Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2013 19:08:27 +0000
From: Jo Vincent <joad130@hotmail.com>
Subject: Tom Brownings Schooldays

			 Tom Browning's Schooldays

				    By

				   Joel

			    Chapter Fifty Three



It was decided that a visit to the church was necessary the next day and
that Robin would ask his brother to find what else he had written about the
Hall without divulging the reason.  On looking out we saw that it was now
raining so we spent time showing Branscombe rooms which were closed and
rarely used.  Branscombe was most intrigued when we told him about the
mystery Philip's measurements of the Hall had revealed.  It was with
difficulty we dissuaded him from going to Mr Clements for the key to the
cellar.  We were ready for more sustenance at four o'clock and I said we
should go the Library as tea would be served there.  Robin and Branscombe
went ahead as Benjy and Eamonn came into the passageway with the trolley.

     I waited until Benjy was level with me and silently indicated he
should stay and Eamonn go on.  I wanted to ask more questions of what had
happened while we had been at School so we tarried in the passageway.

     "That man in the lockup, has he gone to Boston?" was my first query.

     Benjy smiled.  "Your Uncle Dodd gave him three shillings from the Poor
Box and sent him on his way and told him not to return.  Mr Johnson saw him
to the next village and said he was swearing all the way but we have not
heard of him since."  He then shook his head.  "Perhaps I should say that
is not quite true as my father thinks he saw him in Stamford some two weeks
after and that is quite a wrong direction for Boston." He nodded before I
asked any more. "About that other business in which those two young men
were beaten.  That is all clear now.  Your uncle did the right thing as the
culprits were in that village in Rutland and so the constable there
arrested them.  They were threatened with the Assizes and confessed.  It
was over some girl and there is a marriage to take place."  He made curved
movements over his belly so it was clear she was with child.  He was in
full flow.  "Then those horse-stealing villains who injured Mr Jarvis are
to be sentenced at the Hilary Assizes in Lincoln with that man who was
wanted for thieving all over the place.  My father says they'll all be
transported or rot in prison for years."

     "So Liam and his cousin were lucky not to be accused as well?"

     Benjy smiled.  "I have heard nothing but praise for either of them.
Mr Goodhew had that Liam here to make good a stone lintel and left him to
finish the carving near the end.  You could not tell now what is old and
what is new.  The other one draws up letters for that lawyer who is always
here and I heard him tell your father he was glad to have him in his
employ."

     I laughed.  "Benjy, you have answered all my questions before I asked
them!"
     He grinned and bowed his head.  "I try my best to please."  He looked
conspiratorial.  "I overheard you have found something interesting."

     I nudged his arm.  "Benjy, listening at doors?  But no, young Freddy
found it.  When we are alone I will show you."

     He glanced up at me.  "Is it something not to be discussed?"

     I tossed my head.  "Not at the moment but we may need help."  I put my
finger to my lips.  "We are visiting the church tomorrow and we might know
more then."  I held my finger up.  "There might be a little task for you
after that."

     It was his turn to toss his head.  "It is like a mystery in one of
those penny papers."

     "Penny papers?"

     He laughed.  "My father had a bundle for Mr Flaxman at the Arms.  He
says they draw in more custom.  Some are full of stories of murders and
thieving and journeys to strange lands but there are mysteries as well.
Looking for hidden gold was one I read."

     "You must tell me about that sometime but we had better find what the
others are doing," I said pointing to the open door of the Library.

     Robin and Branscombe were standing each with a filled teacup and
looking intently once again at that beautiful plate of the boy with the
hare and the copy made by Philip.  Branscombe beckoned me over.

     "Tom, I have asked Robin if Freddy and I could ask his brother to make
us copies of the boy with the hare.  Would that be impertinent do you
think?  I would pay him gladly but what should I offer?"

     Robin was smiling.  "I do not think my brother has ever drawn anything
he did not want to."  He shook his head then.  "As far as I know he has
never asked for a penny for any of the drawings he has made.  He has given
them away quite freely."  He laughed.  "My father is the only one to
grumble as he has to buy the paper Philip uses but he does it good-
naturedly."

