I dare say I am talking in great ignorance; but from the little I know, Ishould say that the masses were already passing rapidly into thetroublesome stage which intervenes between childhood and manhood,in the life of the multitude as well as that of the individual. Now, theerror which many parents commit in the treatment of the individual atthis time is, insisting on the same unreasoning obedience as when all hehad to do in the way of duty was, to obey the simple laws of "Comewhen you"re called and "Do as you"re bid!" But a wise parent humoursthe desire for independent action, so as to become the friend and adviserwhen his absolute rule shall cease. If I get wrong in my reasoning,recollect, it is you who adopted the analogy."
"Very lately," said Margaret, "I heard a story of what happened inNuremberg only three or four years ago. A rich man there lived alone inone of the immense mansions which were formerly both dwellings andwarehouses. It was reported that he had a child, but no one knew of itfor certain. For forty years this rumour kept rising and falling--neverutterly dying away. After his death it was found to be true. He had a son-an overgrown man with the unexercised intellect of a child, whom hehad kept up in that strange way, in order to save him from temptationand error. But, of course, when this great old child was turned loose intothe world, every bad counsellor had power over him. He did not knowgood from evil. His father had made the blunder of bringing him up inignorance and taking it for innocence; and after fourteen months ofriotous living, the city authorities had to take charge of him, in order tosave him from starvation. He could not even use words effectivelyenough to be a successful beggar."
"I used the comparison (suggested by Miss Hale) of the position of themaster to that of a parent; so I ought not to complain of your turning thesimile into a weapon against me. But, Mr. Hale, when you were settingup a wise parent as a model for us, you said he humoured his children intheir desire for independent action. Now certainly, the time is not comefor the hands to have any independent action during business hours; Ihardly know what you would mean by it then. And I say, that themasters would be trenching on the independence of their hands, in away that I, for one, should not feel justified in doing, if we interferedtoo much with the life they lead out of the mills. Because they labourten hours a-day for us, I do not see that we have any right to imposeleading-strings upon them for the rest of their time. I value my ownindependence so highly that I can fancy no degradation greater than thatof having another man perpetually directing and advising and lecturingme, or even planning too closely in any way about my actions. Hemight be the wisest of men, or the most powerful--I should equallyrebel and resent his interference I imagine this is a stronger feeling inthe North of England that in the South."
"I beg your pardon, but is not that because there has been none of theequality of friendship between the adviser and advised classes? Becauseevery man has had to stand in an unchristian and isolated position, apartfrom and jealous of his brother-man: constantly afraid of his rightsbeing trenched upon?"
"I only state the fact. I am sorry to say, I have an appointment at eighto"clock, and I must just take facts as I find them to-night, without tryingto account for them; which, indeed, would make no difference indetermining how to act as things stand--the facts must be granted."
"But," said Margaret in a low voice, "it seems to me that it makes all thedifference in the world--." Her father made a sign to her to be silent, andallow Mr. Thornton to finish what he had to say. He was alreadystanding up and preparing to go.
"You must grant me this one point. Given a strong feeling ofindependence in every Darkshire man, have I any right to obtrude myviews, of the manner in which he shall act, upon another (hating it as Ishould do most vehemently myself), merely because he has labour tosell and I capital to buy?"
