‘I’ve reckoned for that.  One house mun do for us a’, and the furniture o’ t’other would go a good way.  And men theer mun have their families to keep—­mappen six or seven childer.  God help ‘em!’ said he, more convinced by his own presentation of the facts than by all Margaret had said, and suddenly renouncing the idea, which had but recently formed itself in a brain worn out by the day’s fatigue and anxiety.  ’God help ’em!  North an’ South have each getten their own troubles.  If work’s sure and steady theer, labour’s paid at starvation prices; while here we’n rucks o’ money coming in one quarter, and ne’er a farthing th’ next.  For sure, th’ world is in a confusion that passes me or any other man to understand; it needs fettling, and who’s to fettle it, if it’s as yon folks say, and there’s nought but what we see?’

Mr. Hale was busy cutting bread and butter; Margaret was glad of this, for she saw that Higgins was better left to himself:  that if her father began to speak ever so mildly on the subject of Higgins’s thoughts, the latter would consider himself challenged to an argument, and would feel himself bound to maintain his own ground.  She and her father kept up an indifferent conversation until Higgins, scarcely aware whether he ate or not, had made a very substantial meal.  Then he pushed his chair away from the table, and tried to take an interest in what they were saying; but it was of no use; and he fell back into dreamy gloom.  Suddenly, Margaret said (she had been thinking of it for some time, but the words had stuck in her throat), ’Higgins, have you been to Marlborough Mills to seek for work?’

‘Thornton’s?’ asked he.  ‘Ay, I’ve been at Thornton’s.’

‘And what did he say?’

‘Such a chap as me is not like to see the measter.  Th’ o’erlooker bid me go and be d——­d.’

‘I wish you had seen Mr. Thornton,’ said Mr. Hale.  ’He might not have given you work, but he would not have used such language.’

‘As to th’ language, I’m welly used to it; it dunnot matter to me.  I’m not nesh mysel’ when I’m put out.  It were th’ fact that I were na wanted theer, no more nor ony other place, as I minded.’

‘But I wish you had seen Mr. Thornton,’ repeated Margaret.  ’Would you go again—­it’s a good deal to ask, I know—­but would you go to-morrow and try him?  I should be so glad if you would.’

‘I’m afraid it would be of no use,’ said Mr. Hale, in a low voice.  ‘It would be better to let me speak to him.’  Margaret still looked at Higgins for his answer.  Those grave soft eyes of hers were difficult to resist.  He gave a great sigh.

‘It would tax my pride above a bit; if it were for mysel’, I could stand a deal o’ clemming first; I’d sooner knock him down than ask a favour from him.  I’d a deal sooner be flogged mysel’; but yo’re not a common wench, axing yo’r pardon, nor yet have yo’ common ways about yo’.  I’ll e’en make a wry face, and go at it to-morrow.  Dunna yo’ think that he’ll do it.  That man has it in him to be burnt at the stake afore he’ll give in.  I do it for yo’r sake, Miss Hale, and it’s first time in my life as e’er I give way to a woman.  Neither my wife nor Bess could e’er say that much again me.’