'I doubt it, sir; but you'd better see him. He says his message won't wait.'
Thus entreated, George left the telephone and went to the gate.
'Excuse me, Mr George,' said the man, standing bareheaded to speak to him, which even George knew was a token of great respect—was it also sympathy?—coming from a mill-hand of his father's. 'Excuse me, but we think you're wanted at Howroyd's. There's been an accident'——
'An accident? To whom?' interrupted George.
'To the—to Mr Clay, sir,' said the man.
George was just hurrying off, but stopped for a moment. Suppose this were a ruse to get him out of the mills. He half-thought of trying to get a message to Sarah before leaving the mills.
But the man, seeming to guess his thoughts, said, 'We sha'n't interfere with the mills, sir, if you'll take my word for it.'
'You can scarcely expect me to feel very secure, can you?' said George quietly.
'No, sir, I know; but I swear to you I'll fetch you if you're wanted here. But do you go to Howroyd's at once,' said the man so earnestly that George hesitated no longer. Touching his hat as he passed them, he walked rapidly to his uncle's, where he found all in confusion.
The first person he saw was Sarah. 'What is the matter with father?' he asked.