyCaptainReidincommand，hedidmeantobearallhistyrannypatiently。Look！thisistheletter。Justreadit，Margaret。Whereisithesays——Stop——'myfathermayrelyuponme，thatIwillbearwithallproperpatienceeverythingthatoneofficerandgentlemancantakefromanother。Butfrommyformerknowledgeofmypresentcaptain，IconfessIlookforwardwithapprehensiontoalongcourseoftyrannyonboardtheRussell。'Yousee，hepromisestobearpatiently，andIamsurehedid，forhewasthesweetest-temperedboy，whenhewasnotvexed，thatcouldpossiblybe。IsthattheletterinwhichhespeaksofCaptainReid'simpatiencewiththemen，fornotgoingthroughtheship'smanoeuvresasquicklyastheAvenger?Yousee，hesaysthattheyhadmanynewhandsonboardtheRussell，whiletheAvengerhadbeennearlythreeyearsonthestation，withnothingtodobuttokeepslaversoff，andworkhermen，tilltheyranupanddowntherigginglikeratsormonkeys。'Margaretslowlyreadtheletter，halfillegiblethroughthefadingoftheink。Itmightbe——itprobablywas——astatementofCaptainReid'simperiousnessintrifles，verymuchexaggeratedbythenarrator，whohadwrittenitwhilefreshandwarmfromthesceneofaltercation。Somesailorsbeingaloftinthemain-topsailrigging，thecaptainhadorderedthemtoracedown，threateningthehindmostwiththecat-of-nine-tails。Hewhowasthefarthestonthespar，feelingtheimpossibilityofpassinghiscompanions，andyetpassionatelydreadingthedisgraceoftheflogging，threwhimselfdesperatelydowntocatcharopeconsiderablylower，failed，andfellsenselessondeck。Heonlysurvivedforafewhoursafterwards，andtheindignationoftheship'screwwasatboilingpointwhenyoungHalewrote。'Butwedidnotreceivethislettertilllong，longafterweheardofthemutiny。PoorFred！Idaresayitwasacomforttohimtowriteiteventhoughhecouldnothaveknownhowtosendit，poorfellow！Andthenwesawareportinthepapers——that'stosay，longbeforeFred'sletterreachedus——ofanatrociousmutinyhavingbrokenoutonboardtheRussell，andthatthemutineershadremainedinpossessionoftheship，whichhadgoneoff，itwassupposed，tobeapirate；andthatCaptainReidwassentadriftinaboatwithsomemen——officersorsomething——whosenameswereallgiven，fortheywerepickedupbyaWest-Indiansteamer。Oh，Margaret！howyourfatherandIturnedsickoverthatlist，whentherewasnonameofFrederickHale。Wethoughtitmustbesomemistake；forpoorFredwassuchafinefellow，onlyperhapsrathertoopassionate；andwehopedthatthenameofCarr，whichwasinthelist，wasamisprintforthatofHale——newspapersaresocareless。Andtowardspost-timethenextday，papasetofftowalktoSouthamptontogetthepapers；andIcouldnotstopathome，soIwenttomeethim。Hewasverylate——muchlaterthanIthoughthewouldhavebeen；andIsatdownunderthehedgetowaitforhim。Hecameatlast，hisarmshangingloosedown，hisheadsunk，andwalkingheavilyalong，asifeverystepwasalabourandatrouble。Margaret，Iseehimnow。''Don'tgoon，mamma。Icanunderstanditall，'saidMargaret，leaningupcaressinglyagainsthermother'sside，andkissingherhand。'No，youcan't，Margaret。Noonecanwhodidnotseehimthen。Icouldhardlyliftmyselfuptogoandmeethim——everythingseemedsotoreelaroundmeallatonce。AndwhenIgottohim，hedidnotspeak，orseemsurprisedtoseemethere，morethanthreemilesfromhome，besidetheOldhambeech-tree；butheputmyarminhis，andkeptstrokingmyhand，asifhewantedtosoothemetobeveryquietundersomegreatheavyblow；
