[Comprehensive Classics] Detective Mary

Mary conjured up the big handful of cotton wool.

Margaret showed a surprised look: "Mary, what are you doing picking up cotton wool?"

The batting was broken and messy, and it looked like Mary had collected it from the factory floor.Margaret watched in amazement as Mary carefully took out all the cotton wadding as if she were treating a treasure, and then squeezed it vigorously. A large handful of fluffy and broken waste wadding was rolled into a thumb-sized ball by her.

"Doctor Watson," said Mary politely, "can you light it?"

Dr. Watson was also curious. He glanced at Mary, and then gave advice: "Cotton burns very fast, Miss Mary."

Mary raised a smile: "I know, come on."

If not, what would she do lighting them up?

Hearing Mary's words, any other gentleman would definitely reprimand Mary, saying that she was so bold that she dared to do such a dangerous thing—or on the street, do you want to regulate etiquette?

But standing in front of her was John Watson, Watson who could accompany Sherlock Holmes on the streets and alleys to solve crimes without a single complaint.

He heard Mary reiterate her request, said no more, and took out the matches.

Mary sent the cotton ball in her hand to Dr. Watson, he lit a match, and gently moved towards the cotton ball——

The thumb-sized ball burned crazily almost the moment it came into contact with the flame.Mary reacted so quickly that she had anticipated this situation and threw the cotton ball on the ground when Watson set it on fire.

From burning to ending, it didn't even take a second.In the blink of an eye, what fell in the air was nothing but black smoke and dust, not even ashes left.

"My God!"

Margaret exclaimed, she hurriedly grabbed Mary's palm, and checked it carefully: "Are you not burned?"

"No," Mary said with a smile, "are you scared? Does it burn quickly?"

"It's too dangerous, how can you be so foolish!"

"Now I understand why Mr. Thornton is so angry about someone smoking in the factory."

Margaret was taken aback.

I knew it would be this reaction.

Cotton burns fast, which is a truth that everyone knows.However, Margaret's identity meant that she would not be exposed to much pure cotton fabrics on a daily basis, and the dress fabrics of noble ladies were more expensive - just like Miss Bingley's joke at the time, "Who would wear cotton fabrics?" "?

It is rare to wear cotton cloth, let alone come into contact with an open flame in person.

So Mary felt that Margaret couldn't understand Mr. Thornton's anger, more because she didn't realize how fast cotton burns.

It's as simple as Mary can come and show her.

Her question made Margaret blink her eyes, and the latter unconsciously let go of Mary's palm, and after Mary withdrew her hand, she deliberately blew on her unscathed palm, seeing Margaret's eyes flicker Unsure, he continued: "If the factory is working, the indoor floor and the air are full of these invisible cotton wadding. The workers also make cotton cloth made of cotton. Their bodies, hands, etc. Up, even in the nasal cavity is full of cotton."

Having said that, Margaret actually understood what Mary meant.

"Once the sparks from the cigarette ignite the cotton in the air," Mary's smile faded before she knew it, "can you imagine what disaster it would bring, Margaret? It's like the cotton ball just now Similarly, the entire factory will burn out in the blink of an eye, and no one will be able to escape."

"I……"

Margaret was speechless at the thought of the horrors that might ensue.

In fact, Mary also felt that it was wrong for Mr. Thornton to hit someone.

Although if there is an accident, it will not be as simple as Mary described.

After all, cotton residue dust particles are very fine and extremely flammable.In the case of high-speed combustion, the oxygen in the room is insufficient, and an explosion is bound to occur.

So it's no wonder that Thornton would throw a tantrum when he found workers smoking in the factory. Such behavior is tantamount to playing with open flames in the firecracker warehouse.

But Mary felt that violating the regulations would have the consequences of violating the regulations. She fired him and told other factory owners about his behavior, so that he would have no job to do. For a worker with a family, this is undoubtedly the end of life. punishment.

On this basis, Mary felt that there was no need to hit someone.

"It's very inappropriate for Mr. Thornton to beat people with his hands," Mary said slowly, "but I have seen him in the slums of London, and Mr. Thornton treats Irish workers equally. I believe he is definitely not a bottomless person. , Those who wantonly trample on the dignity of others."

Margaret lowered her eyes.

She looked a little guilty, but more deeply thinking.Seeing Margaret's silence, Dr. Watson, who was watching from the sidelines, laughed and said, "It turns out that Miss Margaret and Mr. Thornton still have such an episode. It seems that I should have come to Milton earlier!"