     "Why not just ask him and say you are willing to recompense him for
his time and effort," I said.  I knew that Philip was rarely without a
pencil and a piece of paper handy and took the greatest delight in
sketching anything that caught his interest.

     They walked to the comfortable sofa near the fire and sat while I
looked at the array of small cakes and pastries accompanying the empty cups
on the trolley.  I indicated a cake and a pastry and sat beside Branscombe
who looked at the plate which Eamonn handed to me.

     "I would have the same," he said as Eamonn took up a plate for him.
Benjy had already placed two cakes and a pastry on a plate for Robin who
very quickly devoured the first cake before Branscombe had noticed.
     Nothing was said as we sat contentedly and emptied our plates and
cups.  As Eamonn filled our cups for a second time so Freddy appeared at
the door accompanied by Marie, my mother's maid.  On seeing us she
whispered something to Freddy and disappeared.  He had such a happy look on
his face.

     "I can only wish I may learn more while I am here," he said as he sat
beside Branscombe with Benjy placing a plate with two small cakes on the
occasional table near him.  "Mrs Browning says I am progressing well."  He
turned to me now with a beseeching look.  "Please would you ask Mr Pretyman
if I might speak to Mrs Dimbleby.  I have some shillings I could pay her if
she would teach me more."

     Branscombe patted him on the knee.  "I am sure Tom would do as you
wish but he said he will speak to her himself.  I do not think Mrs Dimbleby
would want any payment.  Wait and see and I am sure all will come right."

     Freddy smiled again.  "Everyone is most kind.  I must tell grandpapa
but I will not put anything in my letter to my mother.  I will not tell her
I am to go to London as she would forbid it I am sure."  He looked over at
Robin.  "I must keep that drawing of me safely.  Is there a present I could
give Master Philip for it?"

     Robin smiled back at him.  "I am sure my brother is most satisfied
with your thanks but we may find something while we are in London."  When
he said that I thought it might also solve Branscombe's problem.

     Freddy shook his head.  "I have not been to London.  That boy Natty
said he had been to the Tower and a museum and Lawson says the city is full
of other big buildings.  Are there shops?"

     Robin nodded.  "There are many shops and they all sell wonderful
things.  You must wait and see and you will no doubt spend all your
shillings!"

     Freddy looked at his feet.  He had on my old but shiny shoes.  "I must
have new shoes but I do not know what they may cost."

     "Do not worry, Freddy," I said, "I will speak to my mother and she
will deal with such matters.  Both Robin and I will need new things as well
and Master Branscombe is growing fast, too."

     Branscombe grinned at me.  "I think there will be a general visit to
one of those shops for all of us."

     Freddy looked more relieved after this and tucked into the food on his
plate.  Eamonn brought the cakestand to us again and another cake or pastry
disappeared.  As all had eaten enough we had to decide how we could while
away the time before our dinner which Benjy said would be at seven o'clock.
I said I had cards and books in the bedroom so we could either read or play
a game of loo or whist.

     As we went upstairs Freddy seemed a little apprehensive and I heard
Branscombe ask him if he was still worried about his need for new shoes.  I
heard him whisper that his mother did not let him play cards.  I think we
were hearing enough about his mother and her restrictions on the poor boy.
To allay any further qualms he might have I found among the books I had
brought from London one with illustrations of wild animals around the
world.  This pleased him mightily and he was soon curled up by the fire
reading avidly.  We three older ones were noisy as we played three-handed
whist making up some rules as we went along.  We soon tired of this and as
we played discussed what we might see when in London.  Branscombe said he
really wanted to go to Greenwich to see the Naval Hospital there which his
father had pronounced to be most fine.  This caught Freddy's attention and
to amuse him we made a list of other things to see which were quite
spurious like 'King Charles' Head', 'Dick Whittington's Cat', 'Achilles'
Heel' and 'Queen Boadicea's crown'.

     I did say that Uncle Digby Wright had many interesting curios in his
room which made Branscombe laugh and he pointed up at the wooden
statue. "Even more than this!" he said which made Freddy look up.

