Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2011 14:31:14 +0000
From: Jo Vincent <joad130@hotmail.com>
Subject: Tom Browning's Schooldays Ch 15

			 Tom Browning's Schooldays

				    By

				   Joel

			      Chapter Fifteen


I nodded.  I remembered the name from what George had said about his uncle.
"My friend George says he's caused a lot of trouble.  He's the one who took
Timmy away and had the horse as well.  I think he cheated people over
worthless shares.  But there is good news.  I've had a letter from Lord
Harford...," I did a little bow.  "...He says the horse was his but it's
Timmy's now.  My father's got a document from him which he's getting Mr
Grindcobbe to look at."

     There was a bit of rushing about in the corridor and Benjy came to the
breakfast room and bowed.  "Mr Grindcobbe is ready to go and if Master
Robin and Master Philip wish to be taken home their carriage will be at the
door shortly. The serving boys are bringing their bags," he announced.  His
acting the hoity-toity didn't last.  He just grinned.  "And I'll have my
hand out for a little something for being polite."

     There was no time for a proper recompense of a thump or a pinch but
kind Philip took out a small packet from a capacious pocket in his jacket.
"You were polite, not like usual," he said, "Special London toffee for you.
My new friend John Harrison says they boil up..."

     "Philip!" said Robin who could see down the corridor, "Keep quiet."

     My father was leading the lawyers and smiling broadly.  "Where are the
ruffians?" he said as he reached the door of the breakfast room, "I hear
you've been banned from ever entering the capital again."

     Robin laughed.  "No, grandfather, only him." He pointed to his
brother.  "He was the one who shouted in the Whispering Gallery and then
asked the attendant outside the Bank of England if he came back on Monday
could he borrow five pounds."

     "Wasn't my fault, it was that John Harrison who said the louder you
whispered the longer it would keep going round the dome.  It cost him
sixpence when I asked that man about the money.  He dared me!"

     Mr Grindcobbe laughed.  "My nephews said they really enjoyed the
visit.  I think they might be visiting here to check on some of the stories
they were told."  He looked at me.  "Your father said they would be very
welcome!"

     As they left the boys said they would see if they could escape all the
tasks awaiting them in the morning and come back to tell me all about their
adventures.

     Father couldn't stop talking over dinner that evening about his good
fortune in finding there was even more land adjoining Cobblers Farm, which
was now his.

     "Too bad if a claimant turns up," I commented and was rewarded with a
stern glance from my mother.

     "Then he'll have to hurry.  Four days have gone of his year and a
day," father said, "And that's good pasture land and no one's been near it
for years.  I'll keep it as it is and plan something when the time is ripe.
No tittle-tattling, eh?"

     I had been warned!  I would have to look at the maps attached to all
the deeds to see if I could work out who might be interested.

     That night with no Robin and a very tired Benjy, who fell asleep as
soon as his head touched the pillow, I was left with no alternative but to
pleasure myself.  Still, it was a near- perfect way to end any day.

     I was asleep when Benjy woke and went off to his early morning duties.
Hot water was ready at seven and he said there had been more snow during
the night so getting everything to the Assembly Room at the Varley Arms was
going to be difficult but my father was already up and riding to the
stables to arrange carts and drivers to go round the village to collect
things.

     "Best thing is for you to keep out of the way," he said as he poured
the water into my basin.  "Tempers are not good down there. I've just had a
bite to eat in the Servants' Hall and Mrs Clements has made Mary Ann cry
because she said she looked slovenly.  No wonder.  Patty said she was out
until nearly midnight last night with that younger Flaxman and Jackson will
be mad when he finds out."

     More gossip!  I said I knew that Rowley and Isaac fancied her, too.
Benjy laughed.  "Be interesting tonight.  Like flies round a honey-pot.
There's dancing after the dinner so we'll see who ends up with a black eye!
I wonder if Jesse Flaxman's points the other way to his brother's.  Haven't
seen it as he's been at his uncle's inn for years."

