Look Back At Me
Chapter XXX
The morning was cold, but the snow had evaporated overnight, leaving puddles of dark grey scattered across the city. Those people that were already up, were busy making fires and lighting stoves, creating a blanket of black smoke above the stone houses. Even if the sky was clear, it would soon be impossible to tell what kind of weather was coming. Windows were opened, lanterns were dimmed, and the sound of many footsteps could be heard shuffling through the streets. Sometimes a soft voice accompanied the low rumble of boots and clogs upon stone, but most voices had yet to wake fully. The feet moved on, up that step and around this corner, until they reached the dark green painted gates of Marlborough Mills. The door was locked, the crowd stood still and an electric hush hung over the waiting assembly. A creak was heard, another door opened, and then the familiar sound of a large rusty key turning a large rusty lock was heard. The crowd sighed in relief. The shiny dark green gate opened and the face of the foreman was seen welcoming the workers, occasionally shaking a hand here and there. Its master was waiting a little further behind the door, acknowledging the hands with a nod. He spoke to those who spoke to him, answering those who thanked him or bade him a good morning.
He did not did speak much nor did he thank them in return; that had all been done and said the afternoon he had Higgins gather all the workers who had signed their name on the petition in the yard of the mill. It had all been Margaret's doing of course. She had seen Higgins and asked him if he knew if the hands who had previously worked at Marlborough Mills were willing to do so again or if he knew any others who were willing.
"If he knew them!", Higgins had exclaimed. He knew them quite well for they had come together not much time after the mill had been closed and made up a petition in which those who would gladly work for Master Thornton signed their names if there ever came a time those names were needed with ease and speed. When John Thornton saw the list, tears came prickling into his eyes.
When Margaret had assured him it was best to see Higgins personally, master Thornton had decided he would visit Higgins in his house down Batter Lane. Not only because John Thornton was still silently ashamed of the poorly state of his own house and mill, but also because he would be seen by other hands. With all good intentions, the sighting would show confidence and spark interest, which were both needed. When John Thornton's face appeared behind the creaking door of Higgins' home, the surprise was visible in Nicolas's face. There was moment of doubt, but when Thornton offered him his hand, Nicolas Higgins took it heartily and offered him his best chair by the fire. Mary silently offered tea while the two men found their common ground once again without wasting words.
Thornton discussed with Higgins how then best to approach the workers and they decided that it was most fruitful to have them all in one place when the news was delivered. Higgins went round the houses and soon the news went around that those who had signed their names were asked to come to the mill after church on Sunday. It was a strange request, but speculation began to spread as to the purpose, and the Milton men and women were too curious to pass up the opportunity. Mr Thornton had been silently waiting in the yard, and once the hands had all gathered, nobody had dared speak and there was no cause to silence anyone or draw attention. This had caught Mr Thornton somewhat off guard, but he proceeded with explaining that he had been so fortunate as to once again be able to run the mill and that he needed faithful and determined workers. He added that those willing could report to the foreman and himself the next morning; that would give those with doubt a good night to think about it.
"I also need men and women who can help me with the general kitchen and supplies; if you think you're up to it, you can come and see Mr Higgins for supplies and his daughter Mary Higgins for the kitchen." Mr Thornton nodded to the direction of Higgins, who was standing to his left. "I hope to see you all in the morning." With that, he give the crowd another curt nod and he and the foreman opened the gates of Marlborough Mills.
Mrs Thornton was seen standing in her usual place by one of the top windows of the house overlooking the yard. Her face was stern, but there was satisfaction there. Those who looked around one last time before leaving again, had also seen a young woman in a dark blue dress standing before the front door of the house. Her hands were folded in front of her and she smiled.
"I think I hear Fanny coming." Mrs Thornton spoke without looking up from her list. Margaret, who was seated opposite from Mrs Thornton, stopped her writing and waited to hear the door. It took a few seconds, but there indeed were voices in the hall and the clicking of heels coming closer. Margaret wondered for a moment how well Mrs Thornton's hearing must be, because everything was quiet again in the yard and the servants were told to remain downstairs. It was overall very quiet and Margaret had not noticed a thing until Mrs Thornton remarked on it. Then, without warning, Fanny broke into the room and her protruding belly was impossible to miss.