     "What is that?" he asked and as Branscombe stood and lifted it down
from the top of the tall chest he burst out laughing.  "That is like
Lawson!  He acts like an African when I tell him about my Grandfather's
adventures.  Grandfather says the natives go to hunt quite naked carrying
those long spears."  He giggled.  "All Lawson has for a spear is one of Mr
Pretyman's walking sticks and little Pilbrow is the hunted deer."

     "Does he hunt naked like that?" Robin asked.

     "Oh, yes!  He puts a bed sheet over his shoulder and stalks his prey
while I tell the tales.  I should not say, but he sticks up, not out like
that black fellow!"  We all laughed as Freddy pointed to the substantial
rigid peg.  He had more to relate. "Pilbrow likes being hunted.  He squeals
when Lawson catches him and pokes the spear into him.  Barnstable just
sneered onetime and said we were no better than the natives themselves
playing games like that.  He squealed when we rolled him in a coverlet and
pulled his britches off and Lawson speared him like a young pig.  He didn't
sneer then as he is not so big as Lawson though or me though we are of an
age."  He smiled.  "He does join in now though he keeps his britches on."

     I wondered if I might say about George's game of Quarterstaffs but
thought better of it though it would have been a fine contest for all
Lawson's friends to experience!  Robin then told him about Timmy and that
the carving was a gift to him from Miss Barnes.  Freddy nodded as he
remembered seeing Timmy at Ashbourne when he had visited the stable there.
He was intrigued with the story of how he was now at Careby but Black
Jack's evil ways were not related other than he had been expelled after
drunkenness.  There must have been discussion even among the Whelps as
Freddy said he had heard the disturbance that night with people carrying
lanterns going past the House.  We waited but he did not ask if Timmy ever
went naked, nor if he had a pizzle to match!

     Time was now passing quickly and we had tidied ourselves just as Benjy
tapped on the door to escort us down to the Library.  Jackson and the twins
were already there in ordinary grey livery.  Jackson announced that the
dinner would be a little later as my father had been called to the stables
but had just arrived back and my mother and Aunt Matty were looking through
a parcel of dresses brought by the carrier.  It was then we heard voices in
the passageway.  I heard my father laughing with my Uncle Dodd but four
figures came through the door.  The older pair preceded Philip who had
Eamonn, also in grey livery, behind him carrying a bundle of rolls of
paper.  We four stood and waited.

     "Ah, Alfred, I thought we might be in time before those youngsters
attacked the sherry," my father said as soon as he stepped into the room.
"I am very partial to a glass after dealing with such as Wagstaffe and his
crew."  He turned to Philip.  "Young O'Meara can put your burden over there
and tell those ruffians to make a place for you on that sofa."  That was a
signal to sit.  Eamonn was on the mark.  He took the rolls of paper to a
table and returned to stand beside Jackson and the other footmen.  Jackson
was quick off the mark, too.  Two glasses of fine Amontillado were placed
on a silver tray and taken to my father and Uncle Dodd who were now
standing warming themselves in front of the fire.  Neither were in evening
dress with father in a half-decent frock coat, which he kept in a closet in
the passage, and Uncle Dodd in his ordinary clergyman's cutaway coat.  Both
had come from other duties I was sure.

     My father looked at the five of us perched rather precariously in line
on the sofa having made a little room for Philip.  "Look at those poor
things, Alfred, lined up there like young sparrows in the nest waiting for
a tasty worm for their supper.  Do you think a small glass to moisten their
throats before the ladies appear and we make our peace would not be amiss?"

     Uncle Dodd surveyed us.  "As long as it does not lead to that raucous
singing I have heard at the Varley Arms at times."

     My father's eyebrows shot up.  "Have you been frequenting Flaxman's
tavern?"

     Uncle Dodd smiled.  "I do have occasion to see my parishioners there
when needed and I find a glass of ale helps matters when they are delicate
as this afternoon."

     My father snorted.  "I shall need more than that to straighten my path
tonight."  He looked over at Jackson.  "Something sweet for the two young
ones and the others may try this."

