Margaret Hale and John Thornton　2 of 21

-

 

＊＊

The sun was setting and its light reflected in Margaret's hair.

 "I wonder if the Higgenses are all well... I sent a letter, but never got a reply."

 Margaret appeared relaxed as she took off her jacket.

 John looked charmed by the sight of her in her blouse.

 "Even in the final days of the mill, that fellow stubbornly kept working."

 He laughed slightly.

 "I see... Was he such a serious person?"

 John’s expression implied that was the case.

 

Margaret looked at John.

 "When Nicholas was allowed to work at your mill, he was surprised."

 "What? Because of the machine?"

 "No, because of you," she continued.

 "'The master came to my house!' he said. 'He apologized to me. He was sorry for assuming I lied about my adoption.' he said."

 "..."

 "You were the mill owner...and the only person who could do that. I... when I heard that... I was so proud. It was because of you."

 John's face relaxed and he smiled modestly.

 

＊＊

 

The scenery outside continued to drift by.

 John said he would think a little.

 "If I hadn't met Higgins yesterday, right now...I don't think I'd be doing this. If it weren't for what that fellow said."

 "...Pardon?"

 This time Margaret asked.

 After thinking about his words for a while, John looked at Margaret.

 "I never knew you had a brother."

 "Ah..."

 She started to speak but her voice was too quiet and drowned out by the sound of the train.

 John continued:

 "I always thought that the man I saw at the station was your lover... I never had a doubt."

 Margaret looked down and muttered "my brother..."

 "I'm sorry I never told you myself. There were a few chances to say it, but...honestly, I..."

 John watched her gold earrings twitch.

 He said calmly:

 "I'm glad it was your brother."

 He pulled her close with his left arm and pressed his bearded cheek against the earring.

 He said one more time:

 "I'm glad...it was your brother."

 He hugged her shoulder for a while as the train swayed side to side.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Margaret Hale and John Thornton　20 of 21

-
  ＊＊ John Walked from the spinning room to his office in the mill. AS opening the door h e saw the back of the woman near the window. “Ah... " He  knew immediately that it was Margaret.    He'd never met her in the office before.  Margaret turned and shifted her gaze to John.  Her eyes lit up. He teasingly asked her.  “A re you waiting for someone here, Miss Hale? ” She thought for a moment and answered it. “Oh, yes. I'm waiting for the  master who is honest, punctual, quick, resolute in all his doings. Do you know where he is? ” They giggled. She walked straight into the arms that were opening to her.   Margaret looked over his desk. “Well, this is the second time I've waited for you here ." With a smile she  nostalgically  said. "The first time your overseer  led me to this room. It was the day my family had come to Milton and I was looking for our house. "   Take me to see this ‘ Mr. Thornton ’ Stay here, miss. I'll fin...
Read more

Margaret Hale and John Thornton　1 of 21

-
Image
  “You're coming home with me__” The train slowly began to move as John, holding Margaret's luggage, closed the compartment door.  ＊＊ They sat side by side as the greenery outside the windows began to speed up around them. Looking at the pretty yellow flower in the palm of her hand, Margaret began to reminisce.  “There will be no people there like us… in Milton. How can there be?” “We will manage, Mother.” At that time, she was stroking this flower while going to Milton with a desperate feeling. But now, it was with hope that she was traveling north. John had been watching Margaret and said to her calmly:  "One time at your house, Helstone came up in conversation... Mr. Hale was talking about those roses."  "Father was?"  Margaret turned to him who nodded yes.  "When in season, the house would be surrounded in yellow and green because of them. When I asked if it was the work of a gardener, he said he hardly did anything.  He laughed that the ...
Read more

Margaret Hale and John Thornton　21 of 21

-
＊＊   It was the day they left for London for the wedding.  Passengers and porters came and went on the platform at Milton Station.  There was the steam from the train, mixed with coal dust, drifting in the air. Margaret and John were walking on the platform. Dixon followed to see them off.  As he opened the compartment door, Dixon looked radiant and said: "It's your time, Miss Margaret." “ Dixon, you should come on this train with us. ” She faced her servant, who replied laughing. "I wouldn't be so insensitive.  “ A train coming from the south entered on the other side of the platform.  Margaret looked at the train, which made her remember the day her family arrived at Milton.   “ We ’ ll be on the streets … in a strange place. ” “ We will manage, Mother. It ’ s not another planet. ” The sound of metal scraping against metal echoed over and over again. The billowing smoke obscured their vision for a moment. A thin whistle signaled the train to stop. "O...
Read more