"It's very odd," said Hatton to his companion Morley, "you
can't get coffee anywhere."
Morley who had supposed that coffee was about the commonest
article of consumption in Mowbray, looked a little surprised;
but at this moment Hatton's servant entered with a mysterious
yet somewhat triumphant air, and ushering in a travelling
biggin of their own fuming like one of the springs of Geyser.
"Now try that," said Hatton to Morley, as the servant poured
him out a cup; "you won't find that so bad."
"Does the town continue pretty quiet?" enquired Morley of the
servant as he was leaving the room.
"Quite quiet I believe, Sir; but a great many people in the
streets. All the mills are stopped."
"Well, this is a strange business," said Hatton when they were
once more alone. "You had no idea of it when I met you on
Saturday?"
"None; on the contrary, I felt convinced that there were no
elements of general disturbance in this district. I thought
from the first that the movement would be confined to
Lancashire and would easily be arrested; but the feebleness of
the government, the want of decision, perhaps the want of
means, have permitted a flame to spread the extinction of
which will not soon be witnessed.
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