Date: Tue, 8 Oct 2013 16:11:16 +0000
From: Jo Vincent <joad130@hotmail.com>
Subject: Tom Browning's Schooldays Ch 65
Tom Browning's Schooldays
By
Joel
Chapter SixtyFive
As we drove out of the port of Calais so Lancelot and Mr Johnson fell into
deep conversation and we boys whispered together. The Johnson twins were
intrigued with Jabez and wanted to know who he was. Robin and I kept
silent as Jabez informed them he was employed by my Uncle Digby as a
messenger and clerk and he would be delivering and collecting documents
especially in Paris. This was news to us and meant the dear lad would be
questioned much further when he was alone with us! However, his answers
satisfied Martin and Alain, and so they should for he was most neatly
dressed in his black jacket and striped trousers as one would expect of a
senior clerk.
I remarked that the coachman, Claude, had greeted us in English.
Alain said he had been in the Johnson employ from the age of fourteen or so
and he was now near thirty. He had been in charge of the boys when they
were little and thus had picked up the English spoken in the home. Mr
Johnson had encouraged him to learn more as he often had to drive English
visitors to Paris or beyond. The younger lad, Pierre, was sixteen and was
Claude's cousin and was being educated at a school run by clergy in Calais
but was on vacation as we were. He was not there to be trained as a
priest, Martin explained, but it was a school like Ashbourne though he did
not board there but went daily from his parents' house in a hamlet some two
miles nearer Calais.
I had not really noticed how the twins were dressed until we were
seated in the coach. Both wore good shirts which were open at the neck and
had loose sleeves. Since they had sat opposite me in the inn I had not
noted their trousers. They were not such trousers as I had seen before
except they resembled in some way those baggy pantaloons that Jabez and
Mehmet had worn as Genies! The twins' trousers were not as loose as those
but were of a light white material which I realised would be most
comfortable in hot weather.
Martin saw me appraising his wear. He lifted a leg and showed he was
also wearing light shoes though the sole was substantial enough. "We shall
be travelling down inland and the temperature rises and so we will wear
these; we call them pantalon which is the usual word for trousers. We put
them on today as we needed to see whether they fitted us." Ah, I thought,
so the French word is almost the same as ours for those loose garments the
Genies wore.
His brother smiled and joined in. "We always know the English
travellers for they take their coaches wearing their woollen suits and they
will be in Italy in a week or so and will boil!"
I said we had linen suits in our baggage and they both nodded. "We
will ask Papa to let us take you to Monsieur Georges to get you fitted with
such as these as well."
I expressed concern over time but did not mention cost and was told
that as the clothes were quite loose and, in fact, were pulled at the waist
by a cord which was hidden by a belt, a visit to a tailor would take only a
few minutes!
With the chatter I had not realised we were now well outside the town
and although there was quite a stream of coaches, smaller closed carriages
and open curricles we were progressing steadily on a well-made road. We
turned onto a smaller lane which led to a manor house which was bigger than
the Squire's house in Careby and looked almost as large as Careby Hall with
its range of windows on at least three floors. As soon as we drew up
several men and boys appeared and Mr Johnson gave orders in French for the
coach to be taken and unloaded. A new coachman took Claude's place and I
saw Claude and Rowley talking together as the latter was led off towards
the rear of the mansion. We had no time to stand and stare for Mr Johnson
escorted the rest of us, including Jabez, to the open main doors of the
impressive edifice.
Mr Johnson led us into the entrance hall which was wide, long, tall
and airy. We stopped inside the doorway where two servants stood bowing
their heads. They took our hats and cloaks and as Mr Johnson turned to
speak to Lancelot we walked further in. I did have a moment to stare at
the walls adorned with portraits, crossed swords, animal heads and two
large tapestries of arresting form and colour. Alain saw my interest and
Robin was gazing, too. Alain pointed to the tapestry hanging on the left
side, "That is Acis and Galatea," he said, then indicated the other, "This
is my favourite. It is Dido and Aeneas."
Martin came up behind us. "They are both very fine but our Uncle
Philippe has more in his h"tel in Paris."
Both Robin and I must have looked puzzled. Did his uncle own a hotel
like the ones in London where travellers stayed?
The twins exchanged glances then both grinned and Alain nodded. "No,
I know what you are thinking," Martin said, "The grand houses in Paris are
called that." He laughed. "My father is always amused when English
visitors passing through ask him if the H"tel de Ville in Paris is
comfortable. He has to tell them that it is the same as the Town Hall in
England but he thinks few believe him."
"Uncle Philippe has invited us all to stay with him when we are in
Paris but I do not think my father has told your cousin this," said Alain.
A quandary. Lancelot was expecting us to stay with his friends in St
Denis on the outskirts of the city. How long would we be in Paris?
"It is no matter," chimed in Martin, "We will have four days in Paris
so Uncle Philippe can share us with your cousin's friends."
There was no time to discuss that as Mr Johnson beckoned us tardy
ones. "My wife will be waiting in the salon," He smiled. "I must remember
to say 'drawing-room'!"
