[Comprehensive Classics] Detective Mary

It was easy to convince Mr. Thornton.

He is solemn by nature, but he is not unreasonable.Mary mentioned that her idea was to make the workers suspend the strike, and Mr. Thornton said nothing more: "Please come over Higgins."

Now?On strike Call a worker over?

Mary thought about it. Mr. Thornton thought he was upright, so naturally he was not afraid of criticism from others.But at this juncture, it is better to have less incidents.Based on the low-key principle, neither Higgins' visit to the Marlborough factory nor Mr. Thornton's factory owner running to Higgins' home were not suitable choices.

"Why don't we meet at Mr. Hale's," Mary suggested. "Margaret and Mr. Higgins' daughter Bessie are on good terms, and you are Mr. Hale's student, aren't you?"

Thornton naturally understood Mary's thoughts, and he took a deep look at her: "You'd better come up with a plan that satisfies both parties, Miss Mary, Higgins is not easy to talk to."

Mary laughed: "So you are, sir?"

Of course he wasn't.

But Mary is confident that she can convince both parties. The reason is very simple-there is only one way to adjust the conflict of interests between the two parties, and that is to help Mary get the clues of Hamp, so as to assist Sherlock Holmes in France to find a way to break the illegal monopoly.

In this way, the cotton raw material falls to the normal price range, and the wages of the workers can naturally return to normal.

For this purpose, when the factory owners and union representatives met at Mr. Hale's house the next day, the atmosphere was actually quite harmonious.

Margaret asked the maid to pour a cup of tea for the two gentlemen before sitting down beside Mary.She gave Mary a worried look, but the latter smiled at her generously.

"My idea is very simple," Mary said, "If there is anything unreasonable, please feel free to point it out. After all, I have never participated in production work, and I can only conceive the plan according to my own understanding."

"Please, Miss Mary." Thornton said coldly.

"The union suddenly stopped the strike, which is bound to arouse suspicion from others," Mary said, "and everyone needs a good reason to convince. So I was thinking, maybe Mr. Thornton can improve the working conditions of the workers as a concession. "

"Which aspects are you referring to?"

"Strictly control the work regulations and find ways to reduce dust in the factory."

As Mary spoke, she took out the plan she had copied.She hadn't made a proposal for a long time, and she didn't know if this description would satisfy Mr. Thornton and Higgins.

Neither of them expected Mary to be so formal, especially Mr. Thornton.Seeing Mary writing a neat plan, I couldn't help raising my eyebrows.

The content of the planning book is not too complicated. First of all, it is absolutely forbidden to have open flames in the factory.Mary's thinking is very straightforward: this matter is completely handed over to the supervisor, which will add too much workload to the supervisor.The best way is to fine the offenders. If you find someone secretly smoking or bringing the fire source into the factory in other ways, you can report it at any time, and the reporter will be rewarded.

The second is the plan to reduce dust that Mary considered before.

He read it quickly, quickly scanned through the content above, and then closed the paper: "Reducing dust is not as easy as you think, miss."

Mary knows.

It is impossible to promote the strictly controlled factory production conditions in the 21st century in the Victorian era.Factory owners are not philanthropists, and they don't have much budget for charity.

Besides, even if there were benevolent capitalists, they wouldn't be able to spend so much money.In this era, even the most common dust mask is a luxury that cannot be mass-produced, let alone other conditions.

"It's better to take some measures than nothing," Mary said. "I can't think of a way to completely prevent dust from invading the human body, but at least it can reduce the chance."

Mr. Thornton tilted his head.

He fell into deep thought, and the atmosphere in the room cooled down for a moment.

After a long time, he spoke again: "In fact, I have been considering upgrading the machine. The new generation of machines can reduce the production of cotton slag, which not only saves raw materials, but also greatly reduces the dust content in the factory."

Mary's eyes lit up: "Isn't that great?"

Mr. Thornton gave Higgins a cold look: "But before the plan was implemented, the workers went on strike."

