The morning arrived with profound opportunities to rise and shine. In Marlborough Mills, Mrs. Thornton and her son were already on the breakfast table. The sombre mood of yesternight hadn't perished entirely. The Thorntons were used to their gloomy lives, but this monstrous silence and implied sadness drove Mrs. Thornton to madness.

She was not able to see her son so sorrowful. In the past sixteen years, she had never seen him so dull and moody. The mill was his life but now, a woman claimed his mind and soul. No, she had to do something soon, or lest, she lost her only son to irreparable depression.

"John", she called out timidly yet with an edge.

"Yes mother", came the immediate reply.

Mrs. Thornton took a deep breath. She composed herself and determined that she cannot spoil the conversation yet again. She said-

"I apologize for what I said yesterday night. No, I don't care about your position as much as I care for you as a mother should. I hope you know that."

"Of course, I do. As I said, it's only you who cares about me in this whole world. It will be only you."

"But still, you aren't happy, my son."

John looked back at her before resigning to reading the paper.

"Look John, stop pretending to read the paper. I don't know when they will turn to flames by your stare. Enough now, I have to tell you something. I was thinking quite for some time yesterday night and came to a suggestion..."

"If your suggestion includes the Latimers or any other family, then please keep it to yourself, mother."

"Ah, there, you see, won't let me speak! I apologized for that too. I know she will not make you happy. What I wanted to suggest is entirely different."

"Continue."

"You see, Mrs. Hale had suggested that I be a good friend and guide to Margaret after her death. I reluctantly agreed because this whole town knows Miss Hale is a woman guided by her own conscience. Yet, I promised her mother, so I cannot give up on it."

"I agree, although I do understand that you and she might not be too good a company. But then you can try being of any help you can, that is, only if Miss Hale is interested in such an offer of friendship."

"Yes. But I am afraid I already had a bad start on that score."

"What? Why, please explain? Did you try talking to her?"

"Yes, I did. I went to see her after that incident in Outwood."

Mrs. Thornton need not tell the rest for John immediately understood what would have occurred. Flying barbs would have been put forth by both women and ultimately, his mother would have accepted defeat.

"There, John. Don't think the unthinkable. Yes, you thought right though. She spoke as haughty as she always did. But I do think I did her a disservice. I wish to remedy that."

Now, this was quite a shock to John. It was how near his mother could go to give an apology and ask for forgiveness.

"And how would you do that?"

"By meeting her often, inviting her to tea at home. Now that Fanny is not here anymore, Miss Hale can freely come without any tension of hearing about draperies, gowns, and fashion. I wish to let her know that I am always there for counsel and guidance, even if that toffee-nosed uppish woman hardly needs one! I don't know what subjects I could talk to her about, but I might try."

Mr. Thornton nearly laughed. This morning, he saw a new change in his mother. Just yesterday morning she had called her improper and snobbish. Even now, she continued to do so. But she wanted to be her confidante. If not be her husband, Mr. Thornton would at least rejoice in her presence at his home. That should be enough for his aching heart to frame memories and imagination."

"I sincerely hope she would agree to your approach, mother. I know she will."

With that, Mrs. Thornton sat back to write the letter. Her sewing can wait for a while.

***

Margaret might be bad at a number of things, but she can be worse at waking up early in the morning.

Ever since she was a child, she had trouble waking up on time. Her mother used to scold her for being late to get up, not proper for a lady of good upbringing, as she believed. She and Dixon were quite firm on waking up on time no matter even if the sky had fallen down! Her father was quite lenient in that case. But Dixon would try patting her once and twice, and the next minute, she would scoop Margaret in her arms like a just-born babe and put her on warm water.

Today, she relived the same nightmare.

The warm water pinched her skin and she was awake in an instant. Dixon kept rambling about Margaret's bad habit, now that it was half past eleven.

"Old habits die hard, Dixon", said Margaret in her husky sleepy voice.

"Miss Margaret, it is important for a lady to wake up on time! Why, you are the mistress of the house! Now that your mother's soul rests in peace, and your father ever easy-going that he was, it lies on me to make you a proper woman!"

"Don't you worry, Dixon. I will try waking up on time."