andwhenItrembledsoalloverthatIcouldnotspeak，hetookmeinhisarms，andstoopeddownhisheadonmine，andbegantoshakeandtocryinastrangemuffled，groaningvoice，tillI，forveryfright，stoodquitestill，andonlybeggedhimtotellmewhathehadheard。Andthen，withhishandjerking，asifsomeoneelsemoveditagainsthiswill，hegavemeawickednewspapertoread，callingourFredericka“traitoroftheblackestdye，““abase，ungratefuldisgracetohisprofession。”Oh！Icannottellwhatbadwordstheydidnotuse。ItookthepaperinmyhandsassoonasIhadreadit——Itoreituptolittlebits——Itoreit——oh！IbelieveMargaret，Itoreitwithmyteeth。Ididnotcry。Icouldnot。Mycheekswereashotasfire，andmyveryeyesburntinmyhead。Isawyourfatherlookinggraveatme。Isaiditwasalie，andsoitwas。Monthsafter，thislettercame，andyouseewhatprovocationFrederickhad。Itwasnotforhimself，orhisowninjuries，herebelled；buthewouldspeakhismindtoCaptainReid，andsoitwentonfrombadtoworse；andyousee，mostofthesailorsstuckbyFrederick。'Ithink，Margaret，'shecontinued，afterapause，inaweak，trembling，exhaustedvoice，'Iamgladofit——IamprouderofFrederickstandingupagainstinjustice，thanifhehadbeensimplyagoodofficer。''IamsureIam，'saidMargaret，inafirm，decidedtone。'Loyaltyandobediencetowisdomandjusticearefine；butitisstillfinertodefyarbitrarypower，unjustlyandcruellyused-notonbehalfofourselves，butonbehalfofothersmorehelpless。''Forallthat，IwishIcouldseeFrederickoncemore——justonce。Hewasmyfirstbaby，Margaret。'Mrs。Halespokewistfully，andalmostasifapologisingfortheyearning，cravingwish，asthoughitwereadepreciationofherremainingchild。ButsuchanideanevercrossedMargaret'smind。Shewasthinkinghowhermother'sdesirecouldbefulfilled。'Itissixorsevenyearsago——wouldtheystillprosecutehim，mother?
Ifhecameandstoodhistrial，whatwouldbethepunishment?Surely，hemightbringevidenceofhisgreatprovocation。''Itwoulddonogood，'repliedMrs。Hale。'SomeofthesailorswhoaccompaniedFrederickweretaken，andtherewasacourt-martialheldonthemonboardtheAmicia；Ibelievedalltheysaidintheirdefence，poorfellows，becauseitjustagreedwithFrederick'sstory——butitwasofnouse，——'andforthefirsttimeduringtheconversationMrs。Halebegantocry；yetsomethingpossessedMargarettoforcetheinformationsheforesaw，yetdreaded，fromhermother。'Whathappenedtothem，mamma?'askedshe。'Theywerehungattheyard-arm，'saidMrs。Hale，solemnly。'Andtheworstwasthatthecourt，incondemningthemtodeath，saidtheyhadsufferedthemselvestobeledastrayfromtheirdutybytheirsuperiorofficers。'Theyweresilentforalongtime。'AndFrederickwasinSouthAmericaforseveralyears，washenot?''Yes。AndnowheisinSpain。AtCadiz，orsomewherenearit。IfhecomestoEnglandhewillbehung。Ishallneverseehisfaceagain——forifhecomestoEnglandhewillbehung。'Therewasnocomforttobegiven。Mrs。Haleturnedherfacetothewall，andlayperfectlystillinhermother'sdespair。Nothingcouldbesaidtoconsoleher。ShetookherhandoutofMargaret'swithalittleimpatientmovement，asifshewouldfainbeleftalonewiththerecollectionofherson。WhenMr。Halecamein，Margaretwentout，oppressedwithgloom，andseeingnopromiseofbrightnessonanysideofthehorizon。
chapter15CHAPTERXVMASTERSANDMEN'Thoughtfightswiththought；outspringsasparkoftruthFromthecollisionoftheswordandshield。'W。S。LANDOR。'Margaret，'saidherfather，thenextday，'wemustreturnMrs。Thornton'scall。Yourmotherisnotverywell，andthinksshecannotwalksofar；
butyouandIwillgothisafternoon。'Astheywent，Mr。Halebeganabouthiswife'shealth，withakindofveiledanxiety，whichMargaretwasgladtoseeawakenedatlast。'Didyouconsultthedoctor，Margaret?Didyousendforhim?''No，papa，youspokeofhiscorningtoseeme。NowIwaswell。ButifI