     I didn't know the lad very well.  He must be about eighteen or
nineteen now and only came home infrequently as he was being groomed to
take over his uncle's business as he had no sons.

     "Perhaps you should ask Mary Ann," I said, "Ask if it points
Nor-Nor-East or Nor- Nor-West."  I sketched in the air the two directions.

     He grinned.  "Better not.  She has a quick temper and I don't want my
ears boxed again or to get a black eye myself.  We'll keep our eyes open
tonight and see who wins!"

     I was sitting eating my breakfast when Robin came in looking refreshed
but panting a bit.  "I ran," he explained puffing his cheeks out.  "Mum
said I would be more use here than getting in her way.  Philip says he'll
come later as he doesn't want you to believe all the lies I'll tell you."
He laughed.  "He and that John Harrison got on so well.  They're both
little scamps.  Actually we all did."

     I pointed at the breakfast dishes.  "You'd better join me as no doubt
you're hungry after that run."

     He nodded and filled a plate with most of the bacon and scrambled egg
that was left.  Another growing boy!

     I asked him to tell me all that had happened from leaving here on
Thursday evening.  That is, tell me between mouthfuls!

     I heard they were in good time for the coach at Stretton and had a
card from Mr Grindcobbe to announce who they were to the driver.  The two
lawyers joined them at Stamford and it was suggested they tried to sleep
between the stops to change horses. The road wasn't bad, as the snow hadn't
settled, and he said both of them had managed to sleep at least until just
after dawn.  They changed coaches somewhere and got to St Albans in good
time to take the coach to London from the Peahen.  They had gone that way
as Mr Grindcobbe had important documents which had to be exchanged there.
In London they had a hackney cab to go to Mr Harrison's house near
Lincoln's Inn.  There was a great welcome when they arrived.  Three of the
sons were there.  Arthur, who was sixteen, then Edward who was as tall as
Arthur at fourteen and lastly the rapscallion, John, who was the same age
as Philip, just over twelve.

     There was a good evening meal and much chat.  The two elder brothers
were staying out of London at Mr Harrison's brother's house in Sevenoaks.
William was twenty and in his final year studying Law at Cambridge with
Albert who at eighteen had just started there.  The reason they were away
was that Albert had a weak chest and the smoky atmosphere of London was not
good for him.

     All the chat went on when the boys retired to bed.  They were sharing
a big room with two beds in it.  Robin said he thought he and Philip were
supposed to have the smaller one and the three brothers the other which was
much bigger, but John demanded Philip share the smaller bed with him.

     As Philip and John were getting on so well Philip said he didn't mind
sharing and Arthur said he was welcome to the little wretch as he fidgeted
and squirmed.  That meant Robin was in with Arthur and Edward.

     "Of course, Philip had to inspect their jakes," he said, "They only
have two on the main upstairs floor and one is for the boys and the other
for the parents.  He said his father was going to fit a whole lot in Careby
Hall for my grandfather and he had drawn some of the plans.  They didn't
believe him until he pulled out a couple of sheets of paper and showed them
what he'd suggested.  It was then Arthur asked if we were full brothers as
Philip had said 'his grandfather' and then pointed at me.  I told them the
truth and all they did was laugh.  It was young John who said they were all
uncles, too, and would have their widdle- pipes cut off if they looked at
any of the maids!"  He laughed as well.  "I had wondered why there was a
door in the corridor which could shut off the rooms which the brothers
shared.  Arthur then said their father had had the door put there and it
was usually locked at night and the boys had been warned what might happen
if another strayed."

     "I think your visit was arranged when my father was talking to Mr
Grindcobbe.  Something was said then, I guess."

     Robin smiled.  "I think that's right.  Mr Grindcobbe said as we
arrived back at Stamford yesterday that he hoped the visit had been a
success as your father had planned it when he said his son was too ill to
travel.

     "And are London boys the same as Lincolnshire boys?" I asked.

