Jack of Hearts by Marjorie Farrell Page A

we?” he added, with an attempt at humor.
    “No indeed, Mr. Brill.” Anne had barely finished speaking when the foreman gave another hand signal and the noise began again. As she walked down the aisle, looking right and left and smiling her approval, she received a few curtsies and tugging of hair, but most were intent on their machines.
    As they started down the stairs, Joseph said, “I didn’t think tha was going to mention anything negative.”
    “It just seemed the right thing to say, Joseph.”
    “And I think it were, Miss Heriot,” said Brill. “Seemed tha were concerned-like. That and t’bonus should take care of any trouble brewing.”
    “Thank you, Mr. Brill. And now I would like to see the shed where the accident took place.”
    Both men began to protest, but Anne held up her hand. “I want to satisfy myself that we are taking sufficient safety precautions, Joseph.”
    There was only the one large machine where the children worked, so the noise was less. Although Anne knew that children as young as six came to work with their parents, she wasn’t prepared for the sight of such small bodies busily picking at the wool and pushing it into the carding machine.
    “I am surprised there aren’t more accidents,” she said, as she watched the small fingers coming so close to the rollers.
    “They are well trained, Miss Heriot. See how all of them have short sleeves or their sleeves pinned up? The girl who was hurt had let her sleeves down and one caught in the rollers.”
    “That is enough detail, Peter,” Joseph said sharply. “The child was careless, Anne,” he added coldly. “We haven’t had an accident here in years.”
    “You are sure the machinery is in good repair?”
    “Absolutely.”
    Anne sighed. She supposed the men were right. A moment of carelessness in any occupation could lead to injury. Her young kitchen maids, for instance, had to be reminded constantly about the danger of burns.
    * * * *
    As they walked back to the carriage, Anne asked Joseph where Ned Gibson worked.
    “He was in the main loft, Anne.”
    “So he heard everything I said?”
    “Yes.”
    “Well, then, let us hope he feels satisfied now.”
    When they reached the carriage, Patrick was not in sight.
    “Where is your groom?” Joseph asked, annoyed.
    Anne looked around and then spied Patrick reading a poster next to the entrance. Her curiosity aroused, she walked over to see what interested him.
    “What are you reading, Patrick?”
    “Sorry, Miss Heriot. I didn’t see ye come out.” Patrick’s voice did not hold his usual friendliness, and as he walked back to the carriage, Anne examined the poster. It seemed to be a list of rules for the workers.
     
    ALL WORK WILL BE DONE IN SILENCE.
    ANY INSUBORDINATION TO AN OVERSEER WILL BE PUNISHED BY IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL.
    ANYONE WITH LIQUOR WILL BE FINED 2 SHILLINGS.
    ANYONE SINGING OR WHISTLING AT HIS WORK WILL BE TURNED OFF.
     
    “What is this, Joseph?” Anne asked, motioning her cousin over.
    “That was posted by tha father years ago. Obviously we can’t have spirits on the premises, given the machinery we use. Or men wandering around t’mill, leaving their work behind.”
    “But to be turned off for whistling? Or singing?”
    “Think about it, cousin. Anyone with time or inclination to whistle cannot be serious about her work—is, in fact, a careless person and probably very liable to accident.”
    “I suppose you are right,” Anne said hesitantly.
    “These rules are no different than any other factory owner’s, Anne. In fact, tha father was careful to keep fines lower than most. And of course, t’best way to judge is by t’results.”
    “Of course.”
    “Well, your visit has proved very successful,” Joseph continued heartily. “The news of bonus will spread very quickly, I’m sure.”
    * * * *
    They dropped Joseph off in the village, and Anne dozed most of the way home.
    Sarah had ordered a light supper for them, knowing Anne’s appetite was