apham Common, and on her return inventing some sermon at a church the others never visited. But before she had gone many yards conscience overcame her. Was she not getting to be a very lax-minded girl? And it was shameful to impose upon the two after their loving-kindness to her. As usual, [Ссылки могут видеть только зарегистрированные пользователи. ] her little prayer-book was in her pocket. She walked quickly to the familiar church, and reached it just as the doors were being closed.
Of all the congregation she probably was the [Ссылки могут видеть только зарегистрированные пользователи. ] one who went through the service most mechanically. Not a word reached her understanding. Sitting, standing, or on her knees, she wore the same preoccupied look, with ever and again a slight smile or a movement of the lips, as if she were recalling some conversation of special interest.
Last Sunday she had had an adventure, the first of any real moment that had befallen her in London. She had arranged to go with Miss Eade on a steamboat up the river. They were to meet at the Battersea Park landing-stage at half-past two. But Miss Eade did not [Ссылки могут видеть только зарегистрированные пользователи. ] keep her appointment, and Monica, unwilling to lose the trip, started alone.
She disembarked at Richmond and strayed about for an hour or two, then had a cup of tea and a bun. As it was still far too early to return, she went down to the riverside and seated [Ссылки могут видеть только зарегистрированные пользователи. ] herself on one of the benches. Many boats were going by, a majority of them containing only two persons — a young man who pulled, and a girl who held the strings of the tiller. Some of these couples Monica disregarded; but occasionally there passed a skiff from which she could not take her eyes. To lie back like that on the cushions and converse with a companion who had nothing of the shop about him!
It seemed hard that she must be alone. Poor Mr. Bullivant would gladly have taken her on the [Ссылки могут видеть только зарегистрированные пользователи. ] river; but Mr. Bullivant —
She thought of her sisters. [Ссылки могут видеть только зарегистрированные пользователи. ] Their loneliness was for life, poor things. Already they were old; and they would grow older, sadder, perpetually struggling to supplement that dividend from the precious capital [Ссылки могут видеть только зарегистрированные пользователи. ] — and merely t
y repelled the watching Margaret.
‘Yes; the fools will have a [Ссылки могут видеть только зарегистрированные пользователи. ] strike. Let them. It suits us well enough. But we gave them a chance. They think trade is flourishing [Ссылки могут видеть только зарегистрированные пользователи. ] as it was last year. We see the storm on the horizon and draw in our sails. But because we don’t explain our reasons, they won’t believe we’re acting reasonably. We must give them [Ссылки могут видеть только зарегистрированные пользователи. ] line and letter for the way we choose to spend or save our money. Henderson tried a dodge with his men, out [Ссылки могут видеть только зарегистрированные пользователи. ] at Ashley, and failed. He rather wanted a strike; it would have suited his book well enough. So when the men came to ask for the five [Ссылки могут видеть только зарегистрированные пользователи. ] per cent. they are claiming, he told ’em he’d think about it, and give them his answer on the pay day; knowing all the while what his answer would be, of course, but thinking he’d strengthen their conceit of their own way. However, they were too deep for him, and heard something about the bad prospects of trade. So in they came on the Friday, and drew back their claim, and now he’s obliged to go on working. But we Milton masters have today sent in our decision. We won’t advance a penny. We tell them we may have to lower [Ссылки могут видеть только зарегистрированные пользователи. ] wages; but can’t afford to raise. So here we stand, waiting for their next attack.’
‘And what will that be?’ asked Mr. Hale.
‘I conjecture, a simultaneous strike. You will see Milton without smoke in a few days, I imagine, Miss Hale.’
‘But why,’ asked she, ‘could you not explain what good reason you have for expecting a bad trade? I don’t know whether I use the right words, but you will understand what I mean.’
‘Do you give your servants reasons for your expenditure, or your economy in the use of your own money? We, the owners of capital, have a right to choose what we will do with it.’
‘A human right,’ said Margaret, very low.
‘I beg your pardon, I did not hear what you said.’
‘I would rather not repeat it,’ said she; ‘it [Ссылки могут видеть только зарегистрированные пользователи. ] related to a feeling which I do not think you would share.’
‘Won’t you try me?’ pleaded he; his thoughts sudde
Линейный вид