     He wrinkled his nose.  "I'll go into detail about that later.  You can
hear about our visits around first. So," Robin continued, "After the bank
visit and the meal we were left with the boys who took us to St Paul's
Cathedral.  I left the letter for your sister with one of the vergers who
said the Reverend Canning would be attending the evening service later and
he would pass the letter on.  Of course that's when the two rips played up.
We were allowed to go up to the Gallery as special guests the verger said
and had to be careful because it was a long drop if anyone fell over the
rail.  Those two sat opposite each other and John whispered about the sound
going round and round so Philip bellowed out 'John!!'.  I was quite
embarrassed but the other two must have known and just laughed.  I gave the
verger a shilling and he was quite obsequious.  I told Philip he would have
to pay me back when we got home.  The monkey just sneered."

     "Did you see my sister?"

     He nodded.  "Yes, we went to morning service on Sunday but I'll tell
you about that later 'cause we went then to look at the magnificent
buildings around."  He shook his head.  "I should have guessed young John
had more tricks up his sleeve.  We were in Threadneedle Street and that's
when he dared Philip for sixpence to ask the attendant about borrowing five
pounds.  Of course, Phil accepted the bet and won and it was the turn of
the others to go red.  It was getting dark then and we were a real couple
of country bumpkins going ooh-ah at all the gas lamps and the shops all lit
up."  He laughed.  "There was another good meal that night at the Harrisons
and Mr Grindcobbe was so pleased with his transactions he produced two
bottles of champagne!"

     "One up on me." I said, "I've never had champagne. Did you like it?"

     He nodded. "Both John and Philip had a small glass each and drank it
too quickly and the bubbles went up their noses so they spluttered.  But
I'd better tell you about the first night and I can tell you all boys are
the same.  After that evening's meal the grown-ups were going to play cards
so we all went up to the bedroom.  We talked about everything. They'd heard
I was going to join you at Ashbourne as a pupil.  They wanted to know if I
was scared and I said if I can deal with horses I can deal with boys.  They
said they were day-bugs at St Paul's School, but two of their cousins went
to a boarding school in Sussex."

     By this time Robin's plate was empty and I knew the maids would have
been to tidy my room so I suggested we went upstairs as I expected he had
things of a more lurid nature to tell me.  He laughed and said we'd better,
but things weren't too scandalous.

     Before he started on his tale again I showed him George's and his
father's letters and the herbal book.

     "I don't think that Jack Lascelles is right in the head.  He'll need
watching, he's quite evil," he said as he handed back the letters.

     "I'm sure Dr Dimbleby thinks he takes laudanum or something and he
does like strong liquors," I said.  "I'll tell you exactly sometime about
what I overheard when he was getting money off George.  I don't want to
break his confidence, though, as I promised not to say but he is too good
to be treated like that."

     As he turned the pages of the herbal I told him how Tarquin had pushed
the apple to Timmy to share and then got out the flute which Miss Barnes
had given him and said Mr Venables was going to teach him to play but
before I could say about the carving or the statue of the boy he
interrupted me.

     "There's something special about that boy," he said. "I'll miss being
with him when I'm at Ashbourne again, but I think he's happy here."

     I nodded.  "My father says he's special, too, and he gets on so well
with Mrs Bottom.  She says he's like another son."

     He laughed.  "A bit quieter than Jabez but probably just as equipped
when older."

     I confessed that we had slept together again.

     "Like me and the London boys," he said, "And I'd better finish my tale
so you know all that happened."  He got up and put another lump of wood on
the fire.  "I was quite tired that first night and Philip was looking
drowsy.  John was yawning, too, so we told them to get ready for bed and we
would, too.  I took my clothes off very quickly as I didn't want to be too
far from the grate with just my nightshirt on as I guessed we three older
ones would talk on.  Of course I had forgotten to take my nightshirt out of
my bag so I was delving in it completely naked when Arthur asked if my name
wasn't really Cock Robin and that imp John pointed at his brothers who were
now undressed as well and said at least I was Big Cock Robin!"