     Oh!  I had only been allowed some of the fragrant Amontillado on one
other occasion.  I did find it rather biting at first on the tongue, my
brother Terence said it was 'sec', or dry, but the taste after that was
quite exquisite.  Five glasses were handed round on the silver tray.  It
was the turn for Branscombe's eyebrows to raise as he took a tentative sip.
A quiet 'Ooh' came moments later as he savoured the experience.

     My father's glass was empty and Jackson was immediately there with the
decanter.  "You're a good lad, too.  No waiting for those who thirst."  He
raised his glass and took a sip.  "So, how have you wasted your afternoon?"
my father directed his question to Cedric who by this time realised my
father was not as fierce as he sometimes sounded.

     "Sir, we have discussed many things and also looked at the
preparations for the closets.  I will describe them to my father as I have
experienced those at Sir Digby's in London.  It would be good if they were
commonplace I am sure."

     My father harumphed.  "It is the upheaval in a place like this."  He
paused.  "And the expense!"

     Uncle Dodd laughed.  "Do not complain, Sam, you will be toast of the
county.  There are few who can boast of such convenience.  You will be
visited by all and sundry eager to encounter such comfort..."

     "...and eat and drink and cause me further expense."  He paused to
take another sip of the sherry.  "Now to business," he said after he had
swallowed that, "I half-promised Matthews we would have a dinner here on
Saturday after the Hunt and I have forgotten to warn my dear wife and we
shall be off to London on Monday."  He paused and took a larger sip.

     Uncle Dodd laughed.  "And how many would that entail?"

     "The dinner or the journey?"

     "Do not be contrary, Sam, you know full well I mean the dinner.  It
cannot be many as most will ride away to their homes immediately."

     Father shrugged his shoulders.  "Now comes my problem.  I was called
to the stables this afternoon as Wagstaffe was there wanting three more
hunters.  In a feeble moment I did suggest Wagstaffe and Lady Blanche might
care to remain for dinner after the Hunt..."

     I could see Uncle Dodd was not impressed.  "...and that friend of his,
Gowring, no doubt was with him?"  Father shrugged again.  "I do not think
Mrs Browning will be pleased," Uncle Dodd said with a shake of his head.

     I think we were all agog at this conversation.  I had not heard
prospective dinner guests discussed before.  I thought better than to make
any comment.  I glanced over at Jackson who screwed his eyes up.  Then I
remembered.  Mr Gowring had been entertained once before when I was much
younger and had on his arm a rather over-painted lady in a very bright and
decorated dress with feathers at the shoulders.  I had not been at the
dinner but had watched the guests arrive from the safety of the stairs and
had overheard comments later from a footman who had moved away to another
household.  These were not very complimentary about that lady and her
manners towards the servants.  I remembered one remark that the 'person',
which immediately put her in a very low station, had 'less breeding than a
broomstick'.  Later I had asked Jackson, who was my 'valet' at the time,
what he had meant and he had shrugged, just like father tonight, and said
at least a broomstick was useful and 'the Madame' as he called her had
spent the entire evening complaining.  The food was either too hot, or too
much, and her glass was not filled promptly.  She had brought her fan to
the table and had poked her neighbour, the Squire, in the face more than
once as she waved it around.  As Mrs Matthews had looked as dowdy as usual
Jackson had said the proud peacock had made some remark, while surveying
her dress, about country fashion as not being as forward as that of London.
This had shocked the other ladies present who were all 'country'.

     My father looked at me across from where he was sitting.  "No word to
your mother about the dinner, my boy, I will try to make peace."  Uncle
Dodd laughed.  He did not enlighten us about his afternoon and the delicate
matter.

     Cedric was obviously as transfixed as I was over the tenor of the
discussion.  "Are there to be many at the dinner?" he asked.  "Is it to be
most formal as my best tail suit will be in London when I get there?"

     My father laughed.  "My boy, it is a dinner in the country, with
country manners.  I will not outdo Wagstaffe who has more hunting jackets
than a man should possess but seemingly little else.  I shall be
comfortable in what I wear as we have said before."

