The first cause of her remarks had been the sight of some scaffolding which had been erected about one of the cathedral towers, and which appeared to excite her very much, for she leant her head out of the window that she might be able to observe it more closely. Then she drew in her head again with a laugh that was short and dry, and an expression that appeared to border on contempt. ‘_Well_,’ she exclaimed, ‘not finished yet!’ The tradesman’s wife heard her, and heaved a placid sigh. ‘Ah!’ she breathed out softly, ‘_and it never will be._’ Her manner was that of one who pronounces some final verdict. ‘An’ yet it must ha’ been many years abuilding,’ the stranger remarked, with renewed contempt, again leaning out of the window, with her eyes fixed upon the venerable towers above the town. Her remark was a challenge, or at least was taken as such, and the tradesman’s wife hastened to explain herself. ‘You see,’ she said, ‘it’s a fack as I have heerd, as all the cathedrals belong to the Roman Catholliks, an’ they keeps the woorkmen always at woork upon ’em, for fear lest the Catholliks should take ’em. For they ca’ant take ’em, as I’ve heerd, till they be done, so them as manages do contrive to keep ’em out!’ This extraordinary historical statement was received with a slight snort but with no incredulity, and the conversation fell once more into silence. The dark woman, however, was not to be daunted, and after a while burst into speech again. ‘I’m a-goin’ a good way,’ she said, ‘nigh to the sea, to a child o’ mine as has been ill; I don’t think they’ve done to her all they should ’a done, an’ I’m going to see to it or know the reason why!’ She did not make this remark to the passenger facing her, but threw it out for the benefit of all who heard, and it seemed to attract the attention of the young woman opposite, who was seated in the farther corner of the carriage. She raised her head, as if she had been herself addressed, and her words came as if against her will. ‘I’ve a child at home as is badly,’ she said, and then she sighed. Her words and manner were both very quiet, but there was something in them so simple and pathetic that they arrested the observation of the others, and for the moment all eyes were turned on her. The stranger honoured her with a bold and steady stare; the wife of the shopkeeper turned towards her with compassion; whilst even the foundry lad, to whom she seemed familiar, let his glance rest curiously upon her for a while. Indeed, it must be confessed with regard to her appearance, that these various eyes might have been worse employed.