Martin behind me said quite emphatically "Papa, they all speak
French!"
"That may be so," his father said, "But I wish to practise my
English." He turned to Lancelot and laughed. "I have lived in France so
long I have to think carefully sometimes what a word might be. Only
yesterday I was looking at something wielded by the farrier and could not
think what the English word was for marteau."
He laughed again as he caught Robin's whispered 'hammer'. "C'est
vrai, mon gar‡on!" he said holding up a hand and pointing towards an
ornately carved door towards the end of the hall.
The door was opened by one of the servants. I noted they were dressed
in a light cloth livery. Something to enquire about before we returned
home. We were greeted by a very stately lady seated with a greyhound dog
at her feet.
"My dear, our guests have arrived," Mr Johnson announced. Madame
Johnson rose from her seat and I could she was most elegantly dressed. Was
it because she was French that she resembled my mother both in height and
features? She had a welcoming smile as her husband took Lancelot to her
and he was introduced. He took her gloved hand and kissed her fingers. I
heard a low murmur in French but she replied in English with barely an
accent.
"My dear Doctor Dodd, please speak in English. I need good
conversation and those sons of mine talk of nothing but shooting birds and
fishing and something outrageous called football." Lancelot bowed his head
and stepped back.
Martin took my arm. "Maman, may I introduce a good friend, Master Tom
Browning, and he speaks good English."
He gave me a nudge and I forgave him - for the moment. I could see
the twinkle in his mother's eye as she smiled at me.
"Madame, it is my pleasure to be here," I said as I had heard that
said by visitors to my mother and to my aunts. "I will try to speak with
good grammar and syntax though I have heard Martin say 'different to' and
his brother did correct him." I got another nudge, a smile from Madame
Johnson and as I stepped back I made sure I gave Martin my own nudge with
an elbow. It was now Alain's turn.
"Maman, Master Robin Goodhew is a fellow pupil in Mr Martin's class
and he is more than a good friend for he has helped me with that fellow
Euclid!" he said most clearly. Robin was led forward and bowed as Madame
Johnson held out a hand and he touched her fingers.
"Madame, it is my pleasure to be here as well and both Alain and
Martin have vaulted over the Asses' Bridge and its consequences with little
help," he pronounced as he, too, bowed and stepped back.
There was more laughter and Madame Johnson whispered she did not know
asses had difficulty getting over bridges. There was one other to be
introduced. I did not know what would come. Lancelot led Jabez forward.
"Madame, Mr Bottom is accompanying us as my Uncle's confidential
clerk." he said. Nothing more was said as Jabez also bowed and touched
fingers with Madame Johnson.
"Mr Bottom, you are most welcome," she said and I could see that was
said with sincerity.
'Mister' Bottom would be questioned even further!
Madame held up a finger and one of the servants left the room. "We
shall take tea in the English way in thirty minutes which will give time
for you all to be shown your rooms." She said it with that captivating
smile which had come down a generation to her sons. We all bowed our heads
and followed Mr Johnson and the boys into the entrance hall. Two of the
servants were commanded to take Lancelot and Jabez to their rooms while
Martin and Alain guided Robin and me behind them up the wide staircase to
the upper floor. Alain explained that we would be in the bedroom next to
theirs if we did not mind sharing. We agreed and were shown to a large
room with a great bed in it and most enormous furniture around the walls.
Martin said that the furniture came from their mother's family home
when her parents had died but he did not know where or when. "There is
only Maman and Uncle Philippe," he concluded, "And us," added Alain,
wrinkling his nose.
They showed us that an ornate armoire hid the commode and another
opened with a pretty washbowl under the lid. They pulled the bell-rope and
two lads were summoned to bring hot water. As we washed our travelling
bags and chests were brought up. I had asked Martin what we should wear
for dinner and he said they would just have a black jacket with their
trousers. He had also said to come along to their room once we had washed.
The boys' room did not have all that heavy furniture. They grinned
and said it had been relegated to the attics and they hoped the ceilings
would not fall because of its weight. They had colourful smaller
tapestries showing hunting scenes on two of the walls. Alain said their
Uncle Philippe had given these to them for their tenth birthday. They also
showed us their fishing rods, most finely made, and two fowling pieces used
for hunting birds.
"We haven't hunted boar yet but Monsieur Cordevoir says he will take
us when we arrive back at Christmas," Martin said as he held up a tusk
which was among a mountain of debris on a side table. "We had this fellow
for our Christmas lunch one year!"
We heard then that Monsieur Cordevoir was a local landowner and a
friend of their father's who did good business with him as he bought
quantities of wine. Apparently he had a large family of six sons and three
daughters who, though mostly grown, still lived at home. We were told we
would, no doubt, meet Paul and Jean-Claude, the two youngest sons, for they
often came to dinner as they amused their mother with the gossip of the
village.