After helping her dress, Dixon couldn't help but watch her beloved friend's daughter looking ever beautiful even in her mourning dress. She only hoped that Miss Margaret would get married soon enough to an excellent London man. That would help Mrs. Hale's soul rest happily, knowing her daughter to be in good hands.

And with that, she became ready, and came down the stairs, thinking how to spend her day. Father had already had breakfast and went to Lyceum Hall for his lectures as usual. Margaret was happy for her father as his lectures would keep him away from his guilt and grief.

"But what about me?" Margaret asked herself. Her mind started to drift achingly towards yesterday. That dreadful conversation. His confession of his feelings for her having perished forever. His opinion of hers lost to the wind.

She only prayed he would not cancel his classes with her father on her account. He told her yesterday that he would like to be just her father's friend, nothing more, nothing less. But she understood how uncomfortable her presence could make him. She wanted to do something about it, to make the situation easy for all three of them.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Her mind immediately raced to Mr. Thornton. But the next second, she thought it cannot be, for she knew how loud and clear he knocked at the door.
When she opened the door, it was Mary Higgins.

Mary started to help the Hales' household when Frederick Hale was at Crampton for his secret visit. Margaret trusted Mary completely with her secret, and she in return offered to come to her home and help, so that Margaret can cherish her time with her brother after so long. Margaret undoubtedly was grateful for Mary's timely assistance.

After her mother's death and Frederick gone, Mary still wished to continue helping the household. But Margaret didn't wish to impose on her anymore, as she had to even look after the Boucher children. Mary resisted, saying she wished to know more about running households under Dixon's care so that it might help her in the future. She also assured Margaret that the Boucher children's eldest was quite capable of looking after themselves until she would join them by late afternoon.

"Hello Mary, please come in. I thought you wouldn't join us today as it is already about twelve noon."

"I'm sorry, Missie, but ther's some trouble at home. Need ya help, please. Li'l Tom sprained his ankle after having a race with the neighbor kid. Stupid child, now he crying and asking to see ya."

"Oh, that's dreadful! Why did he have to run like that? Christ, I only hope he isn't hurt too much. I will come right away."

"Aye, he scratched his elbows a li'l and cries hard. Father couldn't leave him as it is, and asked me to come to fetch ya."

Margaret fetched her straw hat, informed Dixon, who literally huffed as usual in disgust. Dixon never liked the Higginses, although she was warming towards Mary.

Both girls started to walk fast as their feet could take them towards Princeton. Margaret hoped that the boy would recover soon and felt happy that he had asked to see her. It filled her heart with love and affection. It reminded her of her own childhood when she used to fall down by running in the grass and woods. She would cry incessantly until Fred would clean her wounds and reassure her that she could walk, hop, and run again in no time.

Breaking from her reverie, Margaret asked, "Nicholas is still at home? Isn't he supposed to be at the mill? It's already late!"

"Papa had to go to the station to check some orders... was told by the master to finish it first and then get back to the mill by eleven.. But now it's late, I canna only hope master won't be angry with him... too punctual that he is.. a minute late and he slams the door right on ya face!"

"No. Mary. Mr. Thornton will understand the situation. He does value his time but he is also compassionate."

Mary smirked to herself hearing Miss Hale's words. Compassionate was the farthest word in Mr. Thornton's dictionary, that is, before Miss Hale set her foot in Milton. Now, he showed a bit of a soft corner and empathy towards others.

They had reached the cramped Higgins' household. Tom Boucher's cry was shrill but upon seeing Margaret he wailed softly. Margaret felt her heart pinched to see the boy huddled up in bed beside Nicholas. She examined his foot and saw that it had been swelled up a bit. His right elbow was scraped with a fresh tinge of dried red blood. Overall, it wasn't as bad as it could have been, thankfully.

"Have a seat, lass. Sorry to disturb ya. Boy kept preaching your name like a rooster. The rest of the herd started cryin' too, until I warned them that they will never see ya again if they do, haha."

"Nicholas, I won't stop coming here no matter what! I love the children as much as they love me. Thank god, Tom's wounds are not too bad. Dixon gave me an ointment and an oil to be used. This will help little Tom".

