 Chapter 17 North and South This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Laura Iowa, USA North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell Chapter 17 What is a Strike? There are briars besetting every path which call for patient care. There is a cross in every lot and an earnest need for prayer. Margaret went out heavily and unwillingly enough. But the length of a street, yes, the air of a Milton Street, cheered her young blood before she reached her first turning. Her step grew lighter, her lip redder. She began to take notice. Instead of having her thoughts turn so exclusively inward, she saw unusual loiters in the streets, men with their hands in their pockets sauntering along, loud laughing and loud spoken girls clustered together, apparently excited to high spirits and a boisterous independence of temper and behavior. The more ill-looking of the men, the discreditable minority, hung about on the steps of the beer houses and gin shops, smoking and commenting pretty freely on every passer-by. Margaret disliked the prospect of the long walk through these streets before she came to the fields which she had planned to reach. Instead, she would go and see Bessie Higgins. It would not be so refreshing as a quiet country walk, but still it would perhaps be doing the kinder thing. Nicholas Higgins was sitting by the fire smoking as she went in. Bessie was rocking herself on the other side. Nicholas took the pipe out of his mouth and standing up, pushed his chair towards Margaret. He leaned against the chimney piece in a lounging attitude while she asked Bessie how she was. He was rather down in the mouth in regards to spirits, but he was better in health. Her doesn't like this strike. Her's the deal too much set on peace and quietness at any price. This is the third strike I've seen, said she, sighing as if that was answer and explanation enough. Well, third time pays for all. See if we don't dang the masters this time. See if they don't come and beg us to come back at our own price. That's all. I missed it a fourth time, my grandchild, but this time we laid our plans desperate deep. Why do you strike, ask Margaret? Striking is leaving off work to get your own rate of wages, is it not? You must not wonder at my ignorance where I come from. I never heard of a strike. I wish I were there, said Bessie weirdly, but it's not for me to get sick and tired of strikes. This is the last I'll see. Before it's ended, I shall be in the great city, the holy Jerusalem, who's so full of the life to come, who cannot think of the present, now I, you see, am bound to do the best I can here. I think a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, so then's the different views we take on the strike question. But, said Margaret, if the people strike as you call it, where I come from, as they are mostly all field labors, the seed would not be sown, the hay got in, the corn reaped. Well, said he. He had resumed his pipe and put his well in the form of an interrogation. Why, she went on, what would become of the farmers? He puffed away, I reckon they'd have either to give up their farms or to give fair rate of wage. Suppose they could not, or would not do the last. They could not give up their farms all in a minute, however much they might wish to do so. But they would have no hay, no corn to sell that year, and where would the money come from to pay the labor's wages the next? Still puffing away at last, he said, I know not of your ways down south. I have heared there a pack of spiritless, downtrodden men well acclimed to death, too much days with clemen to know when they're put upon. Now it's not so here, we known when we're put upon, and we too much blood in us to stand it. We just take our hands from our looms and say, you may clem us, but you'll not put upon us, my masters, and be dang to them, they shan't this time. I wish I lived down south, said Bessie. There's a deal to bear there, said Margaret, there are sorrows to bear everywhere, there's very hard bodily labor to be gone through, with very little food to give strength. But it's out of doors, said Bessie, and away from the endless, endless noise and sickening heat. It's sometimes in heavy rain, and sometimes in bitter cold, a young person can stand it, but an old man gets wracked with rheumatism and bent and withered before his time. Yet he must just work on the same, or else go to the workhouse. I thought you was so taken with the ways of the south country. So I am, said Margaret, smiling a little, as she found herself thus caught. I only mean, Bessie, there's good and bad in everything in this world. And as you felt the bad up here, I thought it but fair you should know the bad down there. And you say they never strike down there, asked Nicholas abruptly. No, said Margaret, I think they have too much sense. And I think, replied he, dashing the ashes out of his pipe with so much venomance that it broke. It's not that they have too much sense, but they have too little spirit. Oh father, said Bessie, what have you gained by striking? Think of that first strike when mother died, you had to climb, you the worst of all. And yet many a one went in every week at the same wage, till all were gone that there was work for, and some beggars went all their lives that after. I said he, that their strike was badly managed. Folks got in the management of it, as were either fools or not true men. Y'all see, it'll be different this time. But all this time you've not told me what you're striking for, said Margaret again. Y'all see, there's five or six masters who have set themselves again paying the wages they've been paying these two years past, and flourishing upon, and getting richer upon. And now they come to us and say where to take less, and we won't. We'll just climb them to death first and see who'll work for them then. And so you plan dying in order to be revenged upon them? No, said he, I do not. I just look forward to the chance of dying at my post sooner than yield. That's what folk call fine and honorable and a soldier, and why not in a poor weaver chap? But said Margaret, a soldier dies in the cause of the nation, in the cause of others. He laughed grimly, my last said he, you but a young wench. But don't you think I can keep three people? That's Bessie and Mary and me on sixteen shilling a week. Don't you think it's for myself I'm striking work at this time? Just as much in the cause of others as John soldier, only my happen the cause he dies for is just that of somebody he never clipped eyes on, nor heared on all his born days. While I take up John Boucher's cause as lives next door but one, with the sickly wife and eight children, none of them factory age, and I don't take up his cause only, though he's a poor good for naught, as can only manage two looms at a time. But I take up the cause of justice, why are we to have less wage now, I ask, than two years ago? Don't ask me said Margaret, I am very ignorant. Ask some of your masters, surely they will give you a reason for it, it is not merely an arbitrary decision of theirs come to without reason. You're just a foreigner and nothing more said he contemptuously. Much you know about it, ask the masters, they tell us to mind their own business and they mind theirs, our business being you understand, to take the baited wage and be thankful, and their business to bait us to the point, to swell their profits, that's what it is. But said Margaret, determined not to give way, although she saw she was irritating him, the state of trade may be such as not to enable them to give you the same remuneration. State of trade, that's just a piece of masters humbug, it's rate of wages I was talking of, the masters keep the state of trade in their own hands and just walk it forward like a bugaboo, to frighten naughty children with them to being good. I'll tell you it's their part, their cue as some folks call it, to beat us down to swell their fortunes and it's ours to stand up and fight hard, not for ourselves alone but for them round about us for justice and fair play. We help to make their profits and we ought to help spend them, it's not that we want their brass so much time, as we've done many a time before, we ain't gettin' money laid by, and we're resolved to stand and fall together, not a man on us will go in for less wage than the union says is all due, so I say hooray for the strike and let Thornton and Slickson and Hampa and their set look to it. Thornton said Margaret, Mr. Thornton of Marble Street? Aye, Thornton of Marble Mill as we call him. He is one of the masters you are striving with, is he not? What sort of master is he? Did you ever see a bulldog? Said a bulldog on hind legs and dressed him up in coat and breeches and you just gettin' John Thornton. Nay, said Margaret laughing, I deny that. Mr. Thornton is plain enough but he's not like a bulldog with his short broad nose and upper lip. No, not in luck, a grantcha but let John Thornton get a hold on the notion and he'll stick to it like a bulldog. You might pull him away with a pitch fork or leave go. He's worth fighting with, is John Thornton. As for Slickson, I take it. Some of these days he'll weed on his men back with bare promises that they'll just get cheated out of as soon as they're in his power again. He'll work his fines on them all warrant. He's as slippery as an eel he is. He's like a cat, as sleek and cunning and fierce. It'll never be an honest up-and-down fight with him as it will be with Thornton. Thornton's as dour as a doornail and obstinate chap, every inch on him. Thou, bulldog. Poor Bessy, said Margaret turning around to her. You sigh over it all. You don't like struggling and fighting with us, do you? No, said she heavily. I'm sick on it. I could have wished to have had other talk about me in my latter days than just the clashing and clanging and clattering that has worried all my life long about work and wages and masters and hands and nobsticks. Poor Winch, latter days be fared that are looking aside better already for a little stir and change. I shall be a deal here to make it more lively for thee. Tobacco smoke chokes me, said she queerlessly. Then I'll never smoke no more in the house, he replied tenderly, but why dost thou not tell me afore thou foolish Winch? She did not speak for a while, and then so low that only Margaret heard her. I reckon he'll want all the comfort he can get out of either pipe or drink one. Her father went out of doors evidently to finish his pipe. Bessie said passionately, Now I am not I a fool, am I not Miss? There I knew I ought for to keep father at home and away from the folk that are always ready for to tempt a man in time of strike to go drink, and there my tongue must knees quirl with that pipe of his, and he'll know he will, as often as he wants to smoke, and nobody knows where it'll end. I wish I'd let myself be choked first. But does your father drink, asked Margaret? No, not to say drink, replied she, still in that same wild excited tone. But what win ye have, there are days with you, as with other folk I suppose, when you get up and go through the hours just longing for a bit of change, a bit of Philip