"And they will not come?"
"No. I have offered to meet them half-way. It is of no use."
"Then I think those men deserve to learn what want of employment means," she returned warmly. "I thought your men were intelligent; I used to know many of them. When I go amongst them--and that may be tomorrow---I shall ask them if they have taken leave of their senses. What does Mrs. Gass say to it all?"
Richard smiled a little. Mrs. Gass said more than he did, he answered, but it was equally useless.
"And I suppose it is the strike that is troubling Mr. North? I think him so very much changed."
"It troubles him, of course--and there are other things."
"Does it trouble you?" asked Miss Dallory, pointedly, as she looked straight at him.
"Trouble me!" he rejoined, surprised at the unnecessary question. "Why, it involves simply ruin, unless we can go on again. Ruin to me, and to my father with me. There's your brother."
They had reached the lawn at length, and saw Francis Dallory, who had come for his sister. He was a short, fair young man, with an open countenance. Madam had already appropriated him.
"Where's Arthur?" demanded madam, imperiously, as Miss Dallory came up on Richard's arm. "I thought he was with you."