"You actually teased me," Margaret laughed sheepishly, "Thank you for your reminder, Mary, I understand what you mean."

Seeing a somewhat grateful expression on her gentle face, Mary also felt relieved.

Compared with Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, the contradiction between the "Pride and Prejudice" pairing of Margaret and Mr. Thornton is much more toned down.

In terms of assets and appearance alone, the two can be said to be a talented couple, a natural couple.The downside is that Mr. Thornton has an overly strict mother and a startled sister - but in fact, Mary feels that Mr. and Mrs. Hale are not much better.

The family backgrounds of the young men and women have their own flaws and advantages, and their own personalities also have distinct advantages and disadvantages. It can be said to be extremely down-to-earth and in line with the characteristics of the times.But Margaret is kind by nature and has a bottom line, while Mr. Thornton is extremely defensive and upright and firm. Their married life will be very happy.

Margaret can easily understand Mr. Thornton's concerns. Now it is enough to let Mr. Thornton understand Margaret's way of life.

Hi, that's great.

Mary's matchmaker suffered from an occupational disease. When she saw the shy and lovely Margaret and thought about the solemn and tall Mr. Thornton, her heart was full of joy. She wished she could push them into the church and see the two have many babies.

"Miss Mary is really amazing."

Dr. Watson couldn't help sighing: "You are a single lady, but you can understand the situation in the factory so well. Before, I thought Mr. Thornton and Mr. Hamp were flattering you, but now it seems that I am convinced."

Mary: "..."

What kind of joker are you!Mary didn't know whether to laugh or cry, she looked up at Dr. Watson, but the latter's handsome face still had a look of admiration, as if lighting cotton was something extraordinary.

Well, she understood now how Watson praised the detective to his heart's content.

Moreover, Watson's mouth is so sweet, I am afraid that he often provokes the admiration of single ladies.

"Don't flatter me," but Mary didn't like this, she said with a smile, "It's not too late to compliment me when I really get some useful clues. It's better to see a doctor for Margaret's friend now."

Mentioning the patient, Dr. Watson nodded solemnly: "Please."

Because of the injury, his leg is not very convenient.Compared with Mr. Holmes's cane, which is only used as a decoration and a defensive weapon when necessary, Dr. Watson really needs crutches to support walking.

Margaret deliberately slowed down the speed so that Watson could move forward steadily at a comfortable speed.

"My friend Bessie has a bad cough recently," Margaret said while walking, explaining her illness to Watson. "Her lungs don't seem to be very good, but she has been refusing to be treated, saying that it is an old problem and rest for a few days. That's fine. But after so long, I see that she hasn't improved at all. "

Watson frowned: "You shouldn't avoid medical treatment, lung disease has always been difficult to get better."

If it's an old problem...

Mary had a vague premonition.

Under the leadership of Margaret, they left the urban area, passed through the rich residential area, walked through the church on the hillside, and came to the place where the workers gathered.

If London slums can be dirty, dark, and difficult to fit in, Milton's situation is better.

The same gray, the same monotonous color, but Milton is not a big city, in industrial towns, there are not only workers but also factory owners, and the urban planning is not so clear, so the arrival of the two ladies and a gentleman is not a surprise. attract too many eyes.

Besides, many people here know Margaret, and when they meet her gaze, many young workers even stop and nod their hat brims as a gesture of goodwill.

"The Higgins family lives here," Margaret said. "Nicholas is a nice person, and my friend Bessie is his daughter. Although I don't quite understand why he insists on striking so much, but—"

"—I have six children, Higgins!"

Margaret was interrupted by a sudden growl.

She was taken aback, covered her mouth, and looked at Higgins' mansion in surprise.

"Someone is arguing?" Mary frowned.

"Oops, this voice is Butcher!"

After realizing that it was not good, Margaret immediately picked up her skirt and pushed the door in. What she saw was Nicholas Higgins holding Butcher's collar and the two pushing and shoving.

"I've got six kids to feed, not like you! How can five shillings from the union feed eight mouths?" cried Butcher in despair.

"Shut up!"

Higgins was obviously very impatient: "I haven't settled with you yet, you actually smoked in the factory in Thornton, do you want my daughter to be buried with you?!"

"..."