as it were. I know I had gone and bought a four pounder out of another baker's shop too common on such days, just because I sickened at the thought of going on forever with the same sight in my eyes, the same sound in my ears, and the same taste in my mouth, and the same thought, or no thought for that matter, in my head day after day forever. I've longed for to be a man to go spring, even if we're only a tramp to some new place in search of work, and father, all men, have it stronger in them than me, to get tired of sameness and work, forever. And what is them to do? Is little blame to them if they do go in the gin shop for to make their blood flow quicker and more lively, and see things they never see before their time. Pictures, and looking glass, and such like. But father never was a drunkard, though maybe he's got worse for drink now and then. Only you see. And now her voice took a mournful pleading tone. At times the strike there's much to knock a man down, for all they start so hopefully. And where's the comfort to and then they get tired out with being angry and mad. And maybe had done things in their passion they'd be glad to forget. Bless your sweet pitiful face, but you do not know what a strike is yet. Come, Bessie said Margaret, I won't say you're exaggerating because I don't know enough about it, but perhaps as you're not well, you're only looking on one side and there is another, better to be looked to. It's all well enough for you to say so, who have lived in pleasant green places all your life long, and never known want or care or wickedness either, for that matter. Take care, said Margaret, her cheek flushing and her eye lightning, how you judge, Bessie, I shall go home to my mother, who is so ill, so ill, Bessie, that there's no outlet but death out of the prison of her great suffering. And yet I must speak cheerfully to my father, who has no notion of a real state and to whom the knowledge must come gradually. The only person, the only one who could sympathize with me and help me, whose presence could comfort my mother more than any other earthly thing is falsely accused, would run the risk of death if he came to see his dying mother. This, I tell you, only you, Bessie, you must not mention it. No other person in Milton, hardly any other person in England knows. Have I not care? Do I not know anxiety, though I go about well dressed and have food enough? Oh, Bessie, God is just, and our lots are well portioned out by him, although none but he knows the bitterness of our souls. I ask your pardon, replied Bessie humbly. Sometimes, when I thought of my life and the little pleasure I've had in it, I believe that may be I was one of those doomed to die by the falling of a star from heaven, and the name of the star is called Wormwood, and the third part of the waters became Wormwood and men died of the waters because they were made bitter. One can bear pain sorrow better if one thinks it has been prophesied long before for one. Somehow, then it seems as if my pain was needed for the fulfillment. Other ways, it seems all sent for nothing. Nay, Bessie thinks, said Margaret, God does not willingly afflict, don't dwell so much on the prophecies, but read the clearer parts of the Bible. I dare say it would be but where would I hear such grand words of promise, hear to all anything so far different from this dreary world and this town above as in revelations. Many is the time I've repeated the verses in the seventh chapter to myself just for the sound. It's as good as an organ, and it's different from every day too. No, I cannot give up revelations, it gives me more comfort than any other Bible. Let me come and read you some of my favorite chapters. I said she could really come. Father will maybe hear you. He's divved with my talking. He says it's all not to do with the things of today, and that's his business. Where's your sister? Gone, question cutting. I would lot the letter go, but somehow we must live and the Union can't afford it. Now I must go. You have done me good, Bessie. I done you good. Yes, I came here very sad, and rather to have to thank my own cause for grief was the only one in the world, and now I hear how you have had to bear for years, and that makes me stronger. Bleshia, I thought all the good doing was on the side of the gentle folk. I shall get I think I can do good to you. You won't do it if you think about it, but you only puzzle yourself if you do. That's one comfort. You're not like no one I ever seed. I don't know what to make of you. Nor I have myself. Goodbye. Bessie stilled her rocking to gaze after her. I wonder if there are many folk like her down south. She's like a country air somehow. She freshens me up above a bit. Who'd have thought that face as bright and as strong as the angel I dream of could have known the sorrow she speaks on. I wonder how she'll sin. All on us must sin. I think a deal on her, for sure. But father does the like I see, and marry even. It's not often who stood up enough to notice how much. End of Chapter 17 Chapter 18 North and South This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Helen Morks, Worcestershire, England North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell Chapter 18 Likes and Dislikes My heart revolts within me, and two voices make themselves audible within my bosom. Wallenstein On Margaret's return home she found two letters on the table. One was a note for her mother. The other, which had come by the post was evidently from her aunt's shore covered with foreign post-marks thin, silvery and wrestling. She took up the other and was examining it when her father came in suddenly. So your mother is tired and gone to bed early. I'm afraid such a thundery day was not the best in the world for the doctor to see her. What did he say? Dixon tells me he spoke to you about her. Margaret hesitated. Her father's looks became more grave and anxious. He does not think her seriously ill. No, not at present. She needs care, he says. He was very kind, and he said he would call again and see how his medicines worked. Only care? Did he not recommend a change of air? He didn't say this smoky town was doing her any harm, did he, Margaret? No, not a word, she replied gravely. He was anxious, I think. Doctors have that anxious manner. It's professional, said he. Margaret saw in her father's nervous ways that the first impression of possible danger was made upon his mind in spite of all his making light of what she told him. He could not forget the subject, could not pass from it to other things. He kept recurring to it through the evening with an unwillingness to receive even the slightest unfavourable idea, which made Margaret inexpressibly sad. This letter is from Aunt Shaw, Papa. She has got to Naples and finds it too hot so she has taken apartments at Sorrento. But I don't think she likes Italy. He did not say anything about diet, did he? It was to be nourishing and digestible. Mama's appetite is pretty good, I think. Yes, and that's what makes it all the more strange she should have thought of speaking about diet. I asked him, Papa. Another pause. Then Margaret went on. Aunt Shaw says she has sent me some coral ornaments, Papa. But, I did Margaret half smiling, she's afraid the Milton dissenters won't appreciate them. She has got all her ideas of dissenters from the Quakers, has not she? If ever you hear or notice that your mother wishes for anything, be sure you let me know. I'm so afraid she does not tell me always what she would like. Pray, see after that girl Mrs. Thornton named. If we had a good efficient house servant, Dixon could be constantly with her, and I'd answer for it, we'd soon set her up amongst us, if care will do it. She's been very much tired of late with the hot weather and the difficulty of getting a servant. A little rest will put her quite to rights, eh, Margaret? I hope so, said Margaret. But so sadly that her father took notice of it, he pinched her cheek. Come, if you look so pale as this, I must rouge you up a little. Take care of yourself, child, or you'll be wanting the doctor next. But he could not settle to anything that evening. He was continually going backwards and forwards on laborious tiptoe to see if his wife was still asleep. Margaret's heart ached at his restlessness, his trying to stifle and strangle the hideous fear that was looming out of the dark places of his heart. He came back at last, somewhat comforted. She's awake now, Margaret. She quite smiled as she saw me standing by her, just an old smile, and she says she feels refreshed and ready for tea. Where's that note for her? She wants to see it. I'll read it to her when you make the tea. The note proved to be a formal invitation from Mrs. Thornton to Mr., Mrs. and Miss. Hale to dinner on the twenty-first instant. Margaret was surprised to find an acceptance contemplated after all she had learnt of sad probabilities during the day. But so it was. The idea of her husband and daughter going to this dinner had quite captivated Mrs. Hale's fancy even before Margaret had heard the contents of the note. It was an event to diversify the monotony of the Inverlead's life, and she clung to the idea of their going with even fretful pertinacity when Margaret objected. Nay, Margaret, if she wishes it, I'm sure we'll both go willingly. She never would wish it unless she felt herself really stronger, really better than we thought she was. Eh, Margaret? said Mr. Hale anxiously as she prepared to write the note of acceptance the next day. Eh, Margaret? questioned he, with a nervous motion of his hands. It seemed cruel to refuse him the comfort he craved for, and besides his passionate refusal to admit the existence of fear almost inspired Margaret herself with hope. I do think she is better since last night, said she. Her eyes look brighter and her complexion clearer. God bless you! said her father earnestly. But is it true? Yesterday was so sultry everyone felt ill. It was a most unlucky day to see her on. So he went away to his day's duties, now increased by the preparation of some lectures he had promised to deliver to the working people at a neighbouring lyceum. He had chosen ecclesiastical architecture as his subject, rather more in accordance with his own taste and knowledge than as falling in with a character of the place or the desire for particular kinds of information among those whom he was to lecture. Margaret herself, being in debt, was only too glad to get a gratis course from an educated and accomplished man like Mr. Hale let the subject be what it might. Well, mother, asked Mr. Thornton that night, who have accepted your invitations for the twenty-first? Fanny, where are those notes? The Slickson's accept, Collingbrook's accept, Stevens's accept, Brown's decline, Hale's, father and daughter come, mother too great an invalid, McPherson's come, and Mr. Horseville and Mr. Young. I was thinking of asking the porters, as the Browns can't come. Very good. Do you know I'm really afraid Mrs. Hale is very far from well from what Dr. Donaldson says. It's strange of them to accept a dinner invitation if she's very ill, said Fanny. I didn't say very ill, said her brother, rather