We are open enemies; and I can protect myself from any violence that I apprehend.
And I will assuredly protect all others who come to me for work.
They know my determination by this time, as well and as fully as you do.'
Mr. Horsfall took him a little on one side, as Margaret conjectured, to ask him some other question about the strike; but, in truth, it was to inquire who she herself was—so quiet, so stately, and so beautiful.
'A Milton lady?' asked he, as the name was given.
'No! from the south of England—Hampshire, I believe,' was the cold, indifferent answer.
Mrs. Slickson was catechising Fanny on the same subject.
'Who is that fine distinguished-looking girl? a sister of Mr. Horsfall's?'
'Oh dear, no!
That is Mr. Hale, her father, talking now to Mr. Stephens.
He gives lessons; that is to say, he reads with young men.
My brother John goes to him twice a week, and so he begged mamma to ask them here, in hopes of getting him known.
I believe, we have some of their prospectuses, if you would like to have one.'
'Mr. Thornton!
Does he really find time to read with a tutor, in the midst of all his business,—and this abominable strike in hand as well?'
Fanny was not sure, from Mrs. Slickson's manner, whether she ought to be proud or ashamed of her brother's conduct; and, like all people who try and take other people's 'ought' for the rule of their feelings, she was inclined to blush for any singularity of action.
Her shame was interrupted by the dispersion of the guests.
Chapter 21 The Dark Night
'On earth is known to none
The smile that is not sister to a tear.'
ELLIOTT.
Margaret and her father walked home.
The night was fine, the streets clean, and with her pretty white silk, like Leezie Lindsay's gown o' green satin, in the ballad, 'kilted up to her knee,' she was off with her father—ready to dance along with the excitement of the cool, fresh night air.
'I rather think Thornton is not quite easy in his mind about this strike.
He seemed very anxious to-night.'
'I should wonder if he were not.
But he spoke with his usual coolness to the others, when they suggested different things, just before we came away.'
'So he did after dinner as well.
It would take a good deal to stir him from his cool manner of speaking; but his face strikes me as anxious.'
'I should be, if I were he.
He must know of the growing anger and hardly smothered hatred of his workpeople, who all look upon him as what the Bible calls a "hard man,"—not so much unjust as unfeeling; clear in judgment, standing upon his "rights" as no human being ought to stand, considering what we and all our petty rights are in the sight of the Almighty.
I am glad you think he looks anxious.
When I remember Boucher's half mad words and ways, I cannot bear to think how coolly Mr. Thornton spoke.'
'In the first place, I am not so convinced as you are about that man Boucher's utter distress; for the moment, he was badly off, I don't doubt.
But there is always a mysterious supply of money from these Unions; and, from what you said, it was evident the man was of a passionate, demonstrative nature, and gave strong expression to all he felt.'
'Oh, papa!'
'Well! I only want you to do justice to Mr. Thornton, who is, I suspect, of an exactly opposite nature,—a man who is far too proud to show his feelings.
Just the character I should have thought beforehand, you would have admired, Margaret.'
'So I do,—so I should; but I don't feel quite so sure as you do of the existence of those feelings.
He is a man of great strength of character,—of unusual intellect, considering the few advantages he has had.'
'Not so few.
He has led a practical life from a very early age; has been called upon to exercise judgment and self-control.
All that developes one part of the intellect.
To be sure, he needs some of the knowledge of the past, which gives the truest basis for conjecture as to the future; but he knows this need,—he perceives it, and that is something.
You are quite prejudiced against Mr. Thornton, Margaret.'
'He is the first specimen of a manufacturer—of a person engaged in trade—that I had ever the opportunity of studying, papa.
He is my first olive: let me make a face while I swallow it.
I know he is good of his kind, and by and by I shall like the kind.
I rather think I am already beginning to do so.