Mrs Clay looked up eagerly when the two returned. Sarah, too, looked up, and, though she did not show it, she was just as anxious to hear the result. But neither of them dared to put any questions to Mr Clay.
'Here's a young lady who wanted to be a millionaire for five minutes,' he said, with a hoarse laugh.
'W'atever do you mean, Mark?' asked Mrs Clay timidly.
'It's all right, Mrs Clay. Mr Clay agreed to do what they wanted,' said Horatia hastily, to relieve her anxiety.
'Nay, lass, that I didn't. I agreed to do what you wanted, and that's a very different thing, as the men'll find out if they try it on again. There's only one will in Clay's Mills, and one person to have any wants,' said the mill-owner.
'What does he mean about your being a millionaire for five minutes?' demanded Sarah, who did not want her father to begin a tirade about Clay's Mills and his rights.
'I just wanted to be a millionaire for five minutes, and Mr Clay let me.—You are good-natured to me!' Horatia said, turning to her host and beaming at him.
'And you used that five minutes' power to give the men their way? They'll always want it now,' said Sarah slowly.
'That's what I'm a bit afraid of; but I'll teach them a lesson next time,' said Mr Clay grimly.
'Oh Mark! don't be 'ard on 'em,' began Mrs Clay.