This was not something she had ever expected. She had been convinced that he disliked or even loathed her. Perhaps he felt sympathy for her because of his dead friend - Mr. Hale. But why would he ask for her forgiveness? She didn't understand, but she gladly accepted the unexpected change.

"Mr. Thornton, I am in your debt. It is I who should beg your forgiveness. And I'm terribly sorry for everything which has divided us."

Margaret took a look back and noticed that the women behind her had abandoned their conversation and were openly looking in her direction. Their faces displayed different feelings: astonishment (that was Mrs. Shaw), displeasure (Mrs. Thornton), and boredom (Mrs. Watson.) These were most certainly not comfortable circumstances for such talk. So she took back her hands and increased the distance between herself and Mr. Thornton to hide the intimacy of their exchange.

"I know," she began, more loudly and with an official tone, "that you have taken that man Higgins on."

Mr. Thornton nodded.

"I know he cannot read or write. So would you be so kind as to write to me about his family? I will be happy with all news from Milton. If that not would be too much trouble for you..."

John stared at her with an unreadable expression on his face. "Of course," he said eventually. "I will be delighted to provide you contact with the friends you are leaving behind."

"Margaret, it is time for us to go," Mrs. Shaw said loudly, as she noticed anxiety on Mrs. Thornton's face.

"Of course, aunt."

Margaret turned her eyes from Mr. Thornton, but then he quickly offered his arm. "May I show you the way?"

She returned her gaze to him. "Thank you," she said, gratitude in her voice, and placed her hand on his arm. Mrs. Shaw followed them out.

When they reached the carriage Margaret held back and made way for her aunt, so Mr. Thornton helped the older woman to get in first. Then Margaret stepped forward and extended her hand toward him, which he took immediately. "I will look forward to hearing about Milton," she said, "and I hope I may count you amongst my friends as well." When he tried to take his hand back she held it for two seconds longer.

His eyes widened in astonishment, but he smiled. "Do not ever doubt it, Margaret." And so they parted. She looked back through the small window at him standing at the yard, until his tall silhouette had disappeared in the falling snow.

Margaret didn't want to remember the next few days: arriving, greeting an overly enthusiastic Edith, unpacking. To Margaret's relief, mourning customs had saved her from most of her social duties. She had been two weeks in London when Edith brought her a letter. There was only one letter she expected so she opened it impatiently. Margaret read the first few sentences feeling calmness fill her heart and mind at last.

In accordance with her request, Mr. Thornton informed her that Higgins, his daughter, and the rest of the children were well. He wrote also that Higgins had proved to be quite a valuable worker. There were also few words about the weather. The letter ended with: "I was out walking when I noticed curtains in the windows of your old house - so unfortunately it is rented already." She detected some longing in those words. She imagined the scene if she was at the Crampton house, opening the door and inviting an astonished John inside. She was interrupted by Edith asking, "I see you received very good news, Margaret. Tell us what has made you smile at last!"

Her mood depended upon the letters. On the day she received a letter she was happy; she smiled often and her eyes shone. As soon as she could she sat to write her reply, and she spent a long time at the desk writing it. She developed a habit of jotting down quick notes when she had some thoughts she wanted to share with John, so her letters became longer. As soon as she sent the letter she immediately was impatient for more news from him, and over the next two days she was quiet and brooding. After two days she became very serious and excited. Sometimes when the time between letters was prolonged she was nervous and harsh to everyone, fearing that it might never come. Perhaps she had offended him. Perhaps there was something between him and Miss Latimer. Perhaps he wanted nothing more than to get rid of her. But then the next letter would come and it was even longer, and the cycle would start again from the beginning.

Over time, their letters became longer and more private. After the usual formalities she had nothing interesting to tell him about her boring life, so she wrote about her yearning for any reasonable occupation. John wrote about the mill, trade, troubles with market supplies and workers, in simple and clear words so she could understand his point of view. But it was clear that he was lonely and had no other occupation than his work. Once Margaret read: "All my life is my work; as much as I could regret it, I must follow my duty to the best of my ability." She felt that under those words there was a longing for respite, but she thought also that John was obsessed by his duties.

She dared to wish him less sorrow. She ended that she always waited for any – even the briefest news from him. She wondered for a while if that was not too forward, but in the end she decided to send the letter anyway.

In his next letter he wrote that in every place on earth there was something to do, because everywhere there were people who would need help. "Perhaps you could find a man like your friend Higgins."

He was right. She was so busy with her own sorrows, as if she was only one who suffered in the world. Margaret suddenly felt so ashamed she couldn't sleep that night. The next day she ate her breakfast before the others came down, and left the house. It was not very difficult to get to the orphanage in a poorer district. Soon she could write to him about her work with children.

Mr. Thornton wrote her that Tony Boucher made big progress in reading after going to school, and Mary Higgins had been cooking meals for the workers. Her further questions revealed that there now was a place set aside for feeding the workers at Marlborough Mills.

When Margaret wrote to him about her visit to Helston with Mr. Bell, and the memories that visit brought, she mentioned her brother. When John asked her about him, she gathered her all courage and wrote him the full story, including Frederick's last visit.

It was not long afterwards that they both had heard about Mr. Bell's death and his last will.

After sending her his condolences, he congratulated her upon the legacy. "I am happy that you are safe and fully independent." That was the first time she had thought about her money in such a way. But his letters became more reserved from that moment on. A few weeks later he informed her of the closing of Marlborough Mills, assuring her that he would do everything in his power to find work at least for Higgins.

Margaret felt the urge to comfort him, so she sat immediately and wrote him a letter. Then she went at once to send it, before she could reconsider.

As always you have read this chapter thanks to whilewewereyetsinners.

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