Page:Gaskell - North and South, vol. II, 1855.djvu/89

 remarks of his children—an effort which he did not make.

Margaret and Frederick looked at each other. That quick momentary sympathy would be theirs no longer if he went away. So much was understood through eyes that could not be put into words. Both coursed the same thought till it was lost in sadness. Frederick shook it off first:

"Do you know, Margaret, I was very nearly giving both Dixon and myself a good fright this afternoon. I was in my bedroom; I had heard a ring at the front door, but I thought the ringer must have done his business and gone away long ago; so I was on the point of making my appearance in the passage, when, as I opened my room door, I saw Dixon coming downstairs; and she frowned and kicked me into hiding again. I kept the door open, and heard a message given to some man that was in my father's study, and that then went away. Who could it have been? Some of the shopmen?"

"Very likely," said Margaret, indifferently. "There was a little quiet man who came up for orders about two o'clock."

"But this was not a little man—a great powerful fellow; and it was past four when he was here."

"It was Mr. Thornton," said Mr. Hale. They were glad to have drawn him into the conversation.

"Mr. Thornton!" said Margaret, a little surprised. "I thought"

"Well, little one, what did you think?" asked Frederick, as she did not finish her sentence.

"Oh, only," said she, reddening and looking straight at him, "I fancied you meant some one of a