the poor child, and----"

"Nay, mother, that's enough. Count up no more dangers. I am miserable as
it is. How goes all with you?"

"Why, John, it goes and goes, and I hardly know where it goes or how it
goes, and the mischief of it all is this--some are getting so used to
the Government feeding and clothing them that they'll think it a
hardship when they hev to feed and clothe themselves."

"Not they, or else they are not men of this countryside. How is Harry? I
heard a queer story about him and others yesterday."

"Queer it might be, but it was queer in a good way if it is set against
Harry. What did you hear?"

"That Harry had trained a quartette of singers and that they had given
two concerts in Harrow-gate and three in Scarborough and Halifax, and
come back with nearly five hundred pounds for the starving mill-hands in
Hatton District."

"That is so--and I'm thankful to say it! People were glad to give. Many
were not satisfied with buying tickets; they added a few pounds or
shillings as they could spare them. Lord Thirsk went with the company
as finance manager. People like a lord at the head of anything, and
Thirsk is Yorkshire, well known and trusted."

"No more known and trusted than is Hatton. I think Harry might have
asked me. It is a pity they did not think of this plan earlier."

"There may be time enough for the plan to wear itself out yet."

"No. We shall have peace and cotton in three months."

"However can thou say a thing like that?"

"Because I know it."

Then she looked steadily at him. He smiled confidently back, and no
further doubt troubled her. "I believe thee, John," she said, "and I
shall act accordingly."

"You may safely do so, mother. How is Lucy?" "Quite well, and the new
baby is the finest little fellow I ever saw. Harry says they are going
to call him John. Harry is very fond of thee."

"To be sure he is and I am fond of him. I wonder how they manage for
cash? Do you think they need it? Have they asked you for any?"

"Not a farthing. Lucy makes the income meet the outgo. The farm feeds
the family and Harry earns more than a little out of the music and song
God put into him."

"A deal depends on a man's wife, mother."

"Everything depends on her. A man must ask his wife whether he is to do
well with his life or make a failure of it. What wilt thou do with
thyself while Jane is in London?"

"I am going to stay with you mostly, mother. There will be painters and
papere