sharply. I only said very far from well. They may not know it, either. And then he suddenly remembered that from what Dr. Donaldson had told him. Margaret, at any rate, must be very aware of the exact state of the case. Very probably they are quite aware of what you said yesterday, John, of the great advantage it would be to them, to Mr. Hale, I mean, to be introduced to such peoples in Brooks. I'm sure that motive will not influence them. No, I think I understand how it is. John, said Fanny, laughing in her little, weak, nervous way. How you profess to understand these hails, and how you will never allow that we can know anything about them. Are they really so very different to most people one meets with? She did not mean to vex him, but, if she had intended it, would not have done it more thoroughly. He chafed in silence, however, not daining to reply to her question. They do not seem to me out of the common way, said Mrs. Thornton. He appears a worthy kind of man enough, rather too simple for trade. So perhaps it's as well he should have been a clergyman first and now a teacher. She's a bit of a fine lady with her individualism. And as for the girl, she's the only one who puzzles me to think about her, which I don't often do. She seems to have a great notion of giving herself airs, and I can't make out why. I could almost fancy she thinks herself too good for her company at times, and yet they're not rich. From all I can hear they never have been. And she's not a cumplish mama. She can't play. Go on, Fanny, what else does she want to bring her up to your standard? Nay, John, said his mother, that speech of Fanny's did no harm. I myself heard Miss Hale say she could not play. If you would let us alone, we could perhaps like her and see her merits. I'm sure I never could, murmured Fanny, protected by her mother. Mr. Thornton heard, but did not care to reply. He was walking up and down the dining-room, wishing that his mother would order candles and allow him to set to work on reading or writing, and so put a stop to the conversation. But he never thought of interfering in any of the small domestic regulations that Mrs. Thornton observed in habitual remembrance of her old economies. Mother, said he, stopping and bravely speaking the truth, I wish she would like Miss Hale. Why are she startled by his earnest yet tender manner? You're never thinking of marrying her, a girl without a penny. She would never have me, said he with a short laugh. No, I don't think she would, answered his mother. She laughed in my face when I praised her for speaking out something Mr. Bell had said in your favour. I like the girl for doing it so frankly, for it made me sure she had no thought of you. And the next minute she vexed me so by seeming to think, well, never mind. Right in saying she's too good an opinion of herself to think of you, the source you jade, I'd like to know where she'd find better. If these words hurt her son, the dusky light prevented him from betraying any emotion. In a minute, he came up quite cheerfully to his mother, and putting one hand lightly on her shoulder, said, well, I'm just as much convinced of the truth of what you have been saying as you can be, with no thought or expectation of ever asking her to be my wife, you'll believe me for the future that I am quite disinterested in speaking about her. I foresee trouble for that girl, perhaps want of motherly care, and I only wish you to be ready to be a friend to her in case she needs one. Now, Fanny, said he, I trust you have delicacy enough to understand that it is great an injury to Miss Hale as to me, that she would think it greater, to suppose that I have any reason more than I now give for begging you and my mother to show her every kindly attention. I cannot forgive her her pride, said his mother. I will befriend her, if there is need for your asking, John. I would befriend Jezebel herself if you ask me. But this girl, who turns up and knows it as all, who turns up and knows at you, nay, mother, I have never yet put myself, I have never to put myself within the reach of her contempt. Contempt indeed! One of Mrs. Thornton's expressive snorts. Don't go on speaking of Miss Hale, John, if I have to be kind to her. When I am with her, I don't know if I like or dislike her most, but when I think of her and hear you talk of her, I hate her. I can see she's given herself airs to you as well as if you told me out. And if she has, said he, and then he pulls for a moment, then went on. I'm not a lad to be cowed by a proud look from a woman, or care for her misunderstanding me in my position, I can laugh at it. To be sure, and at her too with her fine notions and haughty tosses. I only wonder why you talk so much about her then, said Fanny. I'm sure I'm tired enough to object. Well, said her brother, with a shade of bitterness, suppose we find some more agreeable subject. What do you say to a strike by way of something pleasant to talk about? Have the hands actually turned out? asked Mrs. Thornton with vivid interest. Hampers men are actually out. Mime work out their week through fear of being prosecuted for breach of contract. The law expenses would have been more than the hands themselves were worth. A set of ungrateful noughts, said his mother. To be sure, but I had shown them how I keep my word and how I mean them to keep theirs. They know me by this time. Slickson's men are off. Pretty certainly won't spend money in getting them punished. We're in for a turn out, mother. I hope there are not many orders in hand. Of course there are. They know that well enough. But they don't quite understand all, though they think they do. What do you mean, John? Candles had been brought, and Fanny had taken up her interminable piece of worsted work over which she was yawning, throwing herself back in her chair from time to time to gaze out vacantly and think of nothing at her ease. Why? said he. The Americans are getting their yarns so into the general market that our only chance is producing them at a lower rate. If we can't, we may shut up shop at once, and hands and masters go alike on tramp. Yet these fools go back to the prices paid three years ago. Nay, some of their leaders quote Dickinson's prices now. Though they know as well as we do that what with fines pressed out of their wages as no honourable man would extort them, and other ways for which I for one would scorn to use, the real rate of wage paid at Dickinson's is less than at ours. Upon my word, mother, I wish that old combination laws were in force. It is too bad to find out that fools ignorant and wayward men like these, just by uniting their weak, silly heads, are to rule over the fortunes of those who bring all the wisdom that knowledge and experience, and often painful thought and anxiety, can give. The next thing will be, indeed we're all about to come to it now, that we shall have to go and ask, stand hat in hand, and humbly ask the secretaries of the Spinner's Union to be so kind as to furnish us with labour at their own price. That's what they want, they who haven't the sense to see that if we don't get a fair share of the profits to compensate us and tear here in England, that we can move off to some other country, and that, what with home and foreign competition, we are none of us likely to make above the fair price, and may be thankful enough if we can get that in an average number of years. Can't you get hands from Ireland? I wouldn't keep these fellows a day. I teach them that I was master and could employ what servants I liked. Yes, to be sure I can, and I will, too, if they go on long. It will be trouble and expense, and I fear there will be some danger, but I will do it rather than give in. If there is to be all this extra expense, I'm sorry we're giving a dinner just now. So am I, not because of the expense, but because I shall have much to think about and many unexpected calls on my time. But we must have had Mr. Horseful, and he does not stay in Milton Long, and as for the others we owe them dinners, and it's all one trouble. He kept on with his restless walk, not speaking any more, but drawing a deep breath from time to time, as if endeavouring to throw off some annoying thought. Fanny asked her mother numerous small questions, all having nothing to do with a subject which a wiser person would have perceived was occupying her attention. Consequently, she received many short answers. She was not sorry when, at ten o'clock, the servants filed in to prayers. These her mother always read, first reading a chapter. They were now working steadily through the Old Testament. When prayers were ended, and his mother had wished him good night with that long, steady look of hers which conveyed no expression of the tenderness that was in her heart, but yet had the intensity of a blessing, so that the haunt and continued his walk. All his business plans had received a check, a sudden pull-up from this approaching turnout. The forethought of many anxious hours was thrown away, utterly wasted by their insane folly, which would injure themselves even more than him, though no one could set any limit to the mischief they were doing. And these were the men who thought themselves fitted to direct the masters in the disposal of their capital. Hamper had said only this very day, that if he were ruined by the strike, he would start life again, comforted by the conviction that those who brought it on were in a worse predicament than he himself, for he had head as well as hands, while they had only hands. And if they drove away their market, they could not follow it, nor in turn do anything else. But this thought was no consolation to Mr. Thornton. It might be that revenge gave him no pleasure. It might be that he valued the position he had earned with the sweat of his brow so much that he keenly felt it being endangered by the ignorance or folly of others, so keenly that he had no thought to spare for what would be the consequences of their conduct to themselves. He paced up and down, setting his teeth a little now and then. At last it struck two. The candles were flickering in their sockets. He lighted his own muttering to himself. Once and for all they shall know whom they have got to deal with. I can give them a fortnight, no more. If they do not see the madness before the end of that time I must have hands from Ireland. I believe it Slickson's doing confound him in his dodges. He thought he was over-stocked, so he seemed to yield at first when the deputation came to him, and, of course, he only confirmed them in their folly, as he meant to do. That's where it spread from. End of chapter. Chapter 19 North and South This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Anne-Marie, South Townside, United Kingdom North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell Chapter 19 Angel Visits As angels in some brighter dreams call to the soul when man doth sleep, so some strange thoughts transcend our wanted themes, and into glory peep. Henry Vaughn Mrs. Hale was curiously amused and interested by the idea of the Thornton dinner party. She was wondering about the details with something of the simplicity of a little child