"N&S: John Thornton, Love Lessons", by Gratiana Lovelace (2013-2014) (Done)

Ch. 18 (PG): Mrs. Thornton's 1st Monday with the Dillard Children

Williams:  Hurrying over to her, he tips his cap to her. “Mrs. Thornton.  Is there something I may do for you?”

Hannah sees Nicholas Higgins [(2) right] standing against the wall and she beckons for him to also join their conversation. Williams bristles at Higgins being called over.  But Hannah knows that Higgins has gained John’s trust, and that is good enough for her.

Higgins:  “Mrs. Thornton, Maam.” He tips his cap to her with an expression of curiosity upon his face.  For though Higgins speaks his mind with Master John Thornton, Mrs. Hannah Thornton is altogether another matter entirely.

Hannah:  She nods at both men.  “Gentleman, Were you aware that a mill child named Lissa Dillard was purposely injured by her loom weaver on Saturday?  Her arm is broken.”  Hannah boldly questions them.

Williams:  His brow furrows.  “No, Maam!”  He is speaking the truth, for no one brought the incident to his attention.

Higgins:  He shifts his eyes cagily and nods his head.  “Yes, Maam.  It twere I that urged the Dillards to seek Dr. Ogilvy’s care for their daughter.  My apologies if it intruded upon your plans that evening.”

Hannah:  “Our plans are not your concern!  The child needed medical care … and she is receiving it.”  Hannah hedges [(3) right], not yet wanting to admit that the child is staying with her while she convalesces, lest they think that she has grown soft.

Higgins: “Beggin yer pardon, Mrs. Thornton.”  He back peddles.

Hannah:   Hannah narrows her eyes at Higgins.  “The loom weaver who caused the girl harm must be sacked.”

Both Higgins and Williams eyebrows raise--but for different reasons.

Williams:   “If that is your wish, Mrs. Thornton.”  Williams fails to see how a fluff girl getting injured is the loom weaver’s fault.  But then, he is only the Overseer.  Then he admits begrudgingly.  “But I am not certain which loom weaver this girl worked for.  And I do not want to sack a good worker for nothing.”

Hannah:  “It is not for nothing, as you call it.  The loom weaver waited until the girl's hand was near the underside of the loom and she jerked the shuttle across, hitting her and breaking her arm!”  Hannah says in disgust.  “That is not to be tolerated!”

Higgins:  “I know which weaver it twere, Maam.” He interjects as he glances at Williams.

Williams:   “Higgins, hold your tongue!  You’re just a worker, and a union agitator at that!”  Williams adds hoping to discredit Higgins in front of Mrs. Thornton. But it backfires.

Hannah:  “Be still!”  She glowers at Williams, then turns to Higgins.  “Higgins, tell us the loom weaver’s name.”

Higgins: “Yes, I am a Union Man. But no child should be hurt.  The loom weaver that hurt the Dillard girl twere Hilda Benton, Maam.”

Hannah: “Very well.  Williams, sack this Benton woman when she arrives--and tell her precisely why she is being sacked. … And I want Higgins to be present when you do it.”

Again, both men’s faces reveal their shock.

Williams:  “Higgins?  Why?  I am Overseer.  It falls to me to fire her, not to him.”

Hannah:  “But Mr. Higgins is one of the union representatives.”

Higgins: “I’m a Committeeman, Maam.”  He corrects her proudly.

Hannah:   “Of course.”  She nods, though she is unsure what his rank means in union hierarchy, she understands that owners must deal with unions now or suffer the dire financial consequences with strikes.  “Williams, I want no one to misconstrue Benton’s sacking.  It should be made clear that worker safety is uppermost in our minds--especially for the children who work here.