From this point of view, as long as Mr. Thornton throws out the conditions, there will be one more reason to resume production.This gave Mary great confidence: "I believe the union will accept this condition. As long as your factory resumes production, other factory owners will have to accept the same conditions to improve the factory environment in order to resume production. It's good for their health."

Thornton frowned slightly, as if he thought things were not that easy.

But he is obviously not a person who talks about any complaints. The taciturn factory owner looked at Mary's proposal again.

"This is a long-term idea," Thornton said honestly, "I can't come up with enough working capital to replace the machines and fans in a short time. Even if it is implemented, it must be done step by step, but Miss Mary, the increase in the factory you proposed Measures such as equipping workers with gloves and masks, etc., can be considered and implemented.”

However, Thornton, who said these words, still looked solemn and alert.

So Mary doesn't think he's identifying with her: "But?"

Mr Thornton: "Just because I can do it doesn't mean the workers will accept it."

Margaret was a little confused: "Do you think the workers will not accept such conditions? Why, I think it is very reasonable."

Higgins sneered when he heard the words, not sure if he was mocking Thornton or the workers: "With all due respect, ladies, your ideas are certainly good, but for the workers, they may not understand your thoughts."

Margaret: "Why, is there anyone who doesn't like to be clean?"

Higgins looked at the two well-dressed single ladies: "It's okay in winter, but in summer, you have to be fully armed and stay indoors all day. Do you think you can bear it, Miss Margaret?"

Margaret: "..."

Higgins didn't wait for her to speak, and continued: "In the long run, Miss Mary is naturally thinking about them. But for the workers, it undoubtedly adds a lot of trouble to their work. They don't feel that cotton residue dust The harm is so great that more people even think that eating cotton wool in their mouths can still fill their stomachs."

Mary: "I thought of that."

Workers in the [-]th century did not receive basic education, let alone understand scientific principles and common sense of health.They can't accept new things for a while - even if it's for their own good, who can experience it in an incomprehensible situation.

Knowledge limits people's horizons, workers do not have the conditions to acquire enough knowledge, and it is difficult for them to have enough food and clothing, so all they can focus on is the next meal and living through tomorrow.

After all, not all workers are as clear and visionary as Mary Morstan, an Irish girl living in the slums of London.

"I don't see this as a stumbling block to Mr. Thornton's efforts to improve workers' conditions," Mary said. "On the contrary, I think it's a second option that Mr. Thornton can offer workers."

"What?" Thornton was a little surprised.

"That's simple education."

Mary said naturally.

"You see, Margaret's father, Mr. Hale, holds workers' classes every week," she had thought about it a long time ago, "but how many workers are interested in Shakespeare and Milton? They are more interested in How to live healthy and healthy."

Therefore, Mr. Hale’s class for workers is basically empty. More workers just feel that the room is warmer and find a place to sleep. They are not used to attend lectures at all.

Even after the unions started planning strikes, the classroom became a gathering place for workers, and Mr. Hale, the "teacher", existed in name only.

"Instead of neglecting it, it is better to teach some more practical hygiene and health knowledge."

Mary continued to speak more and more vigorously: "Tell them why the factory is equipped with fans, and why it is necessary to take extra measures to protect against cotton slag dust. Occupational diseases are so prevalent among workers, and they will understand when they speak with facts."

Thornton: "Mr. Hale may not understand this."

Margaret reacted quickly: "Doctor Watson understands!"

At last she understood what Mary was up to.

"Although Dr. Watson came to Milton not long ago," Margaret said, "he is kind-hearted and warm-hearted, and he always looks like he has nothing to do and wants to enrich himself. I will ask him Come and give lectures to the workers, he will definitely be willing!"

"Instead of lecturing, let him write a textbook," Mary suggested. "Dr. Watson is young, and I don't think he will stay in Milton for a long time."

