'I think you began to criticise me, almost as soon as I got here.'
'And then, Hazel, how long was it before you began to forgive me?'
'O there was no forgiveness in question,' she said, passing his words with a blush. 'The criticising shewed a little bit of real interest. And that is what I had been as hungry for, as your mill people for more tangible things. But I did not mean that I thoughtI did not think about it at all. Not much.'
'Not allnot much,' said Rollo. 'No. Only a little. I understand. And what should I have got for my pains, if I had pressed the final question a year ago?'
'I did not think a little,' said Hazel, looking flushed and downcast,'only when you made me. And when people talked.'
Rollo enjoyed the sight a minute or two, and then proposed a run. He kept it a very gentle run, however, and when they came to a talking pace again resumed the subject of the mills.
'How much have you thought about it?' he asked. 'What next would you propose?'
'Does your increase of wages let the children stay at home when they are sick? and the little ones when they are well?'
'I admit no children under twelve nor employ any families that send their little children to other mills. That was one of the first steps I took; to settle that. The other thing is somewhat less easy to manage. I cannot make a rule. There would be endless shamming. The only way is to keep a careful supervision myself, and send home any child manifestly unfit for work. In such a case I keep on the wages for one week; at the end of that time the child comes, or doesn't come. If the latter, I know something is very much amiss, and look after the case accordingly. And this matter, as yet, I can trust to nobody but myself.'
'You can trust me,' said Hazel. 'In such matters women's eyes are surer than men's.'