"Aye, will it burn my skin, Margie?", asked Tom trying to control his tears.

"No dear, it will not, I hope. But please be careful. It wouldn't do to hurt yourself while playing, it can end up worse sometimes, Tom. Promise me, you will take care?"

"I do, missie!"

After a few assuring words, Margaret tended to the lad's wounds. Little did she know that she was being watched keenly by a visitor, who was standing tall and firm by the door.

Mr. Thornton was waiting for the past half an hour for Higgins. He hardly realized that it had been more than four hours since he kept filling his ledgers and walking the floor, checking after everything. The work was swiftly happening, spic and span. He had asked Higgins to not come directly to the mill that day but rather go to the railway station to ensure the orders were carted properly. He had to be back an hour ago, but he hadn't returned yet.

His absence led Mr. Thornton to worry. But he surmised that all would be well, for it was Higgins he had assigned the task. Yet, he was becoming quite restless and decided to go to the station directly and see for himself.

While he was walking towards the station, he came across two young women hurrying as swiftly as a breeze towards Princeton. He immediately recognized them to be Miss Hale and Mary Higgins. He saw them walk fast with a brief confusion patched up in their faces. It was a guilty pleasure to see her after yesterday's terrible conversation. He wanted to apologize to her for his harsh words and continue maintaining a friendship with the Hales. But now after seeing her hurrying towards Higgins' home, he became suspicious that something wrong had happened to his foreman. He rushed to Princeton, following the two women, keeping his distance, so that they wouldn't notice.

He reached just on time and was about to knock on the door. But the door was slightly ajar and he could see her sitting calmly by the bedside. After a little scrutiny, he understood that it was Tom Boucher who was hurt and she was tending to his wounds. She spoke such reassuring kind words to the young lad, patted him, and embraced him saying all would be well and that he needed to take care while he played. This scene was too domestic and natural, and Mr. Thornton's mind raced to his own reverie... Miss Hale, his Margaret tending to her, no, their child after he had fallen down while playing...

His daydreams were broken by Nicholas.

"Aye, look ya'll who's here! Master Thornton. Do come in, God knows how much time ye been standing at the door watching lord knows what!"

Margaret sprang to her feet. The door was still closed until it started to open slowly but steadily, to reveal the tall figure she expected to see. Mr. Thornton came inside the cramped household wondering what to say. His gaze was fixed on his object of affections, although his reply was directed to Nicholas.

"Well, it became late and I became impatient. Thought something went wrong in the station with them orders."

"Ye, Tom yanked his ankle on the street. Tryna race with the kid next door, only to end up with a brok'n foot. Asked for Miss Margaret all the time and didn't let me come to ya mill. Thought to come as soon as possible once the lassie comes.

"I see. How is he now, Miss Hale? I see you were tending to his wounds. Should I fetch Doctor Donaldson?"

"He will be fine, Mr. Thornton. I don't see any need for the doctor yet, for you see, it's quite usual for children to fall while they play. I only hope he doesn't hurt himself badly next time."

Her answer impressed Mr. Thornton. It was good to see and hear her, although she avoided looking at him while speaking. Just then, Mary interfered-

"But master, how do ya know she here? I mean papa here?"

Everyone noticed what Mary just blabbered. Margaret turned red while Mr. Thornton stammered.

"Aye lass, he knows everything. Now you stop gawking and check the stew. Let Tom rest". Nicholas managed to cover up the situation.

Mr. Thornton, having nothing come to mind to say, said- "Higgins, you can stay here to look after Tom if you want. I will excuse you for a day. What say, Miss Hale? He needs a day off, doesn't he?"

"I don't think so. Tom is fierce and it's nothing much, really. But Nicholas can stay here if that's what Tom wants, although I see that the boy is already asleep."

"I will go to the mill, canna stay at home, work is pending. The hands won't work and keep talkin' their mouths off if I ain't there. Meanwhile, if the master can escort Miss Margaret back to home..."

That was all Mr. Thornton needed to hear. He remembered that he had to apologize for his harsh words to her yesterday. Before Higgins could finish, he sprang at the offer.