     Freddy was looking rather bemused by all this.  I could not ask if he
would be present with so many older folk attending.  In fact I was assuming
that I, with Robin and Branscombe would be present as father had not said
nay when Cedric had made his enquiry.  It was something to question my
mother about once peace had been made.

     Nothing more was said on the matter but as soon as my father had
finished his glass he smiled at Philip.  "You have documents and drawings
to show what will be happening here while we cavort in London town."

     Philip smiled back.  He stood and went to the large table on which the
rolls of paper had been placed.  "Sir, my father has made sure all measures
are correct and he will be in charge of all the work.  There is little new
here which has not been discussed but I have ventured to make a drawing or
two extra for the carvings."  He picked up one of the smaller rolls and
brought it nearer to us where the candlelight was brighter.  He undid one
piece and handed the rest to his brother to hold.  We all stood as he held
up the drawing.  It was a much enlarged copy of the hare and was very
carefully done.  He reached out and took a second piece.  This time it was
of a swan.  "I took a crust of bread to the river and the swan looked most
elegant and kept close while I drew her.  You will see that in both I have
made the lines simple for a carver to copy," he said.  "I must decide what
other creatures or things I should draw ready for all the rooms though
there is a foal and a dove already done as well."

     My father laughed.  "You have done well, my boy.  How many will there
be?  A round dozen, eh?"  Philip nodded as my father took the drawing of
the swan from him.  "I can only hope a carver can match this."

     "My father says we should engage an Italian carver he knows of in
Bedford.  He has seen work of his and will ask your permission to show him
my drawings and ask his prices."

     My father handed back the drawing and held up his hands.  "You may do
as you wish."  Whatever the carving would cost would no doubt be more than
matched by what Sir Montgomery Wagstaffe would be paying for three fine
hunters!  Philip was still smiling as he replaced the paper on the table
and rejoined us on the sofa.

     There was now the sound of female chatter before my mother and Aunt
Matty swept in preceded by Mr Clements with a sconce of candles to light
their way. As often happened she and Aunt Matty were quite animated about
something. We all stood as the ladies surveyed us, our glasses in hand.  My
mother gave us boys a quizzical look then turned to Mr Clements.  "Please
do sound the gong."

      I looked at my father and tried to raise my eyebrows.  He pursed his
lips slightly.  "My dear," he said addressing my mother, "My stomach calls
me straight way to the table."  Freddy put down his now-empty glass and
went to my mother offering his arm.

     My mother looked at him and smiled.  "Are you the youngest?"

     Freddy looked up at her.  "I shall be thirteen on Easter Monday."

     "That is my birthday, too!" whispered a startled Philip.

     This caused great merriment as Freddy left my mother's side and hugged
Philip.  "You are my twin I am sure!" he said as he was hugged back.  "I
have always wanted a brother," he added.

     "Then you could not choose a better sibling," Uncle Dodd said and
patted both on their backs.

     Philip was not to be outdone.  "I would have to question you carefully
on all your likes and dislikes but I would accept you from what I have seen
and heard already.  There is another question to ask as we have not decided
who is the elder but I was born before midday so my mother has told me."

     Freddy nodded.  "My father laughs and says I upset his luncheon so you
are older by an hour or so."  He turned to my mother.  "Madam, may I escort
you?"

     Amidst more laughter Philip bowed to my aunt and we all processed to
the dining- room.

     Philip and Freddy sat either side of my mother at her end of the table
and Cedric and Robin were with my aunt towards the middle of one side with
Uncle Dodd and me opposite them.  I listened as Uncle Dodd told my father
that the delicate incident at the Varley Arms was over a young couple who
had eloped and had been followed by the girl's father who was more than
angry.  Flaxman, the inn-keeper, had become alarmed as the man was making
threats and had a pistol.  He knew it was no use trying to get the drunken
constable involved so had sent for Uncle Dodd as both the Justice of the
Peace and a clergyman.

     It transpired that the young woman, of no more than twenty, had been
promised to the son of a neighbour and a dowry of some ten thousand pounds
had been agreed.  The girl was adamant she would not marry the man who was
over thirty and of uncertain temperament. I took that to mean he liked his
drink.  The young man she was with was still a student at Cambridge but was
the elder son of a genteel, if poorer, family and was due to inherit some
five hundred acres under his grandfather's Will.

     As a deal of the shouting had taken place in public in the inn the
whole matter would, no doubt, be common knowledge in the village within
hours Uncle Dodd said.  He had managed to get the three parties involved
into a private room where the girl's father had quietened down. It was a
clear case of love or money my Uncle said.  It transpired that the father
did not like the intended husband nor his family but he wanted his daughter
settled.  There had been a fearful row on the Saturday night and the girl
had ridden off to the boy's home near Saffron Walden early on Sunday
morning.  They decided to ride to Scotland to get married there and he left
a message for his parents who had then taken fright but delayed contacting
the other family.  The others had already discovered the daughter had gone
and the two fathers had met half way between their homes.  After words were
exchanged - here Uncle Dodd laughed and said he was glad duelling was now
frowned upon - the girl's father rode off post-haste finding plenty of
people on the way who had seen the pair galloping along.

     They had money so were able to get fresh horses and had stayed the
night in separate rooms in a hostelry north of Cambridge then had set off
again at dawn.  They had lost their way and had taken a wrong road which
led them to Careby with the need for fresh steeds.  Here the father had
caught up with them.  What was to be done?

     From the amused looks which passed between my father and Uncle Dodd a
sensible conclusion had been reached.  The father realised that his
daughter would be unhappy with the arrangement of her life; the man's wife
was also unhappy because the girl was her only and thus most-cherished
daughter; the man's son was the best friend of the young man involved and
was also at Cambridge with him; so all in all it was decided to send the
girl to a favourite great-aunt in Surrey who had no children and needed a
companion and heiress, though the last was only hinted at.  Uncle Dodd also
said that after all the commotion the pistol was not loaded or he would
have had to issue a warrant for the man's arrest!

     My father laughed at the end of the tale and held up his glass of
claret as if to toast Uncle Dodd.  "Let us drink to a happy conclusion and
to your good sense as well for no doubt you made the decisions for them.
Where are the errant pair at present?"

     Uncle Dodd held up his glass, too.  "The girl is with her father at
the Varley Arms and he will hire a coach in the morning and speed her to
the great-aunt's house near Windsor." He laughed.  "The boy is at the
Rectory under the watchful eye of Mr Simpson and being fed rabbit stew by
Mrs Reynolds who thinks he is half-starved.  He is at Pembroke and I know
his tutor so he will be no trouble.  I will see him on his way home
tomorrow!"  He and my father both drank from their glasses and held them
ready to be filled again.

     As Jackson brought the decanter to him my father saw me looking and
smiling as it was a good tale.  "That boy's ears have been flapping more
than the sails on Brady's windmill.  Let us hope some unwitting father will
settle a good dowry on any poor wench he might flatter and charm as the
cost of keeping him clothed and fed for the next twenty years is more than
any father should endure."

     I put on an innocent face.  "Father, does that mean I can go my own
way with your support until I am thirty, perhaps?  That would be sixteen
years so I promise not to be a burden for the last four years of the
twenty."

     "Wretch!  That tongue of yours is flapping again as well."  He
beckoned Jackson.  "Let the boy have more claret as supping it will keep
his jaws and tongue active."  He smiled as he shook his head.  At least my
words also meant that Branscombe and Robin had their glasses filled as
well.

     We had finished dinner but had not left the table when a dishevelled
and exhausted Lancelot appeared.  He was most apologetic but explained he
had been called to three different patients, miles apart, since luncheon
and had just ridden from Witham on the Hill where an injured man had died.
Aunt Matty gave him one of her looks and he did not elaborate.  He did say
to Uncle Dodd, between mouthfuls of the dinner he was then served, that the
new curate from Witham would be arriving on Saturday week to take the
services both here and for Rass's parishioners on the Sunday while we were
all away and Mrs Reynolds needed to be warned as he would be staying at the
Rectory for two nights.  Lancelot said he had met him and he was a most
personable young man.

     I had mentioned to Philip we would be visiting the church in the
morning as I, prevaricating, wanted to show Branscombe and Freddy the
Varley monument and to play the organ.  He asked if he might come as he was
willing to pump the bellows.  It was agreed.  I recollected that we could
also look in the Parish Registers in the vestry for any Edwards and
Williams who might match our surmised dates as well as look for any other
monuments or inscriptions of which there were plenty.

     So, in the morning we were ready after breakfast to start our
explorations.  I had remembered we should not be too early as Uncle Dodd
would be saying his Daily Office and Aunt Matty had said last night, when
giving me the key to the organ, that we should not disturb him if we went
after nine o'clock.

     Even before Philip appeared we had found what we wanted.  We had not
bothered with the Varley monument but scanned the more than a dozen wall
plaques and small carved urns with inscriptions in niches.  Cedric was the
first to notice two almost identical memorials.  Each was about ten feet up
on the South wall of the chancel and were close together.  Both were white
marble with a raised border and plain black lettering.  Cedric read out the
first:
          'Sacred to the memory of our beloved son Edward Hurst Sheridan
           who died at Calcutta on the 13th day of August 1757 whilst in
the service
           of the Honourable East India Company aged 26 years.'
     "He died young, poor fellow.  I warrant he had a fever," he said
shaking his head.  "When Miss Barnes said about her father and that Company
I remembered my father saying that many young men did not return from
India."

     "Look at the next," I said pointing eagerly.  It must have been carved
by the same mason as the lettering was identical.  I read:
          'To the enduring memory of Lieutenant William Sheridan Matthews
of His
            Majesty's Royal Navy who died January 1760 aged 29 years when
his
            ship had foundered off the Bahamas.  A Loving Son and Gallant
Officer.'
     "That is only three years later," I said having noted the dates and
also made the calculations of their ages in 1747.  "That is the second I am
sure."

     Robin was looking intently at the inscription.  "I would agree that is
the William and he must have been kin to the Squire's family.  They have
owned land here for generations."

     Before I could say any more Philip came hurrying through the vestry
door.  He saw us staring up at the memorials and came and stood beside
Robin.

     "What do you know of these, Philip?" Robin asked pointing upwards to
the pair.

     "Why do you ask?" the inquisitive lad enquired, "Has the Squire
decided to have his father's memorial made to place under those?"

     Robin shook his head.  "Nothing has been said by Mr Matthews but the
William named there must have been kin."

     Philip laughed.  "That is so, he was the Squire's uncle," he pointed
up as well.  "Look at the one by its side for Edward Sheridan.  He was also
the Squire's uncle.  Careby Hall was then owned by the Sheridan family and
those two were cousins."

     "So a Matthews married a Sheridan?" I asked.

     "That is so, and a Hurst married a Sheridan," Philip answered. "I have
seen the marriages and the births as recorded in the Parish Registers when
I was helping James to make his history.  They are in the parish chest in
there."  He indicated the closed vestry door.  "Mr Thatcher has the key to
the box and is loath to let anyone touch them.  Why are you interested?

     I was afraid young Freddy might blurt out about his finding of the
drawing but I could see Branscombe was gripping his arm as a caution.

     "That is something which will have to wait until later," Robin said as
Uncle Dodd came through the vestry door into the aisle where we were
standing.  He was accompanied by a young man in rather worn riding clothes.

     "I heard you were all seen coming here," Uncle Dodd said with a smile,
"Let me introduce a young traveller."  He turned to the young man.  "Rufus
Pennington of Pembroke College these are either kin or friends and I leave
them to introduce themselves."

     So this was the troubled swain.  He did manage to smile at my uncle's
strange introduction and I looked at him as each in turn from Cedric along
to me bowed our heads and said our names.  He was a handsome young man with
a shock of fair hair and a winning smile now the ice was broken.  He said
nothing as Uncle Dodd looked along the line we were standing in.

     "Ah, you are all assembled, am I to hear you play?"  This was directed
at Robin and me as all of us had turned to face him.

     "I have offered to pump," Philip said.

     Branscombe smiled at me over Freddy's head.  "Later, then!" he
mouthed.


To be continued:


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