     He laughed.  "True!  I did have a bit more than the other two but they
weren't upset they just grabbed John and stripped him and tickled him and
said they were sure Philip had a bigger widdle-pipe than him.  Philip tried
to hide by the bed but Arthur caught him and I helped undress him while he
was struggling and squawking.  I knew he was just playing up as he's not
shy.  We made them stand side by side and they just about matched.  Young
John just sneered at his brothers and said they must have worn theirs down
with all the rubbing they did every night!  Edward went a bit red but
Arthur said he knew the scamp had been rubbing as well.  Poor John looked a
bit crestfallen and just said 'Nothing happens'.  Philip then said he
should just wait as it soon would.  I'd told him that already as he'd asked
me what two boys he'd seen behind the School Room were doing and laughing
about.  He said to John that he would tell him all about it when they were
in bed.  That meant we all went to bed, me between Edward and Arthur.  We
went on talking quietly and it wasn't long before there were inquisitive
hands as we felt each other.  The two young'uns were soon asleep but we
carried on and I learned again that all boys are the same.  Twice!"

     "And the brothers?"

     "Twice as well, and Saturday night and Sunday night!"  He giggled.
"And Philip whispered to me Monday morning that he thought something had
happened to him the night before but he didn't want to make John feel sad."

     "Has he said anything since?" I asked.

     "No.  I think he's been too excited telling Mum and Dad and James all
about what we saw and what we did.  You'll hear it all again, no doubt as
soon as he gets here."

     "Yes," I said, "I felt like that after my first visit to London.  It
looks as if he and young John would be good friends."

     He nodded.  "Anyway, I've told you about Saturday.  Sunday morning
there was a note from your sister saying we could sit in the front pews
with the clergy wives and families.  She would be there with the twins.  We
all felt rather grand as a verger led us to our seats.  Even young John was
on his best behaviour.  Your sister was already there with the twins who
insisted we all moved along so they could sit with us.  They got quite
excited when their father processed in behind the choir and the organ was
playing.  It was all very impressive.  The cathedral is so huge and it was
quite full of people.  Then there was communion and your brother-in-law
gave us ours.  As soon as the service was over he came to us and asked if
we would like to see some more of the cathedral not usually open to
visitors.  The twins knew all sorts of things and took John and Philip to
see where Lord Nelson was buried." He smiled.  "Your sister knew I played
the organ so I was introduced to Mr Goss the organist who said when I was
in London again he would show me the organ."

     "Bigger than ours I suppose."

     "Yes.  Your sister said it had three keyboards and we've only got two.
And it was loud and echoed round.  Mr and Mrs Harrison went home then and
the boys took us to look at the river and the new Houses of Parliament
being built.  We had to hurry back to have lunch as they wanted to show us
the Tower of London after.  I think we got quite dizzy with seeing so many
things.  There's so much to see even if the smoke and fog makes it
difficult to see far."

     "Well you certainly saw plenty even so."

     "Yes and Mr Harrison said we were welcome any time to visit again as
it kept John out of too much mischief."  He laughed.  "But Philip really
did us proud.  While we were waiting in the library before the evening meal
Philip told the boys to sit by the table there in a row.  He drew their
heads and shoulders and I was quite amazed how accurately he portrayed
them.  Mr Harrison was most impressed and said he would have the drawing
framed and Philip should sign it."

     "Is he good?" I asked

     "Well you saw his sketches for the jakes.  I know he loves drawing as
there's a whole pile of pages by his bed at home and he always seems to
have a pencil in his hand."

     "Better make sure he keeps at it and not waste too much time with that
other pencil in his hand!"

     We were sneering at each other over my weak jest as both knew the
Latin word it came from was the same for the other object when there was a
knock on the door.  I shouted 'Come in!'.  It was Philip.

     "Good morning Master Tom," he said as he entered, "Has my brother
finished telling you plenty of fibs?"

     "Not all of them yet," I said, "But I want to know what young John
said London toffee was made of?"

     He grinned.  "Boiled bulls' eyes - real ones from Smithfield Market."

