Page:Gaskell - North and South, vol. I, 1855.djvu/184

 said anything? Oh, Margaret! I am haunted by the fear that our coming to Milton has killed her. My poor Maria!"

"Oh, papa! don't imagine such things," said Margaret, shocked. Many a one is not well for a time; and with good advice gets better and stronger than ever."

"But has Dixon said anything about her?"

"No! You know Dixon enjoys making a mystery out of trifles; and she has been a little mysterious about mamma's health, which has alarmed me rather, that is all. Without any reason, I dare say. You know, papa, you said the other day I was getting fanciful."

"I hope and trust you are. But don't think of what I said then. I like you to be fanciful about your mother's health. Don't be afraid of telling me your fancies. I like to hear them, though, I dare say, I spoke as if I was annoyed. But we will ask Mrs. Thornton if she can tell us of a good doctor. We won't throw away our money on any but some one first-rate. Stay, we turn up this street."

The street did not look as if it could contain any house large enough for Mrs. Thornton's habitation. Her son's presence never gave any impression as to the kind of house he lived in; but, unconsciously, Margaret had imagined that tall, massive, handsomely dressed Mrs. Thornton must live in a house of the same character as herself. Now Marlborouglh Street consisted of long rows of small houses, with a blank wall here and there; at least that was all they could see from the point at which they entered it.