Old Mr. Carson is savage against judge and jury,
and lawyers and all, as I heard."
"I must go to him, I must go to him," repeated Mary, in a hurried
manner.
"He'll tell you all I've said is true, and not a word of lie,"
replied Sally. "So I'll not give your answer to Miss Simmonds, but
leave you to think twice about it. Good afternoon!"
Mary shut the door, and turned into the house.
Her father sat in the same attitude; the old unchanging attitude.
Only his head was more bowed towards the ground.
She put on her bonnet to go to Ancoats; for see, and question, and
comfort, and worship Jem, she must.
As she hung about her father for an instant before leaving him, he
spoke--voluntarily spoke for the first time since her return; but
his head was drooping so low she could not hear what he said, so she
stooped down; and after a moment's pause, he repeated the words--
"Tell Jem Wilson to come here at eight o'clock to-night."
Could he have overheard her conversation with Sally Leadbitter?
They had whispered low, she thought. Pondering on this, and many
other things, she reached Ancoats.
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