‘Yes—­you must go,’ repeated Mr. Hale, answering Margaret’s question, which she had asked some time ago.  His thoughts were fixed on one subject, and it was an effort to him to follow the zig-zag remarks of his children—­an effort which ho did not make.

Margaret and Frederick looked at each other.  That quick momentary sympathy would be theirs no longer if he went away.  So much was understood through eyes that could not be put into words.  Both coursed the same thought till it was lost in sadness.  Frederick shook it off first: 

’Do you know, Margaret, I was very nearly giving both Dixon and myself a good fright this afternoon.  I was in my bedroom; I had heard a ring at the front door, but I thought the ringer must have done his business and gone away long ago; so I was on the point of making my appearance in the passage, when, as I opened my room door, I saw Dixon coming downstairs; and she frowned and kicked me into hiding again.  I kept the door open, and heard a message given to some man that was in my father’s study, and that then went away.  Who could it have been?  Some of the shopmen?’

‘Very likely,’ said Margaret, indifferently.  ’There was a little quiet man who came up for orders about two o’clock.’

’But this was not a little man—­a great powerful fellow; and it was past four when he was here.’

‘It was Mr. Thornton,’ said Mr. Hale.  They were glad to have drawn him into the conversation.

‘Mr. Thornton!’ said Margaret, a little surprised.  ’I thought——­’

‘Well, little one, what did you think?’ asked Frederick, as she did not finish her sentence.

‘Oh, only,’ said she, reddening and looking straight at him, ’I fancied you meant some one of a different class, not a gentleman; somebody come on an errand.’

‘He looked like some one of that kind,’ said Frederick, carelessly.  ’I took him for a shopman, and he turns out a manufacturer.’

Margaret was silent.  She remembered how at first, before she knew his character, she had spoken and thought of him just as Frederick was doing.  It was but a natural impression that was made upon him, and yet she was a little annoyed by it.  She was unwilling to speak; she wanted to make Frederick understand what kind of person Mr. Thornton was—­but she was tongue-tied.

Mr. Hale went on.  ’He came to offer any assistance in his power, I believe.  But I could not see him.  I told Dixon to ask him if he would like to see you—­I think I asked her to find you, and you would go to him.  I don’t know what I said.’

‘He has been a very agreeable acquaintance, has he not?’ asked Frederick, throwing the question like a ball for any one to catch who chose.

‘A very kind friend,’ said Margaret, when her father did not answer.

Frederick was silent for a time.  At last he spoke: