"Whoever thinks that he alone has speech, or possesses speech or mind above others, when unfolded such men are seen to be empty." - Sophocles
Comments
Margaret goes with Mary to the Higgins' house where Bessy lies dead, her face finally free of pain. While she is there Nicholas arrives, completely devastated by his daughter's death. Despite Mary's tearful pleas, he's planning to go out and get drunk, but Margaret talks him into going to take tea with her father instead. Mr. Hale is somewhat dismayed when Margaret brings home a grief-stricken, slightly tipsy weaver- who's also an atheist- for tea unannounced, but his innate compassion soon wins out. He takes tea with Nicholas while Margaret cares for her mother, who is very frail and fretting over the letter Margaret has sent to Frederick, alternately glad and then fearful at the thought of his coming to England. When she is finally settled to rest, Margaret joins her father and Nicholas for tea. The two men are deep in earnest conversation and it's clear that, despite all of their differences, the two men have formed a respect for each other. Once Nicholas has talked out his grief over Bessy's death, the conversation turns to the failed strike. Nicholas says that the mill he worked at- Hamper's- won't have him back. Mr. Hale attempts to question him about the effect of American cotton on workers' wages, but Nicholas freely admits that he doesn't understand economics. This leads Hale to wonder if matters might run moore smoothly if masters and workers formed a board and actually explained their positions to each other, wondering aloud if Mr. Thornton might be interested in such an approach. Margaret is dubious, and Nicholas becomes angry at the mention of Mr. Thornton. He blames him for the failure of the strike, because Thornton brought in Irish hands, causing the riot, and then refused to press charges against Boucher and the other rioters which gained sympathy for the owners. Margaret tells him that Mr. Thornton was right not to press charges, then wonders why Boucher was involved in the strike, since he clearly was unwilling and unsuited for it. Nicholas says that the workers must hang together to accomplish anything, and that the union has "ways and means" for dealing with any dissenters. Margaret asks what that means and Nicholas says that any millworkers who wouldn't join would be shunned by everyone, ignored and given the silent treatment. He says that he's seen workers be shunned for a year and more. Margaret is aghast, saying that the union is every bit as much a tyrant as they claim the mill owners to be. Mr. Hale is afraid that Higgins will be offended by Margaret's words but he says that he can't be angry when he remembers how Bessy loved her. Before he takes his leave, Mr. Hale asks Nicholas if he will allow him to pray for him and Nicholas, despite his unbelief, agrees: "Margaret the Churchwoman, her father the Dissenter, Higgins the Infidel, knelt down together. It did them no harm." Margaret gets a letter from her cousin Edith in Corfu; she and her husband now have a baby and she's happily settled. As she describes the picnics and other social activities they participate in, Margaret can't help contrasting Edith's carefree existence with her own, which is increasingly fraught with stress, worry, and loss. Dismissing her dark thoughts, she is reading the cheery letter to her mother when Mr. Thornton comes in with Mr. Hale, bringing some more fresh fruit. The greeting between Margaret and Thornton is constrained; he resents her but cannot help but want to still be in her presence. Meanwhile, Margaret has been impressed by his care of her mother and actions following the strike. She regrets her behaviour the day after the riot- not in rejecting him, but for doing it angrily. She strives to be polite and gentle in her treatment of him now, apologizing by her manner rather than by words. Before Mr. Thornton leaves, Mrs. Hale weakly asks him if he will ask his mother to visit her. He promises her that he will. (To Be Continued...)
|
About MeI'm a lover of good books, classic movies, and well-written shows (as well as some pretty cheesy ones, to be completely honest). Categories
All
Archives
March 2024
Fun SitesOdds & Ends |