"Well! I'd got a trace of my child--the missus thought she'd gone to th' workhouse to be nursed; and there I went--and there, sure enough, she had been--and they'd turned her out as she were strong, and told her she were young enough to work--but whatten kind o' work would be open to her, lad, and her baby to keep?"Will listened to his mother's tale with deep sympathy, not unmixed with the old bitter shame. But the opening of her heart had unlocked his, and after awhile he spoke -"Mother! I think I'd e'en better go home. Tom can stay wi' thee. Iknow I should stay too, but I cannot stay in peace so near--her--without craving to see her--Susan Palmer, I mean.""Has the old Mr. Palmer thou telled me on a daughter?" asked Mrs.
Leigh.
"Ay, he has. And I love her above a bit. And it's because I love her I want to leave Manchester. That's all."Mrs. Leigh tried to understand this speech for some time, but found it difficult of interpretation.
