'They were hung at the yard-arm,' said Mrs. Hale, solemnly. 'And the worst was that the court, in condemning them to death, said they had suffered themselves to be led astray from their duty by their superior officers.'
They were silent for a long time.
'And Frederick was in South America for several years, was he not?'
'Yes.
And now he is in Spain.
At Cadiz, or somewhere near it.
If he comes to England he will be hung.
I shall never see his face again—for if he comes to England he will be hung.'
There was no comfort to be given.
Mrs. Hale turned her face to the wall, and lay perfectly still in her mother's despair.
Nothing could be said to console her.
She took her hand out of Margaret's with a little impatient movement, as if she would fain be left alone with the recollection of her son.
When Mr. Hale came in, Margaret went out, oppressed with gloom, and seeing no promise of brightness on any side of the horizon.
Chapter 15 Masters and Men
'Thought fights with thought; out springs a spark of truth
From the collision of the sword and shield.'
W. S. LANDOR.
'Margaret,' said her father, the next day, 'we must return Mrs. Thornton's call.
Your mother is not very well, and thinks she cannot walk so far; but you and I will go this afternoon.'
As they went, Mr. Hale began about his wife's health, with a kind of veiled anxiety, which Margaret was glad to see awakened at last.
'Did you consult the doctor, Margaret?
Did you send for him?'
'No, papa, you spoke of his corning to see me. Now I was well.
But if I only knew of some good doctor, I would go this afternoon, and ask him to come, for I am sure mamma is seriously indisposed.'
She put the truth thus plainly and strongly because her father had so completely shut his mind against the idea, when she had last named her fears.
But now the case was changed.
He answered in a despondent tone:
'Do you think she has any hidden complaint?
Do you think she is really very ill?
Has Dixon said anything?
Oh, Margaret!
I am haunted by the fear that our coming to Milton has killed her.
My poor Maria!'
'Oh, papa! don't imagine such things,' said Margaret, shocked. 'She is not well, that is all.
Many a one is not well for a time; and with good advice gets better and stronger than ever.'
'But has Dixon said anything about her?'
'No! You know Dixon enjoys making a mystery out of trifles; and she has been a little mysterious about mamma's health, which has alarmed me rather, that is all.
Without any reason, I dare say.
You know, papa, you said the other day I was getting fanciful.'
'I hope and trust you are.
But don't think of what I said then.
I like you to be fanciful about your mother's health.
Don't be afraid of telling me your fancies.
I like to hear them, though, I dare say, I spoke as if I was annoyed.
But we will ask Mrs. Thornton if she can tell us of a good doctor.
We won't throw away our money on any but some one first-rate.
Stay, we turn up this street.'
The street did not look as if it could contain any house large enough for Mrs. Thornton's habitation.
Her son's presence never gave any impression as to the kind of house he lived in; but, unconsciously, Margaret had imagined that tall, massive, handsomely dressed Mrs. Thornton must live in a house of the same character as herself.