     "You deserve a good whipping," his brother said, "You are not to say
that to James."

     "Have done," the incorrigible imp said, "All he said was 'Urgh' and
then said they tasted good done that way and could he have another piece!"

     Robin shook his head.

     "And did you enjoy your visit," I asked.

     He smiled and nodded.  "Never done anything like that before.  I
hadn't imagined what all the streets and buildings would look like.
Smelly, though.  Arthur said you get used to it.  And all the poor people.
There were boys with no warm coats sweeping across the roads so you could
miss all the horse..."  He looked at Robin.  "...I can say horse muck.  I
gave one boy a penny and he looked so pleased.  I saw another poor boy
asleep on some steps and I shivered. Why are people so poor as that?"

     "Mr Harrison said they're folk who've come to London thinking they can
find work and get plenty of money but it's difficult if you can't read and
write or you haven't got a skill," Robin said, "And lots drink any money
they earn.  He said it's a social problem but it was time for lunch so I
didn't have a chance to ask him more."

     I'd seen plenty of poor people when I'd been to London and those young
ruffians had chased me, but I hadn't asked why they were poor, I had just
accepted it.  But we had poor people in the village, too. Uncle Dodd said
that families were often too big, with wages too small to support them.
This was true even more so now, he argued, as agriculture was having a
difficult time.  That meant big families were bound to suffer.  I said this
to them and Robin agreed it made sense.  I didn't carry on to say the
failure of crops was a reason why families were leaving Ireland hoping to
have a better life in England, which Uncle Dodd had explained to me after
Liam and Niall had told of their life so far.

     Of course, I wanted to find out about Philip and John's nighttime
activity but I didn't want to embarrass him. I needn't have worried.

     He looked straight at me.  "I know you must know all about what boys
do," he said levelly, "Robin did explain it to me and I know I'm growing up
because Sunday night I think something happened."  He pointed at his
brother.  "He was asleep last night so I tried again and there was
something."  He grinned.  "It's good, isn't it?"

     Should I confess that I found it good, too?  Why not?  All boys must
be the same!

     "I'm glad you're growing up," I said and tried to look stern, "And if
you are then you must behave a bit more grown-up."  He looked a bit
startled.  "But it is good," I said with a grin.  He looked relieved.

     "And I wasn't asleep," his brother added and gave him a friendly cuff,
"You kept me awake."

     We all had a giggle and Philip then told me all about his adventures
in London as if I hadn't heard it all from Robin.  He was a happy lad and
he was most enthusiastic.

       There was just soup and platters of cold meats for lunch.  All was
bustle in the kitchen and everyone, including Mrs Clements, was busy
getting things ready for the Feast.  I took both boys to the breakfast room
and we scoffed most of the food laid out.  Benjy came in and said we'd
better disappear as my father would be in soon and we'd eaten things put
out especially for him.  We scampered back to my room and we sat and read
and chatted until it was time for them to go home to get ready for the
Feast.

     The time to gather in the Assembly Room was six o'clock and Rowley was
ready with the coach at our door well before.  He said he'd seen the last
of the servants go by the side lane earlier.  As the Hall would be prey to
intruders with everyone at the Feast I knew father had paid four of the
more reliable older grooms extra to patrol the grounds with shotguns at the
ready.  He said he remembered in his own father's days when two villains
were shot at but they managed to get away and word must have got around
that the Hall was always well- guarded.

     Golly!  What a sight when we got there!  Lots of lanterns, a big fire
in the grate and rows and rows of benches all ready for the throng.  My
mother said there would be about one hundred and fifty sitting for dinner
with extra tables for the younger children in the recently built schoolroom
across the road.  I made certain that Philip and James were seated with
Robin and their parents and I sat with them as only the important adults
were on the top table.  Of course, Squire Matthews and his wife were almost
late and there was a great cheer after Uncle Dodd said Grace and the food
started to be brought in.