A gong was heard and we filed down to find Madame Johnson presiding
over a perfect English tea in the parlour with Lancelot and Jabez already
there. She said her husband was sorry but he had been called away, though
he would be back soon. The parlour was another large room also adorned
with tapestries but with numerous side tables and padded chairs. As we
supped it became clear that Madame Johnson had been born in England of
French parents and had spent much of her girlhood in a place called
Broadstairs on the coast. She told us she had met her husband at a ball in
London and Lancelot remarked it would seem a common occurrence as that was
how his parents had met as well. It was also clear that Mr Johnson was
somewhat older than Madame and had spent much time in France after the
defeat of Napoleon.
Of course, the reasons for our journey had to be rehearsed again. The
boys were smiling when Lancelot began the story of the poor Duc du Clermond
especially when he remarked he had been a military man. He said there was
some story that he had been embroiled in some plot against the leaders of
the Revolutionaries. The boys' expressions changed when Lancelot went on
to say he had been arrested with others and put to death by guillotine. A
friend had risked his own arrest by rescuing the head and had it preserved
and escaped to England with it. He became a Fellow of St Mark's College
and the head had remained in the College's keeping since his own death.
Lancelot did not dwell on any details of how the head was preserved nor of
its appearance but merely stated that his task was to return the head to a
suitable resting-place. The boys looked quite bewildered then.
"Is there no grave?" enquired Martin.
Lancelot shook his head. "There will not be one for him but there may
be a family monument though I fear that might be ruined. I would hope at
least to find a church where his last remains can be interred with due
solemnity."
Madame Johnson had listened intently to this but merely said her
husband would be of any assistance he could offer in such a sad task. She
did say then it was fortunate her own forbears had escaped or the same fate
might have befallen them though they were innocent of any crime other than
being members of the aristocracy.
The boys looked most solemn themselves but brightened when Lancelot
said another task was to find sources for several plants needed for the
distillation of the College liquor. He explained the receipt had been left
to the College by the Frenchman who had escaped being arrested. "Father
will be able to assist there," said Alain, "We have visited where they
distil a fine liquor from pears."
"That is a fine liquor but father says the best are those which the
monks made from many different plants," added Martin.
Lancelot was nodding. "I would say that is the form of the liquor we
have at St Mark's. I have a list of near fifteen plants and herbs but no
real knowledge of where they may be found. The keeper of the Botanic
Garden in Cambridge has given me suggestions which I must discuss with your
father."
Jabez had been silent so far but now looked at me and smiled. "Dr
Lancelot has two other tasks as well," he said. Lancelot laughed and held
up his cup which a servant took to Madame Johnson and she refilled it.
When that was completed Lancelot looked at me and then at Robin.
"Those other tasks are to find relatives of my cousins, Tom and
Robin," he said indicating us with his cup. He took a sip. "First, we
have intelligence that there has been a recent marriage, perhaps in Paris,
and then, when travelling down before we reach Clermont, there may be
others in a village called Riom."
I then had to say my piece about how my Grandmama had come from France
some fifty years ago and had married my Grandfather Crossley. Madame
Johnson was delighted with this. "I hope your quest is successful," she
said, "There is no one left of our family except my brother and myself."
She looked at her sons. "But I forget there are these vagabonds!"
There was a joint 'Maman!" and more laughter.
Our tea was now finished and Madame instructed her sons to see we were
not neglected until dinner at eight o'clock. Lancelot and Jabez went off
together discussing some weighty matter, no doubt. However, it did not
seem that Jabez was forward in making that statement about the other tasks.
Madame and the boys had accepted him as more than a mere servant. He had
spoken out without hesitation and had not been reprimanded by Lancelot.
Our Jabez was rising in our society! I knew we could not josh him on this
but... ...Questions!
With the boys we toured the outside of 'le propri‚t‚', the
estate as I understood it. Behind the house there were some fields, one
fenced with sheep in it, and then woodland. They explained the woodland
adjoined Monsieur Cordevoir's much larger domain but they kept away as
there were traps set for poachers and thieves. We were shown a horrific-
looking mantrap hanging inside one of their barns similar to those which
were kept ready at Careby Hall.
Later in our bedroom as we prepared ourselves for dinner Robin
remarked how he found Martin and Alain to be most friendly and was looking
forward to whatever might befall us in their company. He asked if I had
noted that for each sentence or question from Martin the next would be from
Alain. "They are twins so must think alike," I said.
We tidied ourselves and put on our black trousers and jackets hoping
not to be too formal. The brothers rapped on our door and grinned when
they saw us. Alain bowed. "Voil... les deux milords anglaises!" We
laughed and then sneered at them for that compliment!
Madame Johnson was the only lady present at dinner. Lancelot was
placed on her right hand and I on the left. Mr Johnson at the other end of
the table had Robin and Jabez as his companions with the twins either side
in the centre. Aunt Fanny had warned us that the French had their own way
of serving meals and to watch our neighbours. There was no difference, I
thought, when a huge tureen of a flavoursome soup was brought in and
distributed except there was more of that delectable bread we had
experienced at luncheon. A big difference occurred when the main course
was brought in. Two large lamb cutlets were placed on each platter and a
buttery sauce was added. I noted that the plates were of fine decorated
porcelain but were cold whereas food such as this at Careby or at Ashbourne
was served on hot plates, though not as ornate. The cutlets were eaten
before a platter of two sorts of vegetables was brought in. One was of
long thin beans and the other a green vegetable I had never seen before but
found most tasty. Then there was a cheese course. A choice of four; all
of which looked quite different from any I had experienced at home in
England. Another red wine was served to accompany these. Finally, there
was an apple dish with what seemed like small sponge cakes surrounding it
and to our delight that went round twice! No one left the table as
platters were removed and we each then had a small glass of liqueur, which
if it resembled St Mark's Fire I could hardly wait to enter College!