who wants to have all its anticipated pleasures described beforehand. But the monotonous life led by invalids often makes them like children in as much as they have neither of them any sense of proportion in events and seem each to believe that the walls and curtains which shut in their world and shut out everything else were hidden beyond. Besides, Mrs. Hale had had her vanities as a girl had perhaps unduly felt their mortification when she became a poor clergyman's wife. They had been smothered and kept down, but they were not extinct. And she liked to think of seeing Margaret dressed for a party and discussed what she should wear with an unsettled anxiety that amused Margaret who had been more accustomed to society in her one year in Harley Street than her mother in five and twenty years of Halston. Then you think you shall wear your white silk? Are you sure it will fit? It's nearly a year since Edith was married. Oh, yes, Mama. Mrs. Murray made it, and it's sure to be right. It may be a straw's breadth shorter or longer wasted according to my having grown fat or thin. But I don't think I've altered in the least. Hadn't you better let Dixon see it? It may have gone yellow with lying by. If you like, Mama. But if the worst comes to the worst I have a very nice pink gauze which Aunt Shaw gave me only two or three months before Edith was married. That can't have gone yellow. No, but it may have faded. Well, then I have a green silk. I feel more as if it was the embarrassment of riches. I wish I knew what you ought to wear, said Mrs. Hill nervously. Margaret's manner changed instantly. Shall I go and put them on one after another, Mama? And then you could see which you like best. But, yes, perhaps that will be best. So off Margaret went. She was very much inclined to play some pranks when she was dressed up at such an unusual hour. To make her rich white silk balloon out into a cheese. To retreat backwards from her mother and to make her rich white silk to retreat backwards from her mother as if she were the queen. But when she found that these freaks of hers were regarded as interruptions to the serious business and as such annoyed her mother she became grave and sedate. What had possessed the world, her world, to fidget so about her dress she could not understand. But that very afternoon on naming her engagement to Bessie Higgins a pro pro of the servant she had promised to inquire about Bessie quite roused up at the intelligence. Dear, and are you going to dine at Thornton's at Marlborough Mills? Yes, Bessie, why are you so surprised? Well, I don't know, but they visit with all the first folk in Milton. And you don't think we're quite the first folk in Milton, eh, Bessie? Bessie's cheeks flushed a little at her thought being thus easily read. Oh, said she. You see, they're thinking a deal of money here and I reckon you've not gotten much. No, said Margaret. That's very true. But we are educated people and have lived amongst educated people. Is there anything so wonderful in our being asked to add to dinner by a man who owns himself inferior to my father, by coming to him to be instructed? I don't mean to blame Mr. Thornton. I don't think his assistants, as he was once, could have made themselves what he is. But can you give dinner back in your small house? Thornton's house is three times as big. Well, I think we could manage to give Mr. Thornton a dinner back, as you call it. Perhaps not in such a large room, nor with so many people. But I don't think we thought about it at all in that way. I never thought you'd be dainin' with Thornton's, repeated Bessie. Why, the Mary sell dames there, and the members of Parliament and all? I think I could support the honour of meeting the Mayor of Milton. But them ladies dress so grand, said Bessie, with an anxious look at Margaret's print gown, which her miltern eyes appraised at seven pence a yard. Margaret's face dimpled up into a merry laugh. Thank you, Bessie, for thinking so kindly about my looking nice among all the smart people. But I've plenty of grand gowns. A week ago I should have said there were far too grand for anything I should ever want again. But as I'm to dine at Mr. Thornton's, and perhaps to meet the Mayor, I shall put on my very best gown you may be sure. What win you wear? asked Bessie, somewhat relieved. White silk, said Margaret, a gown I had for a cousin's wedding a year ago. That'll do, said Bessie, falling back in her chair. I should be loth to have you look down upon. Oh, I'll be fine enough if that will save me from being looked down upon in miltern. I wish I could see you dressed up, said Bessie. I reckon you're not what foot would call pretty, you've not read weight enough for that. But don't you know, I had dreamt of you longer for I ever see'd you. Nonsense, Bessie. Aye, but I did. You're very face, looking with your clear steadfast eyes out of the darkness, with your hair blown off from your brow and going out like rays round your forehead which was just as smooth and as straight as it is now, and you always came to give me strength which I seemed to gather out from your deep comfort and eyes and you were dressed in shining Raymond just as you're going to be dressed, so you see it was you. Nay, Bessie, said Margaret gently. It was but a dream. And why may I dream a dream in my affliction as well as others? Did not many a one in the Bible? Aye, and say visions too. Why, even my father thinks a deal of dreams. I tell you again, I saw you as plainly coming swiftly towards me with your hair blown back with the very swiftness of motion, just like the way it grows a little stand-enough lake and the weight sheen and dress on you've gotten to wear. Let me come and see you in it. I want to see you and touch you as in the very deed you were in my dream. My dear Bessie, it is quite a fancy of yours. Fancy or no fancy you've come as I knew you would when I saw your movement in my dream. And when you hear about me I reckon I feel easier in my mind and comforted just as a fire comforts one on a dreary day. You said it were on the twenty first. Please God, I'll come and see you. Oh Bessie, you may come and welcome, but don't talk so it really makes me sorry it does indeed. Then I'll keep it to myself if I bite my tongue out not but what it's true for all that. Margaret was silent at last she said let us talk about it sometimes if you think it true but not now tell me how's your father turned out? I said Bessie heavily in a manner very different from that she had spoken but a minute or two before he and many another all hump as men and many one besides the women are as bad as the men in their savagerness this time food is high and the munt have food for the children I reckon suppose thorn and sent him the dinner out the same money spent on potatoes and meal would keep many a cry and babby quiet and hush up its mother's heart for a bit Don't speak so said Margaret you'll make me feel wicked and guilty in going to this dinner No, said Bessie some's pre-elected some's just feasts and purple and fine linen maybe you're on in them others toil and moil all their lives long and the very dogs are not pitiful in our days as they were in the days of Lazarus but if you ask me to cool your tongue with the tip of my finger I'll come across the great gulf to you just for the thought of what you've been to me here Bessie you're very feverish I can tell it in the touch of your hand as well as in what you're saying it won't be division enough in that time it won't be division enough in that awful day that some of us have been beggars here and some of us have been rich we shall not be judged by that poor accident but by our faithful following of Christ Margaret got up and found some water and soaking her pocket-hanker-chief in it she laid the cool wetness on Bessie's forehead and began to chafe the stone-cold feet Bessie shut her eyes and allowed herself to be soothed at last she said he'd been dived out of your five wits as well as me if you'd had one body after another coming in to ask for father and staying to tell me each one their tale some spoke a deadly hatred and made my blood run cold with the terrible things he said of the masters but more being women kept plainin' plainin' with the tears running down their cheeks and never wiped away no heeded or the price of meat and how their children couldn't sleep at night for the hunger and do they think the strike will mend this asked Margaret the say so replied Bessie the do say trade has been good for long and the masters has made no end of money how much father doesn't know but in course the union does and as is natural the wanton the share of the profits now that the food is gettin' dear the union says they'll not be doin' that duty if they don't make the masters give them that share but masters is gettin' you up a hand somehow and I'm feared they'll keep it now and evermore it's like the great battle at Armageddon the way they keep on grinnin' and fightin' at each other to leave and wild the fight they are picked off into the pit just then Nicholas Higgins came in he caught his daughters last words I and I'll fight on too and I'll get it this time it'll not take long for to make them give in for they're gettin' a pretty lot of orders all under contract and they'll soon find out they'd better give us our 5% than lose the profit they'll gain let alone the fine for not fulfilling the contract my masters I know who'll win Margaret fancied from his manner that he must have been drinking not so much from what he said as from the excited way in which he spoke and she was rather confirmed in this idea by the evident anxiety Bessie showed to hasten her departure Bessie said to her the 21st that's Thursday week I may come and see your dress for Thornton's I reckon what time is your dinner before Margaret could answer Higgins broke out Thornton's I'd gone to Dynard Thornton's asked him to give you a bumper to the success of his orders by the 21st I reckon he'll be potted in his brains how to get him done in time tell him the 700 will come marching into Marlborough Mills the morning after he gives the 5% and will help him through his contract in no time you'll have them all there my master, Hamper he's one of the old fashioned sort near me to man bout an author a curse I should think he were going to die if he spoke to me civil but at the roll he's barks worse than he's bite and you may tell him one of his turnouts said so if you like but you'll have a lot of prize mill owners at Thornton's I should like to get a speech of them when they're a bit inclined to sit still after dinner and couldn't have run for the life of them I'd tell them he mined I'd speak up again the hard way they're driving on us goodbye said Margaret hastily goodbye Bessie I shall look to see you on the 21st if you're well enough the medicines and treatment which Dr. Donaldson had ordered for Mrs. Hale did her so much good at first that not only she herself but Margaret began to hope that he might have been mistaken and that she could recover permanently as for Mr. Hale although he had never had an idea of the serious nature of their apprehensions he triumphed over their fears with an evident relief which proved how much his glimpse into the nature of them had affected him only Dixon croaked forever into Margaret's ear however Margaret defied the raven and would hope they needed this gleam of brightness indoors for out of doors even to their uninstructed eyes there was a gloomy brooding appearance of discontent Mr. Hale had his own acquaintances among the working men and was depressed with their earnestly tall tales of suffering and long endurance they would have scorned to speak of what they had to bear to anyone who might from his position have understood it without their words but here was this man from a distant county who was perplexed by the workings of the system into the midst of which he was thrown which was eager to make him a judge and to bring witness of his own causes for irritation then Mr. Hale brought all his budget of grievances and laid it before Mr. Thornton for him with his experience as a master to arrange them and explain their origin which he always did on sound economical principles showing that as trade was conducted there must always be a waxing prosperity and that in the waning a certain number of masters as well as of men must go down into ruin and be no more seen among the ranks of the happy and prosperous he spoke as if this consequence was so entirely logical that neither employers nor employed had any right to complain if it became their fate the employer to turn aside from the race he could no longer run with a bit of sense of incompetency wounded in the struggle trampled down by his fellows in their haste to get rich slighted where he once was honoured humbly asking for instead of bestowing employment with the lordly hand of course speaking so of the fate that as a master might be his own in the fluctuations of commerce he was not likely to have more sympathy with that of the workmen who were passed by in the swift merciless improvement or alteration he would faint lie down and quietly die out of the world that needed them not but felt as if they could never rest in their graves for the clinging cries of the beloved and helpless they would leave behind who envied the power of the wild bird that can feed her young with her very heart's blood Margaret's whole soul rose up against him while he reasoned in this way as if commerce were everything nothing she could hardly thank him for the individual kindness which brought him that very evening to offer her for the delicacy which made him understand that he must offer her privately every convenience for illness that his own wealth or his mother's foresight had caused them to accumulate in their household and which as he learned from Dr. Donaldson Mrs. Hale might possibly require his presence after the way he had spoken his bringing before her the doom which he was vainly trying to persuade herself might yet be averted from her mother all conspired to set Margaret's teeth on edge as she looked at him and listened to him what business had he to be the only person except Dr. Donaldson and Dixon admitted to the awful secret which he held shut up in the most dark and sacred recess of her heart not daring to look at it unless she invoked heavenly strength to bear the sight that someday soon she should cry aloud for her mother and no answer would come out of the blank dumb darkness yet he knew all she saw it in his pitying eyes she heard it in his grave and tremulous voice how reconcile those eyes that voice with the hard reasoning dry insolous way in which he laid down axioms of trade and serenely followed them out to their full consequences the discord jarred upon her inexpressibly the more because of the gathering war of which he heard from Bessie to be sure Nicholas Higgins the father spoke differently he had been appointed a committee man and said that he knew secrets of which the exoteric knew nothing he said this more expressly and particularly on the very day before Mrs. Thornton's dinner party when Margaret going in to speak to Bessie found him arguing the point with Boucher the neighbour of whom she had frequently heard mention as by turns exciting Higgins compassion as an unskillful workman with a large family depending upon him for support and at other times enraging his more energetic and sanguine neighbour by his want of what the latter called spirit it was very evident that Higgins was in a passion when Margaret entered Boucher stood with both hands on the rather high mantelpiece swaying himself a little on the support which his arms thus placed gave him and looking wildly into the fire with a kind of despair that irritated Higgins even while it went to his heart Bessie was rocking herself violently backwards and forwards as was her want Margaret knew by this time when she was agitated her sister Mary was tying on her bonnet in great clumsy bows as suited her great clumsy fingers to go to her fusty and cuddling blubbering out loud the while and evidently longing to be away from a scene that distressed her Margaret came in upon this scene she stood for a moment at the door then her finger on her lips she stole to a seat on the squab near Bessie Nicholas saw her come in and greeted her with a gruff but not unfriendly nod Mary hurried out of the house catching gladly at the open door and crying aloud when she got away from her father's presence it was only John Boucher that took no notice whatever who came in and who went out it's no you Higgins her cannot live long at this and has just sinking away not for wanting to meet herself but because her cannot stand the sight of the little ones Clemen Aye, Clemen five shall in a week may do well enough for thee who but two mouths to fill and one an Emma Wenchuk and well here in her own meat but it's Clemen to us and I tell thee plain if her dies as I'm feared I will for we've getting the five percent I'll fling the money back to the master's face and say be dumb to you be dumb to the whole cruel world of you that couldn't have leave me the best wife that ever bore children to a man and look thee lad I'll hate thee and the whole pack of the union Aye and chase you through heaven when we hadered I will lad I will if you're leading me astray of this matter so said's Nicholas on Wednesday's tonight I know it's Tuesday the second week that a four or four night would have the masters come and beg into us to take back our work at our own wage and times nearly up and there's our little Jack lying in a bed too weak to cry but just every now and then summing up his heart for want of food our little Jack I tell thee lad has never looked up since he were born and I loves him as if he were a very life as he is for I reckon he'll cost me that precious price our little Jack awakened me each morn with puttin' his sweet little lips to me great rough buff face and seekin' a smooth place to kiss and he lies clemin' hear the deep sobs choke the poor man and Nicholas looked up with eyes brim full of tears to Margaret before he could gain courage to speak how'd up man thy little Jack shall know Clem are her gettin' brass and we'll go buy the chap a supper milk and a good four pounder this very minute what's mines then sure enough if those do want only don't lose heart man continued he as he fumbled in a teapot for what money he had I'll lay you my heart and soul we'll win for all this it's but bearing on one more week and you just say the way the masters have come round prayin' on us to come back to our mills and the union that's to say ah we'll take care you've enough for the children and the missus so don't turn feigned heart and go to the tyrants to seekin' work the man turned round at these words turned round a face so white and gaunt and tear furrowed and hopeless that it's very calm forced Margaret to weep you know well that a worse a tyrant than here the masters were says Clem to death and say a more Clem to death ay you dare go again the union you know it well Nicholas for you're wonnin' em you may be kind heart each separate but once banded together you've no more pity for a man than a wild hunger maddened wolf Nicholas had his hand on the lock of the door he stopped and turned round on Boucher close following so help me God man alive if I think not I'm doin' best for thee and for all in us if I'm goin' wrong when I think I'm goin' right it's their sin where I am in my ignorance I have thought till my brains ached believe me John I have and I say again there's no help for us but havin' faith in the union they'll win the day say if they done it not one word had Margaret or Bessie spoken they had hardly uttered the sighing that the eyes of each called to the other to bring up from the depths of her heart at last Bessie said I never thought to hear father call on God again but you heard him say so help me God yes said Margaret let me bring you what money I can spare let me bring you a little food for that poor man's children don't let them know it comes from anyone but your father it will be but little Bessie laid back without taking any notice of what Margaret said she did not cry she only quivered up her breath my heart streamed dry your tears she said Boch has been in these days past telling me of his fears and his troubles he's put a weak kind of chap I know but he's a man for all that and though I've been angry many a time before now were him and his wife and you no more know him how to manage yet you see all folks isn't wise yet God lets them live I and gives them someone to love and be loved by just as good as Solomon and if sorrow comes to them they love it hurts them as sore as air it did Solomon I can't make it out perhaps it's as well such a one as Boch has the union to see after him but I'd just like to see the men as make the union and put them one by one face to face with Boch'er I reckon if they heard him they'd tell him if I caught him one by one he might go back and get what he could for his work even if it weren't so much as they ordered Margaret sat utterly silent how was she ever to go away into comfort and forget that man's voice with the tone of unutterable agony more by far than his words of what he had to suffer she took out her purse she had not much in it of what she could call her own but what she had she put into Bessie's hand without speaking thank you there's many in him getting them more and is not so bad off at least Wiz does not show it as he does but father won't let them want now he knows Bouch has been pulled down with his children and her being so cranky and all the good porn has gone this last 12 months you're not to think we're letting them claim for all we're a bit pressed ourselves if neighbors doesn't see after neighbors I don't know who will Bessie seemed almost afraid lest Margaret should think that they had not the will and to a certain degree the power of helping one wasn't regarded as having a claim upon them besides she went on father is sure and positive the masters must give in within these next few days that they can hold on much longer but I thank you all the same I thank you for me sell as much as for Boucher for it just makes my heart warm to you more and more Bessie seemed much quieter today but fearfully languid and exhausted as she finished