"Miss Hale! So you are indeed here, I wondered about that. Where is John? Is he working again? I told Watson you would return sooner or later, and he said you were rather strong-minded about it. John must have told you about my baby; Watson doesn't want me to go out as much anymore because it tires me, but I couldn't stay home any longer. What are you doing?" Fanny Watson's words came out like a whirlwind and there was no time to answer any of the questions in between. Margaret looked somewhat stupefied but regained her sense when she noticed silence had returned and Fanny Watson was pointing to her letters.
"I am writing a letter to my aunt in London. How are you, Fanny?" Margaret answered gleefully.
The use of her name took Mrs Watson a little by surprise, but she soon recovered and rubbed her belly: "As good as can be expected under the circumstances, I suppose."
"Well, you look wonderful." Margaret was about to touch Fanny Watson's arm in a friendly manner, but decided against it in the last minute. Mrs Thornton looked up at her daughter as Fanny looked flattered and pleased.
"Have you eaten today, Fanny?" Mrs Thornton stood up and took her daughter by the hands and led her to the settee. Fanny's reaction was enough; she wrinkled her nose as if she smelled something bad and waved the question away with a gloved hand.
"Margaret, would you be so kind as to stay with Fanny while I go and get her something to eat?" Mrs Thornton was already by the door by the time she finished asking, but Margaret looked at her surprised. Whether Mrs Thornton had done it intentionally or not, she had called Margaret by her first name and for the first time too it seemed to Margaret. If she had done so intentionally, it could not be seen or heard in her face, and Fanny was too occupied in her own thoughts to notice the difference. It was first name galore for the ladies and Margaret silently hoorayed the occasion.
"Have you not been eating well?" Margaret asked while she seated herself opposite Fanny. There was not much more needed to set Fanny off on the trials and tribulations of pregnancy, and Margaret was even allowed to gently take Fanny's hand as a sign of pity during the ordeal. A little while later Mrs Thornton found Fanny talking as if her life depended on it, and Margaret Hale listening to Fanny as if she never heard anything more interesting.
And there it was; the realisation that whether Margaret Hale was truly interested or not, she pretended to be for the sake of goodness. Fanny never had many true friends. Not because she was not a good friend herself, but because she lived in the shadow of staunch, commanding characters; she was overlooked, forgotten at times, because in comparison she did not match those closest to her in contrast. Her mother had consequently with true motive tried to make Fanny more like herself and John, calling her out on her faults and failings many times. As was to be expected by any other than an anxious mother, Fanny did not have the character to retaliate these denunciations, and became peevish. This too was noticed by Mrs Thornton and her own resilient mind could not understand such weakness. As a result, Mrs Thornton eventually treated Fanny with what to others must seem like indifference, but was truly an everlasting attempt to be considerate after a youth of austere criticism. John Thornton had followed his mother's example because that was what he knew, although his brotherly affection had at times softened his sister's temper. His was a character less seasoned when his sister was struggling and therefore more free to show affection, to the secret happiness of Mrs Thornton.
And now there was this woman, holding Fanny up with her attention and spreading radiance. There was a quiet, very soft reasoning beginning to grow in Mrs Thornton that her son was wise and that he deserved credit for seeking equality in any woman he deemed lovable. Mrs Thornton would not for a long time admit to any of these reasonings, but acceptance of a situation can often open your eyes to things not considered before.
John Thornton was standing on a platform overlooking the rows of machinery that made cotton. All was quiet now, but in his mind's eye he remembered the heavy noise and the images of fast moving people and steel that would soon recur. He breathed in, felt a wave of satisfaction fall over him, and smiled.
The steady pattern of his mother's footsteps were coming closer until he heard her stop next to him. John looked at his mother as she had the same look in her eyes while watching the floor below. When Mrs Thornton looked up, she touched her sons arm and squeezed it softly.
"Miss Hale is about to leave to go back to her rooms in town, you should see her off." Mrs Thornton had directed her gaze back to the floor. John bend down to kiss his mother on the cheek and walked away quickly.