'What are you saying about me, Miss Hale? May I inquire?' Margaret had not the words ready for an answer to this question,

which took her a little by surprise, so Miss Thornton replied: 'Oh, mamma! we are only trying to account for your being so fond

of Milton.' 'Thank you,' said Mrs. Thornton. 'I do not feel that my very

natural liking for the place where I was born and brought

up,--and which has since been my residence for some years,

requires any accounting for.' Margaret was vexed. As Fanny had put it, it did seem as if they

had been impertinently discussing Mrs. Thornton's feelings; but

she also rose up against that lady's manner of showing that she

was offended.

Mrs. Thornton went on after a moment's pause: 'Do you know anything of Milton, Miss Hale? Have you seen any of

our factories? our magnificent warehouses?' 'No!' said Margaret. 'I have not seen anything of that

description as yet. Then she felt that, by concealing her utter

indifference to all such places, she was hardly speaking with

truth; so she went on: 'I dare say, papa would have taken me before now if I had cared.

But I really do not find much pleasure in going over

manufactories.' 'They are very curious places,' said Mrs. Hale, 'but there is so

much noise and dirt always. I remember once going in a lilac silk

to see candles made, and my gown was utterly ruined.' 'Very probably,' said Mrs. Thornton, in a short displeased

manner. 'I merely thought, that as strangers newly come to reside

in a town which has risen to eminence in the country, from the

character and progress of its peculiar business, you might have

cared to visit some of the places where it is carried on; places

unique in the kingdom, I am informed. If Miss Hale changes her

mind and condescends to be curious as to the manufactures of

Milton, I can only say I shall be glad to procure her admission

to print-works, or reed-making, or the more simple operations of

spinning carried on in my son's mill. Every improvement of

machinery is, I believe, to be seen there, in its highest

perfection.' 'I am so glad you don't like mills and manufactories, and all

those kind of things,' said Fanny, in a half-whisper, as she rose

to accompany her mother, who was taking leave of Mrs. Hale with

rustling dignity.

'I think I should like to know all about them, if I were you,'

replied Margaret quietly.

'Fanny!' said her mother, as they drove away, 'we will be civil

to these Hales: but don't form one of your hasty friendships with

the daughter. She will do you no good, I see. The mother looks

very ill, and seems a nice, quiet kind of person.' 'I don't want to form any friendship with Miss Hale, mamma,' said

Fanny, pouting. 'I thought I was doing my duty by talking to her,

and trying to amuse her.' 'Well! at any rate John must be satisfied now.'




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