speaking she looked so faint and weary that Margaret became alarmed it's not said Bessie it's not death yet I had a fear for night with dreams or somewhat like dreams for our way to wake and I'm all in a swooned in days today only young poor chap made me alive again no it's not death yet but death is not far off I cover me up and I'll maybe sleep if the cough will let me good night good afternoon my pen I should say but the light is dim and misty today end of chapter 19 for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Grove Jade England North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell Chapter 20 Men and Gentlemen Old and young boy let them all eat I have it let them have ten tire of teeth apiece I care not Rollo Duke of Normandy Margaret went home so painfully occupied with what she had heard and seen that she hardly knew how to rouse herself up to the duties which awaited her the necessity for keeping up a constant flow of cheerful conversation for her mother who now that she was unable to go out all was looked to Margaret's return from the shortest walk as bringing in some news and can your factory friend come on Thursday to see you dressed she was so ill I never thought of asking her said Margaret dolefully dear everybody is ill now I think said Mrs. Hale with a little of the jealousy which one invalid is apt to feel of another but it must be very sad to be ill in one of those little back streets her kindly nature prevailing and the old health and habits of thought returning it's bad enough here what could you do for her Margaret Mr. Thornton has sent me some of his old port wine since you went out would a bottle of that do her good thank you no mama I don't believe they are very poor at least they don't speak as if they were and at any rate Bess's illness is consumption she won't want wine perhaps I might take her a little preserve made of our dear health and fruit no there's another family to whom I should like to give oh mama mama how am I to dress up in my finery and go often away to smart parties after the sorrow I have seen today exclaimed Margaret bursting the bounds she had preordained for herself before she came in and telling her mother of what she had seen and heard at Higgins cottage it distressed Mrs. Hale excessively it made her restlessly irritated till she could do something she directed Margaret to pack up a basket in the very drawing-room to be sent there and then to the family and was almost angry with her for saying that it would not signify if it did not go till morning as she knew Higgins had provided for their immediate wants and she herself had left money with Bessie Mrs. Hale called her on feeling for saying this and never gave herself breathing time when she was sent out of the house then she said after all we may have been doing wrong it was only the last time Mr. Thornton was here that he said those were no true friends who helped prolong the struggle by assisting the turn-outs and this voucher man was a turn-out was he not the question was referred to Mr. Hale by his wife when he came upstairs fresh from giving a lesson to Mr. Thornton which had ended in conversation as was their want Margaret did not care if their gifts had prolonged the strike she did not think far enough for that in her present excited state Mr. Hale listened and tried to be as calm as a judge he recalled all that had seemed so clear not half an hour before as it came out of Mr. Thornton's lips and then he made an unsatisfactory compromise his wife and daughter had not only done quite right in this instance but he did not see for a moment how they could have done otherwise nevertheless as a general rule it was very true what Mr. Thornton said that as the strike if prolonged must end in the masters bringing hands from a distance if indeed the final result were not as it had often been before the invention of some machine which would diminish the need of hands at all why it was clear enough that the kindest thing was to refuse all help which might bolster them up in their folly but as to this boucher he would go and see him the first thing in the morning and try and find out what could be done for him Mr. Hale went the next morning as he proposed he did not find Boucher at home but he had a long talk with his wife promised to ask for an infirmary order for her and seeing the plenty provided by Mrs. Hale and somewhat lavishly used by the children who were masters downstairs in their father's absence he came back with a more consoling and cheerful account than Margaret had dared to hope for indeed what she had said the night before had prepared her father for so much worse a state of things that by a reaction of his imagination he described all as better than it really was but I will go again and see the man himself Mr. Hale I hardly know as yet how to compare one of these houses with our Hellston cottages I see furniture here which our labourers would never have thought of buying and food commonly used which they would consider luxuries yet for these very families there seemed to be no other resource now that their weekly wages are stopped but the pawn shop one had need to learn a different language and measure by a different standard up here in Milton which is much better this day still she was so weak that she seemed to have entirely forgotten her wish to see Margaret dressed if indeed that had not been the feverish desire of a half delirious state Margaret could not help comparing this strange dressing of hers to go where she did not care to be her heart heavy with various anxieties with the old merry girlish toilets that she and Edith had performed scarcely more than a year ago her only pleasure now in decking herself out was in thinking that her mother would take delight in seeing her dressed she blushed when Dixon throwing the drawing room door open made an appeal for admiration Miss Hale looks well, ma'am doesn't she Mrs. Shaw's curl couldn't have come in better it just gives the right touch of colour, ma'am otherwise Miss Margaret you would have been too pale Margaret's black hair was too thick to be platted it needed rather to be twisted round and round and have its fine silkiness compressed into massive coils that encircled her head like a crown and then were gathered into a large spiral knot behind she kept its weight together by two large coral pins like small arrows for length her white silk sleeves were looped up with strings of the same material and on her neck just below the base of her curved and milk-white throat there lay heavy coral beads oh Margaret how I should like to be going with you to one of the old Barrington assemblies taking you as Lady Beresford used to take me Margaret kissed her mother for this little burst of maternal vanity but she could hardly smile at it she felt so much out of spirits I would rather stay at home with you much rather mama nonsense darling be sure you notice the dinner well I shall like to hear how they manage these things in Milton particularly the second course dear look what they have instead of game Mrs. Hale would have been more than interested she would have been astonished if she had seen the sumptuousness of the dinner table and its appointments Margaret with her London cultivated taste felt the number of delicacies to be oppressive one half of the quantity would have been enough in the effect lighter and more elegant but it was one of Mrs. Thornton's rigorous laws of hospitality that of each separate dainty enough should be provided for all the guests to partake if they felt inclined careless to obstemiousness in her daily habits it was part of her pride to set a feast before such of her guests as cared for it her son shared this feeling he had never known though he might have imagined and had the capability to relish any kind of society but that which depended on an exchange of superb meals and even now though he was denying himself the personal expenditure of an unnecessary sixpence and had more than once regretted that the invitations for this dinner had been sent out still as it was to be he was glad to see the old magnificence of preparation Margaret and her father were the first to arrive Mr. Hale was anxiously punctual to the time specified there was no one upstairs in the drawing room but Mrs. Thornton and Fanny every cover was taken off and the apartment blazed forth in yellow silk damask and a brilliantly flowered carpet every corner seemed filled up with ornament until it became a weariness to the eye and presented a strange contrast to the bald ugliness of the lookout into the great mill yard where wide folding gates were thrown open for the admission of carriages the mill loomed high on the left-hand side of the windows casting a shadow down from its many stories which darkened the summer evening before its time my son was engaged up to the last moment on business he will be here directly Mr. Hale may I beg you to take a seat Mr. Hale was standing at one of the windows as Mrs. Thornton spoke he turned away saying don't you find such close neighbourhood to the mill rather unpleasant at times she drew herself up never I am not become so fine as to desire to forget the source of my son's wealth and power besides there is not such another factory in Milton one room alone is 220 square yards I meant that the smoke and the noise the constant going out and coming in of the work people might be annoying I agree with you Mr. Hale said Fanny there is a continual smell of steam and oily machinery and the noise is perfectly deafening I have heard noise that was called music far more deafening the engine room is at the street end of the factory we hardly hear it except in summer weather when all the windows are open and as for the continual murmur of the work people it disturbs me no more than the humming of a hive of bees if I think of it at all I connect it with my son and feel how all belongs to him and that his is the head that directs it just now there are no sounds to come from the mill the hands have been ungrateful enough to turn out as perhaps you have heard but the very business of which I spoke when you entered had reference to the steps he is going to take to make them learn their place the expression on her face all was stern deepened into dark anger as she said this nor did it clear away when Mr. Thornton entered the room for she saw in an instant the weight of care and anxiety which he could not shake off although his guest received from him a greeting that appeared both cheerful and cordial he shook hands with Margaret he knew it was the first time their hands had met though she was perfectly unconscious of the fact he inquired after Mrs. Hale and heard Mr. Hale sanguine hopeful account and glancing at Margaret to understand how far she agreed with her father he saw that no dissenting shadow crossed her face and as he looked with this intention he was struck anew with her great beauty he had never seen her in such dress before and yet now it appeared as if such elegance of attire was so befitting her noble figure and lofty serenity of countenance that she ought to go always thus apparelled she was talking to Fanny about what he could not