Part 110 (1/2)
Southwode.”
”They never do. And as I told you, there is never a question of strikes.
Neither do we ever have a time of bad business. The work done is so thorough and has been so long well known, that we never need to ask for orders. We never lose by making bad debts; and we never give notes, or take them. I say 'we'--I am using the old formula--it is all in my hand now.”
”Why are not other people wise enough to make such arrangements and have the same sort of comfort?”
”Men fail to recognize their common humanity with those under them. That has been the basis of our management from the beginning. But the chapel, and the religious influence, are of later date.--I must find a ring for this finger, Rotha.”
”A ring!” exclaimed the girl.
”Yes. Is not that the custom here? to make people remember what they have pledged themselves to?--” he said smiling.
”Oh never mind that, Mr. Southwode!” said Rotha hurriedly. ”Go on and tell me more about your mill people.”
”What shall I tell you?”
”About your ways,--and their ways. When do they have dinner?”
”Between one and two. They have an hour for it. A little after half past one they go to work again and work till six; only they have time allowed them for tea and coffee at half past four.”
”There is no drinking, I suppose?”
”Not even of beer. Half the people do their work at their own homes; they bring it in on certain days, when we give them hot tea and coffee and bread and cheese, which they have without paying for it. That saves them from the temptation of the public houses; and there is no such thing as drunkenness known in the community.”
”Tea and coffee seem to play a great part,” said Rotha.
”So they do. People steadily at work in any mechanical way need frequent refreshment of body, which also in some degree is refreshment of mind; and there, as beer and whiskey are banished, tea and coffee come in happily. I do not know how they would manage without them.--Then in various ways we minister to the people and care for them; so that we are like one big family. When any are sick, they are paid at least half wages all the time; and by clubbing together it is generally made up to full wages. We have hospitals, where they have board and lodging and care in addition to half wages; but there is no compulsion about going to the hospitals. And whenever any of them are in any sort of trouble, they come to us for counsel and sympathy and help; my father knew them all personally, and so do I, and so did my dear mother when she was living.
But a mistress is wanted there now, Rotha,” Mr. Southwode went on. ”I cannot do all I would alone, nor half so well what I do. Your place is ready.”
”O do not speak so!” cried Rotha catching her breath. ”I wish I were fit for it.”
”Fit for it!” said he, putting his hand under her chin and drawing his fingers slowly along the delicate outlines, while the blood mounted into her cheeks and flamed out vividly.
”You make me feel so very small, telling me all these things!” she said.
”They are such grand things! And what am I?”
He lifted her face, not without a little resistance on her part, till he could reach her lips, and gave his answer there first; gave it tenderly, and laughingly.
”You are mine,” he said; ”and what is mine I do not like anybody to find fault with, except myself.”
”I mean it seriously, Mr. Digby--” Rotha made effort to say.
”So do I. And seriously, I want you there very much. I want your help in the schools, and with men, women and children out of the schools. It is pleasant work too. They are always glad to see me; and they will be more glad to see you.”
”Never!” said Rotha energetically. ”What is the name of the place? you never told me.”
”Southwode.”
”Southwode! That is pretty.”
”I am glad you think so. I will shew you, if I can, a little what the house is like.”