Men and women were beginning to sing at their work again, for as one result of the day John spent with Harlow, his lordship had opened a plain, good, and very cheap furniture store, where the workers in cotton factories could renew on easy installments the furniture they had sold for a mouthful of bread.

It was known only as "The Hatton Furniture Store" and John Hatton, while denying any share in its business, stood as guarantee for its honesty, and no one was afraid to open an account there.

It really seemed as if Hatton village had never before been so busy, so hopeful, and so full of life.

The factory bell had never sounded so cheerful.

The various societies and civic brotherhood meetings never had been so crowded and so cordial.