On her return, the question recurred,
“If we have to leave this place, where shall we go?”
“Somewhere near the Deep Cut, it is my opinion. There will be much custom of all sorts there, when it is opened as a place of trade.”
“But there will be collieries near, and more burnings.”
“Not so as to trouble us, for some time to come. The proportion they have been in the habit of burning here, you know, is about 20 per cent. It will be some time before this becomes of much consequence in a new situation; and we will choose our place carefully. Besides, I cannot but think that, before long, everybody will see the folly of making such waste, for the sake of selling coal by measure instead of weight. If so, there will soon be an end of the burning.”
“And you think garden stuff will be much in request in the Deep Cut.”
“No doubt. There will be such a settling of people about that beautiful sluice, that there will be room for more gardeners than one.”
“And for ropemakers, among other craftsmen. I think Adam had better go, and make new ropes for the new ships that will carry away the new coals.”
“Ah! if he was settled down with us in a place where he might work prosperously for himself, he might prove steadier than his mother expects he will.”
“Beside us,—not with us,” said Effie. “You would not think of having any one to make a third again, would you? How comfortable every thing is this evening, while we are alone!——But how do you think your father will get on by himself?”