What a joke, short lectures are fine, but if it takes a long time, what if he thinks the job is good and refuses to leave?Mary did not give up her plan to get Watson to London as soon as possible.

Miss Mary Morstan is still in London if Mr. Holmes is away!

Moreover, John Watson's good writing has been stamped with the approval of Sherlock Holmes himself. He is also a field doctor and understands the importance of a hygienic medical environment for health.

It is very appropriate to entrust this task to Watson.

"besides."

Mary thought for a while: "I can also compile some nursery rhymes or tongue twisters, and then my two younger sisters and I, plus Margaret, can teach the children. The factory suddenly added a lot of rules and regulations, and the workers couldn't do it for a while. Accept it, except that they don’t understand the meaning, and the other thing is that the customs are different from the usual. But the customs can be changed subtly, especially to guide children and let them come into contact with these principles earlier.”

Moreover, Mary knew that these ideas sounded very logical, but in practice there must be many, many unexpected troubles.Change has never been easy since ancient times, let alone in this age when productivity is not well developed.

"Finally," Mary added again, "my sister Lydia, who is so good at sewing, offered to design the masks... What do you think?"

Until then, Higgins slowly finished reading Mary's planning book.

He raised his head with a solemn expression: "Although there are still many whimsical places, some methods are indeed feasible. If you don't mind, I think it can be implemented after revision and discussion."

"Of course I don't mind!"

Mary breathed a sigh of relief, she was waiting for this sentence.

"In particular, you mentioned the design of the mask," Mr. Thornton added. "The idea is very good, but the filter layer that can filter the dust is indeed a problem. I will pay more attention to it."

That's good!

So is her original intention.

Mary is not a worker who really puts into production work, nor is she a capitalist who runs around in charge of controlling the factory all the year round.She does not show her face on the front line, and what she can provide to the union and Mr. Thornton is nothing more than the experience and ideas brought back from the future.

As for how to do it, it still has to be studied by experienced people.

"This must be carried out by the trade union and Mr. Thornton," Mary said sincerely. "Even if the classes are different, we can always find a way to seek common interests from the differences. I want to improve the factory environment. For factory owners, It's all good for workers."

"I won't deny that."

Mr Thornton was exceptionally honest: "I'm paying the price right now, but in the long run it's a good thing that the factory can only run smoothly if the workers are healthy."

Only an enlightened and honest factory owner like yourself would think so.Mary could not help but be thankful that Milton was not a big city like London.At least in Milton where the workers are on strike, the only solution Mr. Thornton can come up with is to hire cheap labor from Ireland - and anyway, it takes a lot of money to transport the workers, let alone arrange accommodation .

In this way, Mary has the confidence to bargain with the factory owner.If it were London, if a factory leaves a group of workers, there will always be more labor force to fill in, and who will listen to her.

"Then, I'm looking forward to the cooperation between the union and Mr. Thornton." Mary said lightly.

"This is really good!"

Margaret also showed a surprised smile: "I said a long time ago, as long as you talk to Mr. Thornton, he will understand."

Thornton raised his eyebrows and looked at Margaret in surprise: "My honor, Miss Margaret."

Margaret blushed.

"As for the workers' classroom," her voice lowered, "I will explain it to my father, he must be very happy. Nicholas, do you think the trade union will be satisfied with this result?"

"I can't influence the union's considerations."

Higgins stood up: "But I think the chances are very high, thank you very much for your consideration. Especially Miss Mary, your planning book gave me an unexpected surprise."

Nicholas Higgins, who said these words, finally hid the vigilance that he was unwilling to let go.

"You convinced me," the strong worker hooked his mouth, and he pressed the brim of his hat, "Thank you, miss."

Mary smiled brightly.

She also stood up and extended her right hand towards Higgins.

In northern England, handshakes, even between men and women, are slightly more common.But even so, this is still the first time Mary has offered her right hand since she came to the Victorian era.

"Thank you also for recognizing me, sir," she said sincerely.