“All life is a struggle, though,” said Dallington, “and working men must have their share.”
“I have been much interested in hearing of your plan in regard to your own workpeople,” said Mr. Whitwell. “I hope it will succeed. You are spending an immense sum of money on the new town which you are founding. I know that because of the little I have tried to do on my own farm. I hope you are not doomed to disappointment.”
“I am not afraid of that. I am spending all that I have at present; but my London places occupy valuable sites, which I shall have no difficulty in selling. My hopes are sanguine in regard to my people, although I know that human nature is a very difficult thing to deal with. The people need new natures more than anything, but I believe that we are all greatly influenced by our environments, and my men shall have a chance.”
“All sorts of good influences are being exerted upon young people to-day,” remarked Mr. Whitwell, “and therein lies my hope for the future.”
“Yes; and the wisdom and patience of those home missionaries who have taken London in hand appear unfailing,” said Knight, glancing at Tom, who returned the glance with a comical smile. “Several educated men are giving all their leisure to the boys belonging to my establishment, and there are some ladies who are bringing about very happy changes in the homes of the people.”
“Miss Wentworth has not gone to Madeira this winter, Arthur, has she?” asked Dallington.
“No; and she spends all her days in doing good. There is a young lady, too, who is occasionally seen by the bedside of the sick, who is like an angel of light”—Tom flushed violently, and shook her head warningly—“but” proceeded Knight, “perhaps the best work of all is that which is accomplished by an individual who seems to have no name, but is known as ‘the Basket Woman,’ because she carries to the doors of the people all sorts of necessary articles in a basket and sells them. She is a lady of culture and refinement, very good and sympathetic, and most sensible too, and she has brought about quite a change in one of the worst courts of London. She appears to be alone; and at first I wondered what her friends could be thinking of to let her be there in the midst of so much that is degrading; but now the men of the neighbourhood would not let a hair of her head be hurt, so entirely has she won their confidence and affection. The Basket Woman is preparing nearly five hundred people for their new home in Wales as I think no one else could. She heartens up the women, and looks well after the children, especially the boys. She has a large number of the young crusaders under her care.”
“What a wonderful movement that is!” commenced Mr. Whitwell; but Tom interrupted him.
“Excuse me, father. I must ask Mr. Knight to tell us more of this Basket Woman. What is she like? Is she young or old?”
“She is young and fairly good-looking, and quite devoted to her work. But she gives me the impression of an individual who has had trouble, and is even now undergoing considerable anxiety of some kind. She must have private means, though she lives economically in cheap lodgings in the neighbourhood of the people for whom she works, but she is able to relieve distress when it is genuine.”