‘What must you think of me, madam?’ asked Margaret, throwing her head back with proud disdain, till her throat curved outwards like a swan’s.  ’You can say nothing more, Mrs. Thornton.  I decline every attempt to justify myself for anything.  You must allow me to leave the room.’

And she swept out of it with the noiseless grace of an offended princess.  Mrs. Thornton had quite enough of natural humour to make her feel the ludicrousness of the position in which she was left.  There was nothing for it but to show herself out.  She was not particularly annoyed at Margaret’s way of behaving.  She did not care enough for her for that.  She had taken Mrs. Thornton’s remonstrance to the full as keenly to heart as that lady expected; and Margaret’s passion at once mollified her visitor, far more than any silence or reserve could have done.  It showed the effect of her words.  ‘My young lady,’ thought Mrs. Thornton to herself; ’you’ve a pretty good temper of your own.  If John and you had come together, he would have had to keep a tight hand over you, to make you know your place.  But I don’t think you will go a-walking again with your beau, at such an hour of the day, in a hurry.  You’ve too much pride and spirit in you for that.  I like to see a girl fly out at the notion of being talked about.  It shows they’re neither giddy, nor hold by nature.  As for that girl, she might be hold, but she’d never be giddy.  I’ll do her that justice.  Now as to Fanny, she’d be giddy, and not bold.  She’s no courage in her, poor thing!’

Mr. Thornton was not spending the morning so satisfactorily as his mother.  She, at any rate, was fulfilling her determined purpose.  He was trying to understand where he stood; what damage the strike had done him.  A good deal of his capital was locked up in new and expensive machinery; and he had also bought cotton largely, with a view to some great orders which he had in hand.  The strike had thrown him terribly behindhand, as to the completion of these orders.  Even with his own accustomed and skilled workpeople, he would have had some difficulty in fulfilling his engagements; as it was, the incompetence of the Irish hands, who had to be trained to their work, at a time requiring unusual activity, was a daily annoyance.

It was not a favourable hour for Higgins to make his request.  But he had promised Margaret to do it at any cost.  So, though every moment added to his repugnance, his pride, and his sullenness of temper, he stood leaning against the dead wall, hour after hour, first on one leg, then on the other.  At last the latch was sharply lifted, and out came Mr. Thornton.

‘I want for to speak to yo’, sir.’

‘Can’t stay now, my man.  I’m too late as it is.’

‘Well, sir, I reckon I can wait till yo’ come back.’