Finally I said, 'I see that you are troubled about
something, mother,' and she answered sharply, 'Yes, I'm troubled and
plenty of reason for trouble.' I asked if I could help in any way."
John sat upright at this question and said, "What reply did mother
make?"
"She said, 'Not you! The trouble is past all help now. I might have
prevented it a few days ago, but I did not know the miserable lass was
again on the road of sin and danger. Nobody knew. Nobody stopped her.
And, O merciful God, in three days danger turned out to be death! I have
just come back from her funeral.' 'Whose funeral?' I asked. 'Susanna
Dobson's funeral,' mother said. 'Did you never hear John speak of her?'
I told her you never spoke to me of your hands; I knew nothing about
them. 'Well then,' mother continued, 'I'll tell you something about
Susanna. Happen it may do you good. She came here with her husband and
baby all of three years ago, and they have worked in Hatton factory ever
since. She was very clever and got big wages.
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