'I assure you, I heard it spoken of with great

interest--curiosity as to its result, perhaps I should rather

say. I heard your name frequently mentioned during my short stay

in the neighbourhood.' Then they lost some words; and when next

they could hear Mr. Thornton was speaking.

'I have not the elements for popularity--if they spoke of me in

that way, they were mistaken. I fall slowly into new projects;

and I find it difficult to let myself be known, even by those

whom I desire to know, and with whom I would fain have no

reserve. Yet, even with all these drawbacks, I felt that I was on

the right path, and that, starting from a kind of friendship with

one, I was becoming acquainted with many. The advantages were

mutual: we were both unconsciously and consciously teaching each

other.' 'You say "were." I trust you are intending to pursue the same

course?' 'I must stop Colthurst,' said Henry Lennox, hastily. And by an

abrupt, yet apropos question, he turned the current of the

conversation, so as not to give Mr. Thornton the mortification of

acknowledging his want of success and consequent change of

position. But as soon as the newly-started subject had come to a

close, Mr. Thornton resumed the conversation just where it had

been interrupted, and gave Mr. Colthurst the reply to his

inquiry.

'I have been unsuccessful in business, and have had to give up my

position as a master. I am on the look out for a situation in

Milton, where I may meet with employment under some one who will

be willing to let me go along my own way in such matters as

these. I can depend upon myself for having no go-ahead theories

that I would rashly bring into practice. My only wish is to have

the opportunity of cultivating some intercourse with the hands

beyond the mere "cash nexus." But it might be the point

Archimedes sought from which to move the earth, to judge from the

importance attached to it by some of our manufacturers, who shake

their heads and look grave as soon as I name the one or two

experiments that I should like to try.' 'You call them "experiments" I notice,' said Mr. Colthurst, with

a delicate increase of respect in his manner.

'Because I believe them to be such. I am not sure of the

consequences that may result from them. But I am sure they ought

to be tried. I have arrived at the conviction that no mere

institutions, however wise, and however much thought may have

been required to organise and arrange them, can attach class to

class as they should be attached, unless the working out of such

institutions bring the individuals of the different classes into

actual personal contact. Such intercourse is the very breath of

life. A working man can hardly be made to feel and know how much

his employer may have laboured in his study at plans for the

benefit of his workpeople. A complete plan emerges like a piece

of machinery, apparently fitted for every emergency. But the

hands accept it as they do machinery, without understanding the

intense mental labour and forethought required to bring it to

such perfection. But I would take an idea, the working out of

which would necessitate personal intercourse; it might not go

well at first, but at every hitch interest would be felt by an

increasing number of men, and at last its success in working come

to be desired by all, as all had borne a part in the formation of

the plan; and even then I am sure that it would lose its

vitality, cease to be living, as soon as it was no longer carried

on by that sort of common interest which invariably makes people

find means and ways of seeing each other, and becoming acquainted

with each others' characters and persons, and even tricks of

temper and modes of speech. We should understand each other

better, and I'll venture to say we should like each other more.' 'And you think they may prevent the recurrence of strikes?' 'Not at all. My utmost expectation only goes so far as this--that

they may render strikes not the bitter, venomous sources of

hatred they have hitherto been. A more hopeful man might imagine

that a closer and more genial intercourse between classes might

do away with strikes. But I am not a hopeful man.' Suddenly, as if a new idea had struck him, he crossed over to

where Margaret was sitting, and began, without preface, as if he

knew she had been listening to all that had passed: 'Miss Hale, I had a round-robin from some of my men--I suspect in

Higgins' handwriting--stating their wish to work for me, if ever

I was in a position to employ men again on my own behalf. That

was good, wasn't it?' 'Yes. Just right. I am glad of it,' said Margaret, looking up

straight into his face with her speaking eyes, and then dropping

them under his eloquent glance. He gazed back at her for a

minute, as if he did not know exactly what he was about. Then

sighed; and saying, 'I knew you would like it,' he turned away,

and never spoke to her again until he bid her a formal 'good

night.' As Mr. Lennox took his departure, Margaret said, with a blush

that she could not repress, and with some hesitation, 'Can I speak to you to-morrow? I want your help

about--something.' 'Certainly. I will come at whatever time you name. You cannot

give me a greater pleasure than by making me of any use. At

eleven? Very well.' His eye brightened with exultation. How she was learning to

depend upon him! It seemed as if any day now might give him the

certainty, without having which he had determined never to offer

to her again.




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