The BBC’s Hannah Thornton, writing those dinner invitations
2 miles — the route from the Hales’ house to Marlborough Mills
5% — the raise the workers demand
5 shillings — the weekly amount the union pays each worker during the strike
5 hours — how long Higgins waits to speak to Thornton about getting work
6 — how many children Boucher has, all under 8 years old
7 to 8 years — how long it’s been since Margaret has seen Fred
8 years — how much older Mr. Hale is than his wife
9 to 10 shillings — what Higgins might earn for a week’s worth of spading in the South
10 hours — the work day for the mill hands
10 years — the time Margaret spent living with Aunt Shaw and Edith before Edith married
14 months — how much younger Dolores (Fred’s wife) is compared to Margaret
15 shillings — Thornton’s first weekly wage as a draper’s assistant
16 years — how long ago George Thornton committed suicide
18 years — Margaret’s age in the opening chapter
19 years — Bessy’s age when she dies
£30 a year — the rent the Hales could afford in Milton
44 — Nicholas Higgins’ age
55 — Mr. Hale’s age
60 — Mr. Bell says he’s “upwards of 60”
96 — the street address of the Harley Street house
£170 — the Hales’ yearly income, 70£ of which went to Fred
220 square yards — one of the rooms at the Marlborough Mills factory
£250 a year — what Margaret pays Aunt Shaw for her keep in London as an heiress
700 men — the number of workers Higgins says will come to work as soon as they get their raise
£18,057 — the amount Margaret offers to Thornton
£42,000 — Margaret’s inheritance from Mr. Bell (£40,000 of it in property value)
And what would Margaret’s offer to Thornton be worth today in dollars?
…. roughly $1,800,000. Nearly a cool 2 million!