Plans were then made for us to visit the tailor in Calais to be fitted
with light pantalons. We were advised also to buy a broad-brimmed hat each
to keep the sun off our eyes and that Rowley would need the
broadest-brimmed for driving the coach in full sunlight. Mr Johnson said
we must make sure we had flasks of good water in the coach because we would
become faint otherwise with the heat as we travelled southwards. He
advised that we only took water from streams coming down from heights
rather than from rivers. He did not know why but he always took care to do
this and never to drink water in any inn, only beer or, better still, cider
or wine. Lancelot was nodding sagely at this and, no doubt, he would
acquaint us with possible reasons. I conjectured that the rivers would
flow off fields where cattle or sheep had pissed or shat and who would want
a mouthful of that! Seeing turds floating in our river at home made us
glad of the pool by the side where we could swim without soiling ourselves.
Of course, there was the even dirtier River Thames!
There was still some light when we were accompanied by a young servant
to our room. Although he spoke French with an accent I could understand
him especially when he advised us not to have the windows open because of
the flying insects. That was no worry as the room was high and airy and
the evening sun was on the other side of the house. Of course, as we
settled in bed we had to rehearse even again the journey on the train, the
sea- crossing and the good welcome we had received. As a final comment
before we fell to a contemplation of our love for each other Robin
whispered "Jabez the gossip-monger as confidential clerk? Wait until I
have him by himself!" I whispered back that we would have to tread
carefully there for our Jabez was a coming man. Robin was smiling as he
kissed my cheek and Jabez was then forgot.
The sun was shining brightly through our windows when I woke in the
morning. Robin was already awake and was lying with his head up looking
down at me.
"Tom," he whispered my name, "You are just like the Italian boy in
that book Uncle Digby gave us." I smiled both at him naming Uncle Digby
for him as well as me but most of all because we had both gazed at the
depiction of that long-dead youth and had wondered what had become of him
as he grew to manhood. We had decided he had become an artist like the
painter who so faithfully had shown that expression on his face.
I leaned up as well and kissed his forehead. "Robin, you and I are
almost twins in years and all say we are alike in our looks so you, too,
are like that boy. I think we are alike in other ways and my dearest wish
is that we may continue to grow up together..."
My little speech was interrupted in the most loving way. With no more
words we bussed each other and, as the night before, shared each other's
most willingly offered seed and then lay quiet in stillness which no words
could describe.
That reverie was disturbed by noises in the outer passageway. We
moved apart as a knock was heard on the door. Robin called out 'Enter!'
and then remembering where he was added 'Entrez-vous!'. The two lads who
had brought us hot water the afternoon before brought in their pitchers.
We watched as they opened the lid of the washstand and poured some of the
water into the bowl. They bowed their heads and went from the room quickly
and silently. "A well-ordered house," Robin said with a grin as he slid
out of the bed. I was no slug and joined him. I saw there was new soap
and clean washcloths laid by the side of the bowl.
He was almost dancing from one foot to the other. "I need the commode
most urgently," he said and was trying to raise the lid. It was a moment
or two before we found there was almost a secret catch and the poor boy
near missed the pot. We did open the window then as both of us needed to
clear our bowels and the sweet-smelling soap was not enough to banish our
stench. As at home I noted there was a bunch of lavender in a pot. At
Careby we had but glazed earthenware but this was a finely crafted
porcelain vase with two handles and rustic scenes delineated in roundels on
the sides. Indeed, I was sure even my Aunt Fanny had nothing as fine as
this ornamenting her bedroom!
Once clean we had to decide on our clothing. We would wear the
trousers, shirts and jackets we had travelled in. We found the shirts and
stockings we had worn and discarded were missing so washing of our clothes
was being done. Others were found in our chests so we were soon ready for
our breakfast and ventured along the passageway to the twins' bedroom. Our
knock was responded to immediately as the door was opened and both were
already dressed. They were laughing as we found their plan was to creep in
on us expecting we would still be abed. We then learned that the usual
greeting in France whenever you met a friend or an acquaintance was to
shake hands. "It is our etiquette," said Martin.
They led us downstairs to the breakfast room which adjoined a large
kitchen. Both Lancelot and Jabez were already sitting there talking with
Mr Johnson who had a map spread on the table in front of him. We showed
our new-found etiquette and much to Mr Johnson's amusement we each shook
hands around as they stood but I did manage to give Jabez's hand quite a
squeeze.
