So sorry for the delay. What happened? In the words of Douglas Adams, "Life, the Universe and Everything." Hopefully, the next post will be significantly longer and sooner. :)

Mr. Thornton was about to reply when Mr. Hale's footsteps were heard a moment before his form passed through the study door. 'I do apologize, Mr. Thornton. Mrs. Hale has requested that we move to the drawing room. She is quite anxious to ask of you some detail concerning your upcoming dinner.' He spoke with a contrite air, as if worrying his wife's desire would somehow give Mr. Thornton offense.

'Papa,' began Margaret, 'We were just speaking of the strike. Mr. Thornton is endeavoring to solve a riddle as complex as that of the Sphinx. How to end the strike with the least difficulty? The suffering of the workers is significant –'

'I would not give the Union a thought, if I were you, Miss Hale. It is known that they have hidden stores of money to distribute to the turn-outs. No, their suffering is only to forward their cause against the masters,' Mr. Thornton firmly stated.

Margaret and Mr. Hale were both clearly surprised by this declaration. Mr. Hale slowly replied, 'I have seen with my eyes families whose situation is dreadfully desperate due to the sudden loss of income. The men need the wages and do not wish to threaten their livelihood but the Union tells them that they must turn out, when it so decides. Know you what form of beast is the Union? Furthermore, if there were sufficient funds for ten families, once it is distributed to a hundred families, no one person will have adequate money to eat.'

Waving his hand dismissively, Mr. Thornton said, 'It is of no consequence. One hand is the same as another, if both are respectable workers, and if they are Union, so much more. They act as an entity to cause turmoil and dissension.'

Margaret was annoyed by the cold and unsympathetic appearance of Mr. Thornton's countenance as he spoke thus and wished to enlighten him as to the true situation. 'I have heard that there is long history between masters and men; the fathers – or grandfathers – of your turn-outs formed the Union many years past to protect themselves from cruel, unscrupulous masters who cared more for money than their workers. Truly, you do not appear to be amongst that set and men in Milton consider you a worthy foe.'

At this, Mr. Thornton gave a dour smile and Margaret blushed, realizing what it was that she had uttered. Keeping her eyes focused upon her father, she lifted her chin and continued.

'There are those amid the men who even call the Union a more grievous tyrant than the masters. These people feel that the Union would see them starve before allowing for any to go against the whole. Workers who do not belong to the Union are shunned, ignored and can find no relief. One man – whom I will not name – deems his neighbors kind hearted men but likens them to ravenous wolves once together. And this, sir, is what you would fight against? So I would ask you once more, could you and your fellow masters see your way to arbitration?'

Mr. Hale cleared his throat and stood from the stuffed chair upon which he had been lightly perching, Said he, 'Perchance we could speak with my wife prior to ending the strike and solving the kingdom's greatest concerns?'

The three stood to leave the study, with Mr. Hale in the lead. Mr. Thornton straightened his waist coat and followed Mr. Hale; Margaret tidied up her sewing before descending the stairs to the drawing room where Mrs. Hale was reclining, wrapped in a knitted white shawl. Mrs. Hale was curiously amused and interested by the idea of the Thornton dinner party. She kept 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, inasmuch 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, must of necessity be larger than anything hidden beyond. Mr. Hale fretted over his wife's comfort for a moment before settling into a chintz armchair next to her.

Mrs. Hale bid Margaret and Mr. Thornton to sit and began to voice queries, her yearning for distraction obvious. Mr. Thornton kindly and calmly answered every demand and assured her that altogether the Hale family would be most welcome at the impending dinner. Although pleased with his responses, Mrs. Hale was clearly tiring rapidly, so Mr. Thornton stood to take his leave.

'Margaret, please escort our guest to the door,' Mr. Hale appealed to his daughter. Margaret silently stood and showed Mr. Thornton to the hall. She felt strongly the need to impart a vital communication to him.

'My mother will not be in attendance, Mr. Thornton. Could you please forward my sincere regrets to your mother? Will it be acceptable to her for solely my father and myself to attend?' inquired Margaret in a rather concerned voice, as she held out to him the invitation reply.

Taking the card, he responded, 'We will be honored to host your father and yourself and I will inform my mother of. . . . extenuating circumstances.' Mr. Thornton then unlatched the front door and left, with a curiously light feeling. He would not glance back at the Hales' residence, despite his elation at the knowledge of Margaret's presence. She would be attending the Thornton's dinner and he would ensure that both Mr. Hale and his daughter were at ease in his home.