hear but he saw his sister's restless way of continually arranging some part of her gown her wandering eyes here now there but without any purpose in her observation and he contrasted them uneasily with the large soft eyes that looked forth steadily at one object as if from out their light beamed some gentle influence of repose the curving lines of the red lips just parted in the interest of listening to what her companion said the head a little bent forwards so as to make a long sweeping line from the summit where the light caught on the glossy raven hair to the smooth ivory tip of the shoulder the round white arms and taper hands laid lightly across each other but perfectly motionless in their pretty attitude Mr. Thornton sighed as he took in all this with one of his sudden comprehensive glances and then he turned his back to the young ladies and threw himself with an effort but with all his heart and soul into a conversation with Mr. Hale more people came, more and more Fanny left Margaret's side and helped her mother to receive her guests Mr. Thornton felt that in this influx no one was speaking to Margaret and was restless under this apparent neglect but he never went near her himself he did not look at her only he knew what she was doing or not doing better than he knew the movements of anyone else in the room Margaret was so unconscious of herself and so much amused by watching other people that she never thought whether she was left unnoticed or not somebody took her down to dinner she did not catch the name or talk to her there was a very animated conversation going on among the gentlemen the ladies for the most part were silent employing themselves in taking notes of the dinner and criticising each other's dresses Margaret caught the clue to the general conversation grew interested and listened attentively Mr. Horsefall, the stranger whose visit to the town was the original germ of the party was asking questions relative to the trade and manufacturers of the place and the rest of the gentlemen, all Milton men were giving him answers and explanations some dispute arose which was warmly contested it was referred to Mr. Thornton who had hardly spoken before but who now gave an opinion the grounds of which were so clearly stated that even the opponents yielded Margaret's attention was thus called to her host his whole manner as master of the house the entertainer of his friends was so straight forward yet simple and modest as to be thoroughly dignified Margaret thought she had never seen him to so much advantage when he had come to their house there had always been something either of over-eagerness or of that kind of vexed annoyance which seemed ready to presuppose that he was unjustly judged and yet felt too proud to try and make himself better understood among his fellows there was no uncertainty as to his position he was regarded by them as a man of great force of character of power in many ways there was no need to struggle for their respect he had it and he knew it and the security of this gave a fine grand quietness to his voice and ways which Margaret had missed before he was not in the habit and what he did say was a little formal to Margaret herself he hardly spoke at all she was surprised to think how much she enjoyed this dinner she knew enough now to understand many local interests nay, even some of the technical words employed by the eager mill owners she silently took a very decided part in the question they were discussing at any rate they talked in desperate earnest not in the used up style that wearied her so in the old London parties she wondered that with all this dwelling on the manufacturers and trades of the place no illusion was made to the strike then pending she did not yet know how coolly such things were taken by the masters as having only one possible end to be sure the men were cutting their own throats as they had done many a time before but if they would be fools and put themselves into the hands of the delegates they must take the consequence one or two thought Thornton looked out of spirits and of course he must lose by this turnout but it was an accident that might happen to themselves any day and Thornton was as good to manage a strike as any one for he was as iron a chap as any in Milton the hans had mistaken their man in trying that dodge on him and they chuckled inwardly comforture and defeat in their attempt to alter one iota of what Thornton had decreed it was rather dull for Margaret after dinner she was glad when the gentleman came not merely because she caught her father's eye to brighten her sleepiness up but because she could listen to something larger and grander than the petty interests which the ladies had been talking about she liked the exaltation in the sense of power which these Milton men had it might be rather rampant in its display and savor of boasting but still they seemed to defy the old limits of possibility in a kind of fine intoxication caused by the recollection of what had been achieved and what yet should be if in her cooler moments she might not approve of their spirit in all things still there was much to admire in their forgetfulness and the present in their anticipated triumphs over all inanimate matter at some future time which none of them should live to see she was rather startled when Mr. Thornton spoke to her close at her elbow I could see you were on our side in our discussion at dinner were you not Miss Hale certainly but then I know so little about it I was surprised however to find from what Mr. Horsfall said that there were others who thought in so diametrically opposite a manner as the Mr. Morrison he spoke about he cannot be a gentleman is he? I am not quite the person to decide on another's gentlemanliness Miss Hale I mean I don't quite understand your application of the word but I should say that this Morrison is no true man I don't know who he is I merely judge him from Mr. Horsfall's account I suspect my gentleman includes your true man and a great deal more you would imply I differ from you a man is to me a higher and a completer being than a gentleman what do you mean asked Margaret we must understand the words differently I take it that gentleman is a term that only describes a person in his relation to others but when we speak of him as a man we consider him not merely with regard to his fellow men but in relation to himself to life, to time, to eternity a castaway lonely as Robinson Crusoe a prisoner immured in a dungeon for life nay even a saint in Patmos has his endurance his strength, his faith best described by being spoken of as a man I am rather weary of this word gentlemanly which seems to me to be often inappropriately used and often too with such exaggerated distortion of meaning while the full simplicity of the noun man and the adjective manly are unacknowledged that I am induced to class it with the cant of the day Margaret thought a moment but before she could speak her slow conviction he was called away by some of the eager manufacturers whose speeches she could not hear she would guess at their import by the short clear answers Mr. Thornton gave which came steady and firm as the boom of a distant minute gun they were evidently talking of the turn out and suggesting what course had best be pursued she heard Mr. Thornton say that has been done then came a hurried murmur in which two or three joined all those arrangements have been made some doubts were implied some difficulties named by Mr. Slickson who took hold of Mr. Thornton's arm the better to impress his words Mr. Thornton moved slightly away lifted his eyebrows a very little and then replied I take the risk you need not join in it unless you choose still some more fears were urged I'm not afraid of anything so dastardly as incendurism we are open enemies and I can protect myself from any violence that I apprehend 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. Horsefall 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 categorising Fanny on the same subject who is that fine distinguished looking girl a sister of Mr. Horsefalls oh dear no that is Mr. Hale her father talking now to Mr. Stevens he gives lessons that's to say he reads with young men my brother John goes to him twice a week and so he begs Mama 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 at all 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 End of Chapter 20 Chapter 21 North and South This is the LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Red Queen London, England North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell Chapter 21 The Dark Knight On earth is known to none the smile that is not sister to a tear Elliot Margaret and her father walked home the night was fine the streets clean and with her pretty white silk like Lisi Lindsay's Gauner-Green satin in the ballad, killed it 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 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 work people who will look upon him as what the Bible calls a hard man not so much unjust as unfeeling clear in judgment standing upon his rights there's no human being ought to stand considering what we and all our petty rights are in the sight of the Almighty I'm glad you think he looks anxious when I remember Boucher's half-mad words and ways I cannot bear to think how cool he 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 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 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 develops 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 I was very much interested by what the gentlemen were talking about although I did not understand half of it I was quite sorry when Miss Thornton came to take me to the other end of the room saying she was sure I should be uncomfortable at being the only lady among so many gentlemen I had never thought about it I was so busy listening and the ladies were so dull papa oh so dull yet I think it was clever too it reminded me of our old game of having each so many nouns to introduce into a sentence what do you mean child asked Mr. Hale why they took nouns that were signs of things which gave evidence of wealth housekeepers, under-gardners extent of glass, valuable lace diamonds and all such things and each one formed her speech so as to bring them all in in the prettiest accidental manner possible you will be as proud of your one servant when you get her if all is true about her that Mrs. Thornton says to be sure I shall I felt like a great hypocrite tonight sitting there in my white silk gown with my idle hands before me when I remembered all the good thorough housework they had done today they took me for a fine lady I'm sure even I was mistaken enough to think you looked like a lady my dear said Mr. Hale quietly smiling but smiles were changed to white and trembling looks when they saw Dixon's face as she opened the door oh master oh Miss Margaret thank god you are come Dr. Donaldson is here the servant next door went for him for the charwoman he's gone home she's better now but oh sir I thought she'd died an hour ago Mr. Hale caught Margaret's arm to steady himself from falling he looked at