But, to her surprise, when she got home she found that Bessie had so far succeeded in reassuring the faithful soul, that she had managed to begin her duties; while Bessie herself had assumed the leadership in the workshop, and she with two of the apprentices were labouring harder than ever to make up for the absence of the master.
Simon Tompkins had gone home to tell his mother the disastrous news; but the others did not mean to be outdone by a girl, and so had resolved to stay and help their master over his misfortune, if it was possible.
"She just made us feel ashamed of ourselves," said one of the lads, when Dame Drayton went down to the workshop, and she and the senior apprentice were discussing what had better be done. "Sim said his mother would not like him to stay with a Quaker, and thought he had better go home at once. We might have done the same if Bessie had not said she should stay and work as long as she could get any to do; and so we decided to wait and see what would happen."
"I thank thee for thy thoughtfulness," answered the lady, wishing she knew as much of her husband's business as Bessie did; for now she was at her wit's end to know how to manage and what to do.
She would not let the lads see her distress and how little she understood of the business details; but as she passed the corner where Bessie was at work, the girl saw the tears in her eyes, and at once guessed the cause.
"May I come with you?" she asked, as the lady was leaving the workshop.
Dame Drayton held out her hand, and Bessie slipped hers into it.
"Friend Martha, didst thou see my mother yesterday?" she asked eagerly.
"Nay, Bessie; I was not taken to Bridewell, but to Newgate. Poor child, poor child!" she said, laying her hand on Bessie's shoulder, and drawing her to her side as she entered the quiet keeping-room.
"May I tell thee what I have been thinking?" said Bessie, sitting down on a low stool at the lady's feet. "I have learned to do a good deal to the hats, and Friend Drayton said I could do it as well, or almost as well, as he; but there are some things I cannot do, and yet it would not take a man long to finish off our work, if we all did it carefully, as Tom says he will do for the future."