Mary raised her eyebrows. It turned out that Butcher, who had six children to support, was the worker beaten by Mr. Thornton.

"I didn't mean to," pleaded Butcher, "I have to feed my children, and fifteen shillings a week isn't enough? Fifteen shillings a week for my labour, gentlemen, I think it's a good deal, why not Allow me to sell my labor!"

"Who said it was your labor that the master bought?" Mary interjected calmly.

Both Higgins and Butcher were taken aback by the sudden female voice.

Higgins looked up and showed a clear expression after seeing Margaret: "Miss Margaret."

Kong Wu's powerful worker let go of Butcher, and he looked warily at the two strangers.After examining it, Higgins' eyes finally fell on Mary.

"It was you who said," said Higgins, "that it's not our labor that gentlemen pay for, is it?"

"Yes."

"And what do you think they paid for, miss?"

"It's labor."

Higgins narrowed his eyes.

Compared to the blank expressions of the people around him, Nicholas Higgins, a simply dressed worker, was as sharp and vigilant as a falcon and wolfhound defending his territory.

Mary let him look at her generously. She knew that others didn't understand what she was talking about, but Higgins must understand.

"Then," said Higgins, "I'll trouble you to explain to Butcher what it means to buy labour, miss."

Mary hooked the corner of her mouth: "It's an honor."

She turned to look at Butcher, who was in a state of embarrassment. Compared with the sturdy Higgins, the worker who had given birth to six children was really thin and emaciated.He was fired by Thornton before the strike, and it was a difficult time.

When she heard about the behavior of smoking in the factory, Mary still felt that this person was hateful, but now it seems that she feels a little pitiful.

"Actually, Mr. Butcher," said Mary politely, "the factory lords are buying your labor power—labor you are the process of working, and labor power is your ability to work. The factory lords are buying you. ability."

Butcher looked confused at Mary's sudden interruption.

"So what?" he asked.

"Not so much," Mary went on to explain, "it's just that the factory owner buys your ability to work for a week for fifteen shillings a week. Logically speaking, the fifteen shillings should be the value of your week's labor, which is the value of your output. The value of the cloth you produce, do you produce only fifteen shillings a week, sir?"

Speaking of this, I am afraid that even the child laborers in the factory can figure it out.

Even the most stupid person will become extremely shrewd when it comes to life and death matters related to food and drink: "Of course I produce more than fifteen shillings of cloth in a week!"

"That's why I said, the factory lords bought your labor, not your labor," Mary smiled, "The excess cotton produced by the excess labor was sold by them and exchanged for their own profits. You On the surface, your salary is a fair sale, but in fact the value created by your surplus labor is exclusively occupied by them, which conceals the essence of your being exploited."

Margaret was already stunned to hear it.

Since ancient times, it has been a matter of course for workers to work and factory owners to give money. How come it has become a heinous fact after hearing what Mary said?

"Then what should we do?" Margaret couldn't help asking.

What else can I do?Unless capitalism dies completely, the essence of exploitation and squeezing will never disappear.The fact that it cannot be changed in the 21st century, now, even if Mary has a golden finger, it is impossible to modify the production relationship of material materials.

She sighed faintly.

"The best way at present," Mary said while looking at Higgins, "is to follow the instructions of the trade union and use peaceful means to protest the unfair treatment she has received."

"But my boy—"

"You can talk about it later." Higgins interrupted Butcher unceremoniously.

He took a step, and the burly worker walked up to Mary.His solemn expression made Watson stand in front of Mary almost immediately.

"Never mind," said Mary, shaking her head. "Mr. Higgins has no reason to hurt me, has he, sir?"

"I'm not going to hurt anyone."

Higgins stared at Mary suspiciously.

"I heard," he said after a long time, "In order to prevent the strike, Thornton made a lot of tricks in private. He even invited someone from other places. You are the one who invited, miss?"

"That's it."

In fact, there are still a large number of Irish people who are ready to replace the striking workers, but it is better not to say this now, especially in front of the striking workers who are not determined.If it gets out, there will be riots.

So Mary just put away her trademark polite smile.

"It's just," she said, "that I'm not here to stop the strike. On the contrary, I'm here to investigate the facts. There's a reason for this increase in the price of raw cotton, and I need your help, Mr. Higgins, and this gentleman is Ma Gretel invited Dr. Watson to see Bessie, why don't you let go of your prejudices and let's have a good talk?"