her face and saw an expression upon it of surprise and extremist sorrow but not the agony of terror that contracted her own unprepared heart she knew more than he did and yet she listened with that hopeless expression of odd apprehension oh I should not have left her wicked daughter that I am moaned forth Margaret as she supported her trembling father's hasty steps upstairs Dr. Donaldson met them on the landing she is better now he whispered the opiate has taken effect the spasms were very bad I wonder they frightened your maid but she'll rally this time this time let me go to her half an hour ago Mr. Hale was a middle aged man now his sight was dim his senses wavering his walk tottering as if he was seventy years of age Dr. Donaldson took his arm and led him into the bedroom Margaret followed close there lay her mother with an unmistakable look on her face she might be better now as she was sleeping but death had signed her for his own and it was clear that earlong he would return to take possession Mr. Hale looked at her for some time without a word then he began to shake all over and turning away from Dr. Donaldson's anxious care he groped to find the door he could not see it although several candles brought in the sudden affright were burning and flaming there he staggered into the drawing-room and felt about for a chair Dr. Donaldson wheeled one to him and placed him in it he felt his pulse speak to him Miss Hale we must rouse him Papa said Margaret with a crying voice that was wild with pain Papa speak to me the speculation came again into his eyes and he made a great effort Margaret did you know of this oh it was cruel of you no sir it was not cruel replied Dr. Donaldson with quick decision Miss Hale acted under my directions there may have been a mistake but it was not cruel your wife will be a different creature to-morrow I trust she has had spasms as I anticipated though I did not tell Miss Hale of my apprehensions she has taken the opiate I brought with me she will have a good long sleep and to-morrow that look which has alarmed you so much will have passed away but not the disease Dr. Donaldson glanced at Margaret her bent head her face raised with no appeal for a temporary reprieve showed that quick observer of human nature that she thought it better that the whole truth should be told not the disease we cannot touch the disease with all our poor vaunted skill we can only delay its progress alleviate the pain it causes be a man sir, a Christian a faith in the immortality of the soul which no pain, no mortal disease can assail or touch but all the reply he got was in the choked words you have never been married Dr. Donaldson you do not know what it is and in the deep manly sobs which went through the stillness of the night like heavy pulses of agony Margaret knelt by him caressing him with tearful caresses no one not even Dr. Donaldson knew how the time went by Mr. Hale was the first to dare speak of the necessities of the present moment what must we do? asked he tell us both, Margaret is my staff my right hand Dr. Donaldson gave his clear sensible directions no fear for tonight nay even peace for tomorrow and for many days yet but no enduring hope of recovery he advised Mr. Hale to go to bed and leave only one to watch the slumber which he hoped would be undisturbed he promised to come again early in the morning and with a warm and kindly shake of the hand he left them they spoke but few words they were too much exhausted by their terror to do more than decide upon the immediate course of action Mr. Hale was resolved to sit up through the night and all that Margaret could do was to prevail upon him to rest Dixon stoutly and bluntly refused to go to bed and as for Margaret it was simply impossible that she should leave her mother let all the doctors in the world speak of husbanding resources and one watcher only being required so Dixon sat and stared and winked and drooped and picked herself up again with a jerk and finally gave up the battle and fairly snored Margaret had taken off her gown and seemed disgust and put on her dressing gown she felt as if she never could sleep again as if her whole senses were acutely vital and all endued with double keenness for the purposes of watching every sight and sound nay even every thought touched some nerve to the very quick for more than two hours she heard her father's restless movements in the next room he came perpetually to the door of her mother's chamber she not hearing his close unseen presence went and opened it to tell him how all went on in reply to questions his baked lips could hardly form at last he too fell asleep and all the house was still Margaret sat behind the curtain thinking far away in time far away in space seemed all the interests of past days not more than thirty six hours ago she cared for Bessie Higgins and her father and her heart was rung for voucher now that was all like a dreaming memory of some former life everything that had passed out of doors seemed deceivered from her mother and therefore unreal even Harley Street appeared more distinct there she remembered as if it were yesterday how she had pleased herself with tracing out her mother's features in her aunt Shaw's face and how letters had come with all the longing of love Helston itself was in the dim past the dull gray days of the preceding winter and spring so eventless and monotonous seemed more associated with what she cared for now above all price she would feign have caught at the skirts of that departing time and prayed it to return and give her back what she had too little valued while it was yet in her possession what a vain show life seemed how unsubstantial and flickering and flitting it was as if from some aerial belfry high up above the stir and jar of the earth there was a bell continually tolling all her shadows all her passing all is past and when the morning dawned cool and gray like many a happier morning before when Margaret looked one by one at the sleepers it seemed as if the terrible night were unreal as a dream it too was a shadow it too was past Mrs. Hale herself was not aware when she awoke how ill she had been the night before she was rather surprised that Dr. Donaldson's early visit and perplexed by the anxious faces of husband and child she consented to remain in bed that day saying she certainly was tired but the next she insisted on getting up and Dr. Donaldson gave his consent to her returning into the drawing-room she was restless and uncomfortable in every position and before night she became very feverish Mr. Hale was utterly listless and incapable of deciding on anything what can we do to spare my mar such another night asked Margaret on the third day it is to a certain degree the reaction after the powerful opiates I have been obliged to use it is more painful for you to see than for her to bear I believe but I think if we could get a water-bed it might be a good thing not but what she will be better tomorrow pretty much like herself as she was before this attack still I should like her to have a water-bed Mrs. Thornton has one I know I'll try and call there this afternoon stay," said he his eye catching on Margaret's face blanched with watching in a sick-room I'm not sure whether I can go have a long round to take it would do you no harm to have a brisk walk to Marlborough Street and ask Mrs. Thornton if she could spare it certainly," said Margaret I could go while Mamar is asleep this afternoon I'm sure Mrs. Thornton would lend it to us Dr. Donaldson's experience told them rightly Mrs. Hale seemed to shake off the consequences of her attack and look brighter and better this afternoon than Margaret had ever hoped to see her again her daughter left her after dinner sitting in her easy chair with her hand lying in her husband's who looked more worn and suffering than she by far still he could smile now rather slowly rather faintly it is true but a day or two before Margaret never thought to see him smile again it was about two miles from their house encamped and crescent to Marlborough Street it was too hot to walk very quickly an august sun beat straight down into the street at three o'clock in the afternoon Margaret went along without noticing anything different from usual in the first mile and a half of her journey she was absorbed in her own thoughts and had learnt by this time to thread her way through the irregular stream of human beings that flowed through Milton streets but by and by she was struck with an unusual heaving among the massive people in the crowded road on which she was entering they did not appear to be moving on so much as talking and listening and buzzing with excitement without much stirring from the spot still as they made way for her and wrapped up in the purpose of her errand and the necessities that suggested it she was less quick of observation than she might have been if her mind had been at ease she had got into Marlborough Street before the full conviction forced itself upon her that there was a restless oppressive sense of irritation abroad among the people a thunderous atmosphere morally as well as physically around her from every narrow lane opening out on Marlborough Street up a low distant roar as of myriads of fierce indignant voices the inhabitants of each poor squalid dwelling were gathered round the doors and windows if indeed they were not actually standing in the middle of the narrow ways all with looks intent towards one point Marlborough Street itself was the focus of all those human eyes the portrayed intensest interest of various kinds some fierce with anger some lowering with relentless threats some dilated with fear or imploring entreaty and as Margaret reached the small side entrance by the folding doors in the great dead wall of Marlborough Millyard and waited the porter's answer to the bell she looked round and heard the first long far-off roll of the tempest saw the first slow surging wave of the dark crowd come with its threatening crest tumble over and retreat at the far end of the street which a moment ago seemed so full of repressed noise but which now was ominously still all these circumstances forced themselves on Margaret's notice but did not sink down into her preoccupied heart she did not know what they meant what was their deep significance while she did know did feel the keen sharp pressure of the knife that was soon to stab her through and through by leaving her motherless she was trying to realise that in order that when it came she might be ready to comfort her father the porter opened the door cautiously not nearly wide enough to admit her it's you is it ma'am said he, drawing a long breath and widening the entrance but still not opening it fully Margaret went in he hastily bolted it behind her the folk are all coming up here I reckon asked he I don't know something unusual seemed going on but this street is quite empty I think she went across the yard and up the steps to the house door there was no near sound no steam engine at work with beat and pant no click of machinery or mingling and clashing of many sharp voices but far away the ominous gathering raw deep clamouring End of Chapter 21