'Of course it does. But surely you are not a coward, are you?

Milton is not the place for cowards. I have known the time when I

have had to thread my way through a crowd of white, angry men,

all swearing they would have Makinson's blood as soon as he

ventured to show his nose out of his factory; and he, knowing

nothing of it, some one had to go and tell him, or he was a dead

man, and it needed to be a woman,--so I went. And when I had got

in, I could not get out. It was as much as my life was worth. So

I went up to the roof, where there were stones piled ready to

drop on the heads of the crowd, if they tried to force the

factory doors. And I would have lifted those heavy stones, and

dropped them with as good an aim as the best man there, but that

I fainted with the heat I had gone through. If you live in

Milton, you must learn to have a brave heart, Miss Hale.' 'I would do my best,' said Margaret rather pale. 'I do not know

whether I am brave or not till I am tried; but I am afraid I

should be a coward.' 'South country people are often frightened by what our Darkshire

men and women only call living and struggling. But when you've

been ten years among a people who are always owing their betters

a grudge, and only waiting for an opportunity to pay it off,

you'll know whether you are a coward or not, take my word for

it.' Mr. Thornton came that evening to Mr. Hale's. He was shown up

into the drawing-room, where Mr. Hale was reading aloud to his

wife and daughter.

'I am come partly to bring you a note from my mother, and partly

to apologise for not keeping to my time yesterday. The note

contains the address you asked for; Dr. Donaldson.' 'Thank you!' said Margaret, hastily, holding out her hand to take

the note, for she did not wish her mother to hear that they had

been making any inquiry about a doctor. She was pleased that Mr.

Thornton seemed immediately to understand her feeling; he gave

her the note without another word of explanation. Mr. Hale began

to talk about the strike. Mr. Thornton's face assumed a likeness

to his mother's worst expression, which immediately repelled the

watching Margaret.

'Yes; the fools will have a strike. Let them. It suits us well

enough. But we gave them a chance. They think trade is

flourishing as it was last year. We see the storm on the horizon

and draw in our sails. But because we don't explain our reasons,

they won't believe we're acting reasonably. We must give them

line and letter for the way we choose to spend or save our money.

Henderson tried a dodge with his men, out at Ashley, and failed.

He rather wanted a strike; it would have suited his book well

enough. So when the men came to ask for the five per cent. they

are claiming, he told 'em he'd think about it, and give them his

answer on the pay day; knowing all the while what his answer

would be, of course, but thinking he'd strengthen their conceit

of their own way. However, they were too deep for him, and heard

something about the bad prospects of trade. So in they came on

the Friday, and drew back their claim, and now he's obliged to go

on working. But we Milton masters have to-day sent in our

decision. We won't advance a penny. We tell them we may have to

lower wages; but can't afford to raise. So here we stand, waiting

for their next attack.' 'And what will that be?' asked Mr. Hale.




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024