[CHAPTER XI]
An Incident at the Mill
On a morning when Beth took her turn at marketing she met Mather on the street. "It's four days since you were at the house," she reminded him.
"Is there really any advantage in my coming often?" he asked her.
"I don't know," she answered plaintively. "But Judith has very little to do. You might ask her to visit the mill."
"Come any time. Both of you," he responded.
"I'll bring her this morning," she said quickly.
But when Mather had been another hour at the mill he forgot the engagement thus made. For in going about he noticed that the quiet in the place was different from the bustle of ordinary days; the men seemed expectant. Then as he passed near one of the older workmen the man spoke to him under his voice.
"Look out this morning, sir."