The Writings Of Mrs. Humphry Ward Volume 9; Helbeck Of Bannisdale

Synopsis

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1911 Excerpt: ... theer ud bin noa harm doon--bit he mut ha tried to draw it back--an the barrer pulled him right in.' 'He didn't suffer?' said Laura eagerly, her face close under his. 'Thank the Lord, he can ha known nowt aboot it!--nowt at aw. The gas 'ud throttle him, Miss, afore he felt the fire.' 'Is there a wife?' 'Noa--he coom here a widower three weeks sen--there's a little gell--' 'Aye! they be gone for her an t' passon boath, ' said another voice; 'what's passon to do whan he cooms?' 'Salve the masters' consciences!' cried a third, in fury. 'They'll burn us to Hell first, and then quieten us with praying.' Many faces turned to the speaker, a thin wiry man, one of the 'agitators' of the town, and a dull groan went round. 'Make way there!' cried an imperious voice, and the crowd between them and the entrance side of the shed began to part. A gentleman came through, leading a clergyman, who walked hurriedly, with eyes downcast, holding his book against his breast. There was a flutter of caps through the vast shed. Every head stood bared and bent. On went the parson towards the little platform with the railway. The furnace had sunk somewhat--its roar was less acute--Laura looking at it thought of the gorged beast that falls to rest. But another parting of the throng--one sob!--the common sob of hundreds. Laura looked. 'It's t' little gell, Ned! t' little gell!' said the elder workman to the youth he was supporting. And there in the midst of the blackened crowd of men was a child, frightened and weeping, led tenderly forward by a grey-haired workman, who looked down upon her, quite unconscious of the tears that furrowed his own cheeks. 'Oh, let me--let me go!' cried Laura. The men about her fell back. They made a way for her to the child. The old woman had disappeared. ...