onlyknewofsomegooddoctor，Iwouldgothisafternoon，andaskhimtocome，forIamsuremammaisseriouslyindisposed。'Sheputthetruththusplainlyandstronglybecauseherfatherhadsocompletelyshuthismindagainsttheidea，whenshehadlastnamedherfears。Butnowthecasewaschanged。Heansweredinadespondenttone:'Doyouthinkshehasanyhiddencomplaint?Doyouthinksheisreallyveryill?HasDixonsaidanything?Oh，Margaret！IamhauntedbythefearthatourcomingtoMiltonhaskilledher。MypoorMaria！''Oh，papa！don'timaginesuchthings，'saidMargaret，shocked。'Sheisnotwell，thatisall。Manyaoneisnotwellforatime；andwithgoodadvicegetsbetterandstrongerthanever。''ButhasDixonsaidanythingabouther?''No！YouknowDixonenjoysmakingamysteryoutoftrifles；andshehasbeenalittlemysteriousaboutmamma'shealth，whichhasalarmedmerather，thatisall。Withoutanyreason，Idaresay。Youknow，papa，yousaidtheotherdayIwasgettingfanciful。''Ihopeandtrustyouare。Butdon'tthinkofwhatIsaidthen。Ilikeyoutobefancifulaboutyourmother'shealth。Don'tbeafraidoftellingmeyourfancies。Iliketohearthem，though，Idaresay，IspokeasifIwasannoyed。ButwewillaskMrs。Thorntonifshecantellusofagooddoctor。Wewon'tthrowawayourmoneyonanybutsomeonefirst-rate。Stay，weturnupthisstreet。'ThestreetdidnotlookasifitcouldcontainanyhouselargeenoughforMrs。Thornton'shabitation。Herson'spresencenevergaveanyimpressionastothekindofhousehelivedin；but，unconsciously，Margarethadimaginedthattall，massive，handsomelydressedMrs。Thorntonmustliveinahouseofthesamecharacterasherself。NowMarlboroughStreetconsistedoflongrowsofsmallhouses，withablankwallhereandthere；atleastthatwasalltheycouldseefromthepointatwhichtheyenteredit。'HetoldmehelivedinMarlboroughStreet，I'msure，'saidMr。Hale，withamuchperplexedair。'Perhapsitisoneoftheeconomieshestillpractises，toliveinaverysmallhouse。Buthereareplentyofpeopleabout；letmeask。'Sheaccordinglyinquiredofapasser-by，andwasinformedthatMr。Thorntonlivedclosetothemill，andhadthefactorylodge-doorpointedouttoher，attheendofthelongdeadwalltheyhadnoticed。Thelodge-doorwaslikeacommongarden-door；ononesideofitweregreatclosedgatesfortheingressandegressoflurriesandwagons。Thelodge-keeperadmittedthemintoagreatoblongyard，ononesideofwhichwereofficesforthetransactionofbusiness；ontheopposite，animmensemany-windowedmill，whenceproceededthecontinualclankofmachineryandthelonggroaningroarofthesteam-engine，enoughtodeafenthosewholivedwithintheenclosure。
Oppositetothewall，alongwhichthestreetran，ononeofthenarrowsidesoftheoblong，wasahandsomestone-copedhouse，——blackened，tobesure，bythesmoke，butwithpaint，windows，andstepskeptscrupulouslyclean。Itwasevidentlyahousewhichhadbeenbuiltsomefiftyorsixtyyears。Thestonefacings——thelong，narrowwindows，andthenumberofthem——theflightsofstepsuptothefrontdoor，ascendingfromeitherside，andguardedbyrailing——allwitnessedtoitsage。Margaretonlywonderedwhypeoplewhocouldaffordtoliveinsogoodahouse，andkeepitinsuchperfectorder，didnotpreferamuchsmallerdwellinginthecountry，orevensomesuburb；notinthecontinualwhirlanddinofthefactory。Herunaccustomedearscouldhardlycatchherfather'svoice，astheystoodonthestepsawaitingtheopeningofthedoor。Theyard，too，withthegreatdoorsinthedeadwallasaboundary，wasbutadismallook-outforthesitting-roomsofthehouse——asMargaretfoundwhentheyhadmountedtheold-fashionedstairs，andbeenusheredintothedrawing-room，thethreewindowsofwhichwentoverthefrontdoorandtheroomontheright-handsideoftheentrance。Therewasnooneinthedrawing-room。Itseemedasthoughnoonehadbeeninitsincethedaywhenthefurniturewasbaggedupwithasmuchcareasifthehousewastobeoverwhelmedwithlava，anddiscoveredathousandyearshence。Thewallswerepinkandgold；thepatternonthecarpetrepresentedbunchesofflowersonalightground，butitwascarefullycoveredupinthecentrebyalinendrugget，glazedandcolourless。
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