     Mr Flaxman, the inn-keeper, and his two sons were in charge of the
barrels of ale and two of his potboys carried the filled tankards to the
tables for the men with two of the serving girls taking beakers of cordial
to the women and younger lads. I saw Liam and Niall helping Mrs Reynolds at
the serving table.

     Both Robin and I had a tankard of the ale each and stuffed ourselves
with roast pig, hot meat pie and roast potatoes as if we'd never been fed
before.  We watched Mary Ann especially as she was one of the serving girls
and saw the glances and straight looks of her would-be suitors.  Whether
his best britches were too tight, or he was aroused wantonly, but Isaac
Barker was squirming on his bench with his brother jabbing him in the ribs
and grinning at him.  I noted that Rowley was being joshed by the lads near
him every time Mary Ann went up to get more cordial and she was smiled at
by Jesse Flaxman, who stopped filling tankards whenever she was near him.
Our under-footman Jackson was in his livery and supervising the serving of
the top table and he certainly wasn't smiling when Jesse leant across the
table with the pitchers of cordial on it and made Mary Ann laugh at
something he said.  Robin had noted that too.

     "I wager he's asked her if she'd like a yard of his special ale," he
whispered, "Or just his yard!"

     I nearly choked on the mouthful of Mr Flaxman's best ale I'd just
taken.  "Probably only six inches," I managed to say, luckily without
Robin's parents hearing me though Philip did cock an eyebrow.

     There were a couple of minutes break after all that first course had
been eaten.  Luckily Squire Matthews didn't get up to make one of his
interminable speeches but my father got up instead and just said that after
the puddings had been consumed there would be dancing.  However, the tables
and benches needed to be cleared.  He pointed at the row of young grooms
and stablehands saying that all the girls were forbidden to dance with them
until they had exercised their arm muscles moving the furniture.  I waited
for Robin to make some comment but he just nudged me. We both knew a single
thought had passed and it was about something else they wanted to exercise
with any willing girl.

     I was already stuffed but had to have some of the steaming plum
pudding as well as the syllabub.  I hoped I would have enough breath to
play my flute for the dance tunes.  At last all were replete and my father
got up again and said how good the food had been.  He thanked everyone for
coming, as if anyone would have refused. He then thanked all the cooks and
the servers and everyone who had helped in any way suggesting that we
should give three cheers in appreciation.  The noise nearly raised the
roof!  The young men set to and the space ready for the dancing was soon
cleared.

     Robin and I went over to the two benches where our little band would
be playing.  Mr Barker must have had a change of heart about playing for
dancing as he joined us and took up the big bass viol.  "My boys say it's
just harmless fun," he said as Robin took his violin up and I got my flute
from it's box.  My father and mother opened the dancing by being first on
the floor and others made up the four couples for a jolly 'hands across and
down the middle' to 'Gathering Peascods'.  Other eights soon followed made
up by many of the other husbands and wives.  Gradually the younger lads,
who were standing in one group, shyly went up to the girls, who were
congregated in another group, and then the floor was full.  I looked at
Robin as both Rowley and Jackson advanced on Mary Ann waiting alone with
three couples ready to start.  Jackson won, but during the evening she did
dance with all four under the watchful eye of her grandfather who was
serving wine to the 'gentry' on the top table.  We played through our long
list of country dances and everyone seemed very happy especially the men,
young or old, who had held on to their tankards and were getting redder in
the face either from the exertion of the dancing, or the effects of the
ale, or both!

     At last all was over.  Sir Roger de Coverley was as usual our
finishing dance and everybody applauded.  I was tired and needed my bed.
Luckily all I had to do was pack my flute and get into the coach.  Poor
Rowley was driving so couldn't pursue Mary Ann and I was almost sure she
was helping Jesse Flaxman to pack away the cordial pitchers.  Isaac Baker,
stout Methodist as he was, was rather unsteady on his legs and his brother
was holding onto him as they left and I heard Isaac grumbling he needed to
piss bad as they lurched towards the nearest alleyway. I also looked around
but couldn't see where Jackson had got to.  So there were comments which
could be made about Mary Ann's desirous swains!