"Miss Hale, yes, I can escort you back home, if you wouldn't mind, that is."

Margaret was deeply confused. Hadn't he just told her that he didn't care about her anymore? Now, why the offer to escort? He knew well that she toured Princeton almost every day alone, without an escort. Now, with this offer and his terrible words of yesterday still fresh in mind, Margaret decided to politely decline the request. She wasn't able to bear Mr. Thornton's mixed attitude towards her.

"No, Mr. Thornton. I thank you, but I can manage alone. Princeton is nothing new to me and you men must have work to discuss and complete. I take my leave. Bye, Mary and Nicholas."

With that, she planted a kiss on Tom's forehead, fetched her hat, and hurried out of the door.

Mr. Thornton felt a bit humiliated but he knew this was to come. Hadn't he insulted her just yesterday? How would she have him escort her back home right after hearing his miserable words? He was dejected, and the Higginses noticed him with confusion.

Nicholas stirred his thoughts.

"Anythin' wrong with both of ye? Argument again?"

"Yes. But this time, I think it will be our last argument. She will not have me", Mr. Thornton muttered sadly under his breath.

Mary and Nicholas were stunned. It was no surprise that half of the town had an idea of something brewing up between the master and the southern lass. Yet now, both of them stood at opposite ends.
Both men took their leave. The Boucher children were busy playing house, Tom was resting, while Mary was deep in thought.

It was Bessie who was a dear friend of Margaret's. Mary was an introvert by birth, and more so, Miss Hale had always intrigued her. At first, she thought that her sister's friendship with the southern woman would not last long. No matter what, Miss Hale did have an air of grace and pride in her. She believed that Margaret would not visit Princeton for long, for the dirty part of the town that it was. But contrary to what she expected, Miss Hale proved to be a good friend not just to her dying sister but to the entire family. She helped not just with her baskets but with her enduring support. Still Miss Hale was like an enigma to Mary. But while dying, Bessie asked Mary to be a good friend to Margaret, now that she will be ascending to heaven. Mary promised.

While Miss Hale was well aware of the Higgins' household's in and out, Mary never knew what kind of life Miss Hale led. She wanted to befriend Miss Hale for she sure knew the lass faced her troubles as well. Slowly, both women started to warm towards each other. Margaret talked about her time in Helstone and London, her brother Frederick and the mutiny he led, her first thoughts of Milton, and even about the strike. She revealed that Boucher's stone had hit her and the entire gossip was about her. In return, Mary talked about her sister Bessie, their childhood, Milton's trade and culture, and her dead mother Celia.

With everything Miss Hale said to her, Mary's respect and admiration for her only grew. She decided to be a good listener and helper to her in times of need, as much as she was to them.

One day, when Mary was clearing the linens in every room of the Hales' household under Dixon's orders, she noticed a pair of rich black shiny gloves on Margaret's nightstand. It was hidden under a pile of books and Miss Hale's basket. At first, Mary thought that it belonged to her father or her brother; more so, it must be a keepsake given by her brother before he escaped back to Spain. But when Mary took a deeper look, she realized that she had rather seen the same in someone else's hands, but couldn't recollect whose. She quickly peered at the gloves and knew that they were made of excellent quality. Another quick look at the rim of the gloves put her in shock. She saw initials of a person, letters which were present in none of the Hales' names.

JGT.

John George Thornton.

Mary silently settled the gloves back in place, cleared the linens, and went to the kitchen. While kneading the dough, she thought why Miss Margaret was in possession of Mr. Thornton's gloves. She had seen her withdrawn and sorrowful than usual, but she had attributed it to be as a result of her mother's death and brother's misfortune. Now, she understood that something was off between Miss Margaret and the master, and more so, Miss Margaret Hale was in love.

She wanted both of them to resolve their differences and become together if fate and hope were true. Bessie was the first to hint at such a thing while she was still alive. "Ya see for sure, the lovely lass and master gonna live under the same roof one day, mark my words, Mary", she had exclaimed. At that time, Mary hardly bothered. But now, she wished for the same.

She was not the one to pry in someone else's affairs. But Miss Margaret Hale was not someone else. She was one of their own. Mary decided