Breakfast was more of those long white loaves, which we learned were
called 'baguettes', with creamy butter and a further selection of cheeses
together with thinly sliced cold meats called saucissons. I would have to
find out more about these as they were most tasty. Alain said they were
cut from specially prepared long sausages even larger than those we
purchased at Mr Thacker's shop. They were also different in that they were
not freshly made but cured with spices and hung in a cool place until
required like our hams. To quench our thirst there were jugs of sweet
cider and beakers of hot 'tisane' which Martin explained was like English
tea but made from an infusion of herbs. I saw Lancelot look at him on
hearing this. We needed to find where certain herbs were grown and here we
were sampling this most aromatic brew.
Decisions were made that we would be taken to Calais to be fitted with
our pantalons and make any other purchases needed before we reached Paris.
Neither Lancelot nor Jabez wanted these extra garments. They were assured
the linen suits would be cool enough but Robin and I wanted to be dressed
like the twins. We left Lancelot and Jabez still talking to Mr Johnson and
Jabez was making notes I assumed about the route we would be taking.
On arrival in Calais Alain told the coachman we would walk and he
should wait for us. I noted he gave the young man a couple of coins.
'Pour un boisson' he said, then smiled realising he was speaking to us in
French. I knew the word for 'drink'! The centre of the town was full of
small dark houses though there were some large houses and the H"tel de
Ville in one wider street. Any shops we saw were small and some had stalls
on the pavement. I was captivated by one selling mainly fruits which were
laid out so artistically in punnets and small wicker baskets and one could
smell them as we passed. We did not dally as the boys wanted to get to the
tailor's shop which had only a small window in which was a bare notice of
his trade and three pairs of gloves. Inside it was quite different. There
were two rooms and two tailors sitting cross-legged on low tables and busy
stitching. An elderly gentleman was fitting a boy with a jacket so we
stood back and waited until he was satisfied that the jacket was correct.
I did not understand much of his conversation as he spoke to the lad but I
heard him say that he should wait until his mother, votre maman, should
return.
We let Alain explain what we wanted and Robin and I were soon measured
and four pairs of pantalons were displayed and we were shown two
curtained-off little rooms where we could try their fit. All four needed
the legs to be shorted a little as they were made that way so Alain said.
We would return in an hour and they would be ready. We had been given some
francs by Lancelot which we passed to Martin who paid for them. With that
time to wait we would be able to find the hatter's which Martin knew was on
a corner. The twins said the best were made of a very fine straw and could
be folded. These were more expensive than the ordinary straw hats but we
had money to spend!
We then wandered almost to the dockside and saw a sailing boat which
had just arrived. There were few passengers and Alain said there would be
goods in the hold and if it was the 'Esmeralda' then his father was
expecting a consignment of cottons from the London docks. These would have
been landed there from India. Martin ran forward and returned with the
news that it was that very ship so he would be able to report the knowledge
to their father.
Our clothes were ready and waiting and both Robin and I thanked
Monsieur Georges in French and he smiled and bowed his head. Of course, we
then needed suitable belts and the twins took us to a saddler's where two
were bought in a trice. I remarked that I was quite aware that when boys
were taken to shops their choices did not take long for Branscombe
complained he was always kept waiting when accompanying his sisters. "We
must be thankful we are not encumbered by such creatures," said Martin with
a smile.
As we passed that fruiterers again Alain was looking at a basket of
strawberries. "Our mother is most fond of these," he said. I stepped
forward and gave him sufficient coins to buy them as a gift. I know they
were only a centime or so but when we presented Madame Johnson with them
she was delighted.
There was more of the house and barns to explore after luncheon. We
were taken down into large cellars which took up all the space below the
house where many barrels of wine were kept ready for their contents to be
shipped to England. This resolved the puzzle why the kitchen was not below
as in the big houses in England. The twins explained their father was a
keen businessman and trusted so he traded back and forth between here and
England having many orders for goods from Paris as well as London. This
was made most clear as the barns were more like warehouses and contained
boxes and crates of many different articles from silks and satins to
ornamental lamps and sets of delicate porcelain plates and tea things.
Even as we watched so two wagons from Calais came to the back of the
barns but we did not see the contents for we were called to take tea again.
We heard that evening at dinner we would be leaving in the morning for
our journey to Paris. Lancelot had already sent a letter by the fast mail
coach to warn his friends of our approach and Madame Johnson said we were
to visit her brother on Monday at his house, l'h"tel Roanne, in the Rue de
Varenne. It was then we found her brother had a title. He was 'Monsieur
le comte de Roanne'. Madame was laughing as she told us this and the twins
were grinning. "It is nothing," she said, "We had land and forests some
hundred or so years ago but I have never been to Roanne and my brother made
the journey once. He said there are ruins and a hideous memorial in a
church but that is all."
"But, my dear," Mr Johnson said, "You are 'Madame la comtesse' and I
believe these two can claim to be 'Monsieurs le comte' in their turn."
There was much explanation then about the Revolution and, how to
escape the slaughter, aristocrats fled the country as did the Frenchman who
had been at St Mark's. Madame said her great-grandparents and grandparents
had gone to Switzerland and then to England. That was how she was born
there and brought up in that seaside place as others had joined them. "We
were not poor as they were able to take all their money and jewellery with
them though their houses and property were confiscated and much destroyed.
It was only after Napoleon was proclaimed Emperor we returned. My father
had connections with the Army and the property in Paris and some woodlands
near Roanne were returned and my brother and I inherited all that when our
parents died."
We found then that inheritance laws in France were different than in
England. All the children shared the inheritance equally so Madame also
owned half the house in Paris and the country property which would pass
through her to Alain and Martin. In fact, her brother had never married so
had no children which meant the twins would inherit his share as well.
As they escorted us upstairs at bedtime Martin said he was not
interested in titles but his uncle had to play his part in Society in Paris
and they liked to visit him as he was a great collector. We found out no
more as each of us was yawning and we had two and a half days journey to
make starting at eight o'clock in the morning.
At breakfast there were two other lads present already eating
heartily. Both were older than us about seventeen and eighteen I guessed.
Martin and Alain rushed forward and handshakes were given and received.
These were the two Cordevoir boys we had heard about. Both were short and
stocky and dressed in britches and short smocks. The elder, Paul, had a
black patch over one eye and the younger one, Jean-Claude, had the top of a
finger missing on his left hand. They had no English and quite strong
accents so some tale of a hunt was just about lost on us. However, they
were lively lads and the twins said they were great friends to have though
they lived dangerously! They were most impressed when Martin talked of our
proposed journey. Both had been as far as Paris on one of Mr Johnston's
carts but that was enough for them. From their expressions and the way
they waved their arms about I knew they felt the same about city folk as
did their fellow country lads in England. "Les grands voleurs" was one
repeated phrase we understood. "Thieves and vagabonds" was the cry we
knew!
Having had our fill at breakfast the six of us assembled on the steps
down to where the large coach waited for us. Dear Rowley was sitting on
the box with Claude and the younger lad, Pierre, was standing on the back
step. All three had whipped off their matching wide-brimmed hats as we
appeared. Mr Johnson solemnly shook hands with each of us and gave his
sons a hug as well. He was laughing as we clambered into the coach and as
we set off called out "Bon voyage!"
We soon joined an excellent well-paved road which Lancelot said was
one of the good things which Napoleon had done for France. We would find
the roads superior to most in England. Most would travel along for
distances as straight as possible and shaded by trees. Napoleon had them
designed for the rapid movement of troops. Martin said this was true about
the better roads as they always felt much more shaken when travelling in
England. Robin said they could now take a train from Dover to London so
time was spent describing that experience.
We stopped at inns at eleven and again at three and the plan was to
reach a recommended 'auberge' in a village called Nouville before a town
named Abbeville to stay the night. This we did reach easily by just after
six o'clock. We strolled around the village to ease our limbs but again it
was not possible to get Jabez on his own to question him. We could not do
that on the coach as it would appear rude and impertinent and Lancelot and
Jabez now seemed almost joined at the hip! Still there was time!
Dinner that night was 'rustique' as Alain said with a grin. However,
it was most substantial being a main course of roasted rabbit with cheese
to follow, all washed down with strong cider. This cider was indeed strong
for we went to our beds soon after yawning and rubbing our eyes. Robin and
I shared with the twins and were almost lost in a feather bed which caused
howls of laughter for Martin complained he felt he was drowning. It was
interesting that Jabez shared a room with Lancelot.
Our second day took us to the city of Amiens where we stayed for an
hour or so and took luncheon. The old cathedral looked quite ruinous
though it and the abbey must have looked most grand in times past. Each of
us took time either on the box with the coachmen or on the seat at the back
with our postillion but if in the coach we dozed or played at backgammon
with anyone not sleepy. Another stop was made at Beauvais and it was
decided we might reach Beaumont and Le Grand Cerf for our overnight stay.
We reached there nigh on eight in the evening and though the inn seemed
quite crowded we were accommodated readily by the mention of Mr Johnson's
name! Another roast, this time a capon, and two glasses of red wine and
another with the cheese set us ready for our beds. This inn was most
superior and Alain remarked it was the one they always stayed at on their
visits to Paris.
Our journey the next day was quite short, some thirty miles by
Lancelot's calculation and we arrived just on midday at a substantial house
in St Denis which had a sign by the front door 'Dr Armand Duvallier,
M‚decine'. Lancelot was first off the coach as we stopped. The front
door opened and Lancelot was enveloped in a great hug by a man of his age
who must be his friend. We were all quickly off the coach and introduced
to Dr Duvallier who merely shook hands with us but with a most welcoming
smile.
We found Dr Duvallier had little English but his French was clear and
neither Robin nor I had too much difficulty in understanding him. The twins
took charge of Jabez and we heard them giving a translation of what Armand,
as we were instructed to call him, was saying.
We had not stopped for sustenance since leaving Beaumont just after
eight in the morning. No worries! We were led into a room with doors open
onto a large garden where a cold repast was served to us. We were
introduced to an older man, Armand's father, who was also a doctor and was
a teacher in the medical faculty of the Sorbonne so had the title
Professeur. He was so pleased to see Lancelot again who had been a student
with his own son. Without any more ado Lancelot asked him a question. Our
first quest was almost over. Yes, he knew of a student whose name was
Jacques Fontane. Yes, he was married to a most charming English young
lady. Yes, he knew there was a son and he was almost sure there would be
no problem in meeting the family. Jacques had already gained his Licence
and would complete his Doctorat de M‚decine later this year so he said.
He was sure they lived near the rue des Ecoles where the medical faculty
had its lecture and dissecting rooms. A messenger would be sent to the
College to find the address. Lancelot explained that as Jacques had his
Licence he could take patients. He had also obtained a Licence here as
well as at Leiden but his own Doctor of Medicine degree had been granted
finally by the University of Edinburgh.
On this fine afternoon we boys took a stroll into the town leaving
Lancelot and Armand talking together and Jabez being shown a large aviary
of colourful birds by the elder doctor. Another chance to question our
'senior clerk' was missed.
In the town we found a busy market in front of the huge church of St
Denis which also seemed to be in as ruinous a state as others we had
encountered on our way. We were told by a young man selling sweetmeats
that the church was the burial place of kings and queens of France though
none still remained in their tombs since the Revolution. I did not know if
he was sad or happy that all had been desecrated as he seemed much more
interested in the coins passed to him for some of his goods by Martin. An
older man with a stall with cages of live chickens said it now being
restored and the 'Emperor' had decreed it should be rebuilt and there had
been some more recent burials. A man by his side said something about
France had a king nowadays and we left them as they set to arguing who or
which was better.
We could not enter the edifice but there was much scaffolding and
stone ready for the masons. Robin said it was a type of limestone most
probably from this area and looked of good quality. Martin and Alain had
learned of Robin's upbringing after that wonderful jape where he had
impersonated me in Mr Martin's class. They had accepted him for who he was
and now he was able to display his knowledge of stone and its properties to
which we all paid close attention. He also commented on the building work
already done and said, to his eye, it did not follow a symmetrical pattern
as at St Paul's in London. Of course, the wedding then had to be described
once again!
As the Professor's wife had died and Armand was not married they had a
housekeeper to keep their residence in order. She was quite short and
stout and bustled around making sure the servants kept us supplied with
cool glasses of lemonade when we returned from our viewing of the town and
the church. Neither Lancelot nor Jabez were present until dinner was
served and we learned we boys would be taken into Paris in the morning to
be given a tour of the city with Lancelot as our guide. It would be Sunday
so we would not be able to visit any of the monuments or galleries for they
would be closed but there was much to see and we would be ready to return
on Monday for a closer inspection.
It was that night for the four of us were to share a bed that our
greater friendship with Martin and Alain was sealed. As in the inns we had
stripped off all our clothes to ready ourselves to wash then don our
nightgowns. Again, there was much barging and pushing when getting to the
bowls of water. Alain had already pissed rather noisily into the
chamberpot and his brother had called out he should make sure he shook his
'carotte' so he did not stain his nightshirt with the drips: 'ne laisser
tombez pas les gouttes'. Both Robin and I must have thought of a different
shaking and staining as Robin snickered and said I most often starched my
nightshirt. As he was naked I turned and held him round the chest and got
him to the bed where I set to tickling him. The twins were laughing at
this and thinking I was punishing Robin for divulging my misdemeanour Alain
held up Martin's nightgown where there was clear evidence of his own
self-pollution. Martin had Alain beside Robin in a trice and was making
him squeal and squirm until four of us were rolling on the bed with hands
and fingers fully employed on whosoever's body was nearest. We were
laughing as we finally stood each displaying our erect young manhoods.
Although they were older, both Robin's and mine matched those of the twins
in all dimensions. It was with just a moment's hesitation that I with
Alain and Robin with Martin soon brought our companions to spurting,
gushing conclusions. With arms then around shoulders we bussed each other
on the cheeks, then on the lips and held each other until 'after a
breather', as Martin said later, we exchanged partners and in that circle a
second offering of full friendship joined the first.
As our laboured breathing returned to normal we, with no heed to
cleaning spattered torsos and legs, clambered into bed still naked and
holding each other we bussed again and slept. We woke almost together, I
and Robin between the outer pair. Alain was singing quietly. I did not
know the words but when he finished he said it was an old French chanson
which told of undying love between friends, of Roland and Oliver. Martin
then said they had both wondered of our companionship and confessed that he
and Alain had enjoyed their joint pleasuring from even before they had
spurted their first young juices. We heard that the Cordevoir pair had
shown them their own prowess so that when they had joined Ashbourne as
Whelps of twelve they were well versed in boyish pleasures but had only
shared with another pair who now also occupied their room in their House.
We were quite truthful with them and said there had been no others at
Ashbourne than ourselves though we had found a quiet place to be together
which amused them. They knew that in Ridley House the sleeping
arrangements were different from those in other Houses in that two older
boys had their fag sleeping in the same room. We also acknowledged that,
like them, we had learned from those older, but we did not say that one who
was our most-trusted mentor had been Jabez! Martin was quite open in his
admitting that they had hoped we would not be puritanical like Megson who
was in their House and was also our classmate in Mr Martin's room. Robin
said he had been surprised how silent he was with Mr Martin whereas he was
always most vehement in his opinions in Mr Ridley's discussions. They said
they suffered as Megson made a point of calling them as fags when he
required something. 'Two are better than one' he always told them. It was
then I found they were all in Prior's House and that Megson was always
exhorting them to pray to keep themselves from the Devil's urges. We
laughed together at that and chatted together until two of the younger
servants brought us hot water.
Armand, Lancelot and Jabez were already in the room opening onto the
garden and eating their breakfast. We were twitted as being late risers
but Martin said we only slept late to preserve our beauty. This had to be
translated for Armand who remarked 'la beaut‚ c'est ... fleur de peau',
but did say ours probably went even deeper and we had many years before we
lost it.
Madame Durand, the housekeeper came in muttering and carrying two long
loaves. Apparently the baker's oven had been faulty so the hot, new bread
had only just been fetched by the kitchen-boy. It was strange that even on
Sunday the baker's shop was open for fresh just-baked bread. Bread was
always bought new, sometimes twice a day, but old bread was never wasted.
It was used in many ways so Armand said. Lancelot added that he knew it
could thicken soups or be made into croutons to place in soup as we had
experienced at the Johnson house.
When we finished our repast I saw our coachman, Claude, come into the
garden. Jabez stood and excused himself and, picking up a small leather
valise, went out and followed Claude, I assumed, to the stable-yard.
Before either Robin or I could ask anything Lancelot held up an admonitory
finger which we knew meant we had to be silent. The others did not make
any comment and our conversation went on.
We had to listen carefully as Armand and Lancelot discussed where the
coachman should take us. Martin and Alain were to be in charge as Lancelot
said he had much to discuss with Armand and would not be accompanying us as
we had thought. A list of directions in Paris was quickly drawn up and the
twins nodded and said they knew all the places mentioned. We would take
roads through the villages of St Ouen, Clichy, Levallois and Neuilly so
that we entered Paris by the Porte Maillot. This meant we could stop and
inspect the Arc de Triomphe before traversing the Avenue de
Champs-Elys‚es to the Place de la Concorde. We could then drive along
the quais bordering the River Seine towards the Ile de la Cit‚, with the
cathedral of Notre Dame in sight, then cross the river at the Pont Neuf.
Our journey back would be along the Seine again to the bridge leading to
the Place de la Concorde and on to the church called La Madeleine which
would take us to the road passing through the Porte de St Ouen and the road
back here. Leaving by nine o'clock we should return by two in the
afternoon for luncheon and after pour faire jouer de volant! Battledore
and shuttlecock!
The twins were as excited as we were when we entered the Professor's
coach. His coachman seemed quite elderly to us with his grey beard but one
of the younger servants was also on the box with him. This must have been
a familiar journey for him as we lost no time in taking the country roads.
It seemed that new building was taking place in all directions. Alain said
that the Revolution and the wars that followed had caused the destruction
of so much. It was only after King Louis-Philippe had taken the throne
that all was now being repaired and many new houses built. The old
villages would disappear into the growing suburbs for this was also
happening in London and other great cities. Alain thought he would like to
train as an architect after his time at university as he knew that was a
worthwhile occupation. Martin said he was undecided what he might do but
might join Alain and do the same.
As it was a Sunday there was no heavy traffic such as carts carrying
goods so our progress was swift. We reached the Porte Maillot and Alain
said that Paris was surrounded by some thirty-seven or so gates which had
been the guarded entry points for the city. As we passed this site so a
long straight road stretched before us with a white marble arch in the near
distance. This was the Arc de Triomphe and though Napoleon has planned its
construction it had only been completed under the present monarch. Our
coachman stopped as we reached the arch and said we should look carefully
at the sculptures which adorned its sides. We found it was also possible
to walk inside the structure though it was dark and not lit. However, an
old crone, for the reward of a centime or two, recited the names of battles
and victories portrayed which meant nothing to me. What was most pleasing
was the sight of that straight road with many new houses and fine buildings
still being constructed to the west of the great arch. As we drove along
there were numerous small restaurants with people sitting outside around
tables enjoying a glass of wine or a dish of tea. Alain corrected me when
I remarked on this and said the preferred drink was coffee and perhaps we
would like to sample some as he was thirsty. This was my first experience
of that beverage though I knew of the coffee-houses in London and thought
it somewhat preferable to that strange tea we had placed before us at my
Aunt Fanny's.
We only tarried a short while as Martin wished to continue or we would
be late for our return. However, it was as we gathered pace towards the
Place de la Concorde my attention was drawn to another restaurant and I
recognised two familiar figures. One, in his fine black jacket and striped
trousers was no less than our Mr Jabez Bottom, the other, in a similar
garb, was that absentee from London, Mr Mysterious Tuckwell!
To be continued:
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