     Uncle Dodd had said at one of the intervals that I should join him at
the Goodhews for ten o'clock in the morning.  That meant he was going to
ask about an apprenticeship for Liam.  Would I be awake and fed in time as
my mother had said there would be no breakfast before half-past eight as
the servants would need to recover!

     I did wake at six and the rooster was crowing.  I slept again and was
awoken by water dripping on my face.  It was Benjy and I was still too
tired to grab him and pummel him to death!  I contented myself with just
splashing him as I washed while he held my towels and recounted all the
wonderful things at the Feast.  For Benjy it was mainly food but he did say
he saw one of the grooms pretending to drop his fork and sliding his hand
up Prissy Knowles's leg under her long skirt.  As Prissy was one who Isaac
and Jacob were always saying they wouldn't mind doing some haymaking with
it was something to tease them about, especially Isaac.

     "Who was it?" I asked.

     "Charlie Cornford," he said.

     I knew him.  He was fairly new in the village as his father had a
smallholding some six miles away and didn't have enough work for him to do
there.

     "My father says he's a good worker and he's been Mr Jarvis's helper
with the brood mares, hasn't he?"

     Benjy laughed.  "Yes, that's him.  I wager seeing those stallions at
it so much he thinks he's ready for servicing a mare of his own!"

     "You are quite uncouth, Benjy," I said, "But it's probably true.  My
brother Terence said more marriages have to be arranged after the Harvest
Supper as the cold weather around the Village Feast damps their ardour."

     Benjy giggled.  "But Charlie was harder last night."

     I flicked him with my towel.  "I said 'ardour'!"

     "I know, but he was shuffling around and I heard him say he couldn't
get up to go for a piss."  I flicked him again.  "I only said what I heard
him say," he said hopping out of reach.

     "Anything else?" I asked.

     "No, other than a lot of whispering every time Rogers went off to
water the trees outside."  He laughed.  "Everything ginger possible."  He
stopped and then whispered conspiratorially "Did hear someone say he wants
to leave the village.  Have you heard anything?"

     I couldn't say as Uncle Dodd had told me in confidence.  "Perhaps he
knows everyone is laughing behind his back," I prevaricated.

     Benjy was satisfied with that.  "Must go," he said, "Got to rub that
stuff on Eamonn's belly and make sure young Paul screams when I put his
hand in boiling water."

     "Don't be cruel," I said, "And watch how hard you rub Eamonn."

     He sniggered.  "He rubs himself hard enough and if he does it much
more Dr Lancelot will have to give him an ointment to heal another sore
bit."

     I threw the towel at him.  "And you would need some too I wager!"

     He just laughed and scuttled off grinning leaving me to dress in a new
jacket and riding britches which fitted me.  I must look neat and tidy.

     There were just boiled eggs and bread for breakfast.  Still, enough to
keep me going until luncheon.  No one was around other than a yawning
Milly, one of the kitchen maids who had spent the evening handing out
platters of carved meat.  I asked her if she had enjoyed herself and she
simpered and said she had and that Billy Oakes had asked her if he could
escort her to the Christmas Eve Dance.  Wow, even I thought Billy was a
handsome fellow and he would be a catch as his father was our head
gamekeeper and Billy was following in his footsteps.  I said Mr Venables
had some new tunes we might try out. She said she liked the old tunes but
liked dancing to anything.  Especially with Billy, I thought!

     The household didn't start to get into order until I heard Mrs
Clements the housekeeper shouting that there was work to do and maids and
lads started to scurry around.  I had no idea of the time as the
grandfather clock in the hallway had stopped.  Father was always saying he
was going to get a new one but never got round to it.  I heard the church
clock strike nine and that meant I had to hurry.  At least Bobby was up and
about in the stable.  Horses have to be watered and fed and woe betide any
groom who was found wanting in his duties as far as my father was
concerned.  Anyway, Blaze was soon saddled and Silver and Tarquin mollified
with a couple of old apples each and I was off.


To be continued: