Something he must say, and the most insignificant phrase was the best.
'Will you sit--rest after your walk ?' She did so; scarcely could she have stood longer.

And with the physical ease there seemed to come a sudden mental relief.

A thought sprang up, opening upon her like a haven of refuge.
'There is one thing I should like to ask of you,' she began, forcing herself to regard him directly.

'It is a great thing, I am afraid; it may be impossible.' 'Will you tell me what it is ?' he said, quietly filling the pause that followed.
'I am thinking of New Wanley.' She saw a change in his face, slight, but still a change.

She spoke more quickly.
'Will you let the works remain as they are, on the same plan?
Will you allow the workpeople to live under the same rules?
I have been among them constantly, and I am sure that nothing but good results have come of--of what my husband has done.