‘I have heard some account of it. But don’t you know who the young man was who did it?’ Mr. Sutcliffe smiled a little as he said, ‘In my own mind, I believe I could lay my finger upon the man; but as I thoroughly respect him for what he did, and should be sorry to get him into trouble, I shall keep quiet about it.’ Sebastian looked inquiringly at him. ‘I believe the man was one of your own work-people--Heywood, a fellow I have known from the time when he first came as a half-timer.’ ‘I have seen the man. You think it was he. Why?’ ‘Partly because I was passing the club-door at the very time of the row, and saw him come out of it, looking rather dangerous, with a couple of straps in his hand; and, secondly, because when it has been discussed, which you will easily believe has been pretty actively, he has looked embarrassed, and kept perfect silence upon the subject.’ Sebastian nodded. ‘Miss Spenceley is a great friend of Mrs. Mallory,’ went on the manager. ‘But that’s neither here nor there; only they are about the biggest people, in a money point of view, in the place. There are several other families something like them. Then there’s Canon Ponsonby, the radical parson, our vicar, a very fine old gentleman; you will like him. He is respected by all who are themselves worthy of respect, be they Churchmen or dissenters.’ ‘Naturally the feeling here is radical?’ ‘Tremendous; and North, almost to a man. Lots of these working-men know what’s coming; and it _is_ coming upon them too, like the very devil. They’ll tell you they know the cotton must run out soon, or run up to such a price that we can hardly get it. But if they have to do without it, or with Surats----’ ‘What on earth is “Surats”?’ ‘Indian cotton; abominable stuff to work. Haven’t you--but of course you haven’t--heard of the weaver who put up the prayer, “O Lord! send us cotton; _but not Surats_!” But if they have to work Surats, they’ll stick to it that North is right, and South wrong; and they’ll clem rather than have anything to say to Jeff Davis.’ ‘How soon do you think distress will begin?’ ‘I think we shall have to shut up shop by Christmas. It’s of no use talking much about it beforehand. All I can say is, there’s a time coming which will prove Lancashire once for all, her rich and her poor alike; and show them up to the world in a light as fierce as that of the midday sun. We shall get to see the stuff we’re made of. And there’s half-past five; I must go.’ ‘Won’t you stay and dine with us?’ ‘I have another engagement, thank you. To-morrow, at the same time, Mr. Mallory, we will resume the discussion, if you feel so inclined.’ ‘Certainly. I shall expect you. Good evening.’ He was left, leaning against the mantelpiece, to reflect upon what had passed. A tap at the door was followed by the entrance of his mother. ‘Have you finished at last, Sebastian? I have had no opportunity to tell you that I am expecting a friend to dine with us to-night.’