Date: Sun, 11 May 2014 17:48:40 +0100
From: Jo Vincent <joad130@gmail.com>
Subject: Tom Browning's Schooldays Ch 80
Tom Browning's Schooldays
By
Joel
Chapter Eighty
Terence smiled at George who was showing unnecessary apprehension in my
opinion. However, before either of us could say anything, a coachman came
striding from the direction of the stables to the side.
"Oh, Michaeljohn, where's my father?" George called out as he
dismounted.
"His Lordship's indoors, Master George," was the terse reply as the
stocky figure flicked his whip towards the back entrance of the Hall. He
turned to the four horses which had drawn the coach and were standing
patiently. For him they were more important than his employer's youngest
son!
The rest of us dismounted and led our steeds around the coach just as
Bobby Brewer and two grooms appeared accompanied by a younger version of
the coachman. Bobby instructed the grooms to take our reins and all three
led our mounts away. The young man bowed his head to us and then to
George.
George acknowledged the bow and gave his own greeting. "John, you
drove with your father, eh?"
He bowed his head again. "Aye, sir, and me brither Michael was on't
rear." He pointed to the back entrance. "He be wi' Mr Foljambe tekking
in't baggage."
We were already almost at the door when it struck me. The coachman's
name was Michaeljohn, One son was John and the other Michael. John
Michaeljohn and Michael Michaeljohn? George was not to be questioned now
as Benjy was at the door. He bowed his head.
"Sirs, his Lordship is with Mr Browning in the study."
Terence was in charge. He turned to George. "I doubt if they should
be disturbed. Let us make ourselves presentable, eh?" We were a mite
dusty and I more than needed the water closet. The tankards of ale were
ready to be passed!
George nodded and we made our way indoors to discard our riding cloaks
and hats. There was no discussion as we went upstairs with George and
Francis going to their room accompanied by Benjy who said the twins had
been instructed to bring hot water up to us all. Terence had disappeared.
Most probably to see our mother before going to his room.
I was first in the bedroom and commandeered the jakes with Robin
laughing and waiting his turn. He had also noted the names and we knew
there must be some history of interest in the naming. The twins came
scurrying in with a pitcher each. "We have to take one to the other room,"
they announced almost simultaneously. There were others in the passageway.
I surmised a room was being prepared for George's father.
"How does one address a lord?" asked Robin as he cast off his jerkin
and riding britches and lathered his face and arms.
I shrugged my shoulders. "I have no idea," I said. "I was with my
father when I was at some Horse Fair and there was a lord there but father
called him by a surname and he called father Browning. We must wait and
see."
The waiting was not long. We were ready in our day clothes when Benjy
and Eamonn came to fetch us with George and Francis also tidily dressed in
tow. Francis said he would rather not be present with us for no doubt
George's father wished to discuss the happenings. We had given Francis the
gist of the tale during our journey and he was quietly in awe of all we had
told him. Eamonn took him to the Library just as Terence appeared, still
in his riding clothes, and we made our way to the study. There was an
introduction to be made to begin with for Benjy was at the door and
announced 'The Honourable George Lascelles' with a strong voice worthy of
any major-domo. He had no sooner said that than George was enveloped in a
hug, much to his amazement I was sure, by someone who could only have been
his sire. His father, though well on in age, had a mane of white hair but
the same eyes, nose, mouth and chin as our George and his brother Geoffrey.
"My boy," I heard him cry, "You are safe and sound!"
We were then introduced as soon as George was released. Terence was
first and we noted he said 'Sir' in his response. Both I and Robin
received broad smiles and a hearty handshake and our story was unfolded
once more.
Lord Harford knew all the details. Uncle Digby must have written to
him with all the particulars. He was so sincere when he said the waifs and
Timmy, especially, would be recompensed for the ordeal they had been
through. He asked where Timmy was and Benjy, very politely, informed him
that he was already back in the garden seeing that all was well with his
herbs and other plants. My father knew of Mr Mead the apothecary's offer
and added that Timmy wished to be apprenticed to a Cambridge apothecary.
"That will be done," his Lordship declared. "I will stand as surety!
I will tell the boy myself."
He then wanted to know more about the waifs. My father nodded towards
me. I hoped I was clear and succinct when I said I was sure they were good
country boys who had fallen on hard times. I did say they had beautiful
singing voices and were well-schooled according to my Aunt Digby Wright who
had their welfare at heart.
"They will have only the best for whatever they need," was his
Lordship's straightforward response to my statement.
George then spoke up. He praised both Robin and me on our enterprise
in setting off to London so quickly. He said quite forthrightly that he
was well-rid of his evil cousin and that he knew the value of true friends.
He wanted to make amends in his life for the wrongs done to others by that
other part of the family and to serve his country to the best of his
ability.
His father looked at him steadily as he made his avowal. "You will
have your commission," he said firmly. "Your brother Geoffrey is adamant
you should have it and letters from Sir William Browning and Sir Digby
Wright give that opinion as well." He smiled. "The Reverend Ridley has
had a good word for you, too. A good leader he says, even of the young.
You could be a schoolmaster without too much expense!"
There was laughter all round at that. Lord Harford had a sense of
humour and that lightened our conversation from then on. We heard his
Lordship would spend one more day at Careby Hall for he wished to inspect
the main stable before continuing his journey to London. My father seemed
most happy. That visit to the stable could only mean more fine hunters
would find their way north!
We left his Lordship and my father deep in conversation and found a
little sustenance in the breakfast room for dinner that evening would be
substantial according to Benjy. Francis was already there and had to be
told what had transpired. As this tale finished so Terence said he must go
and wash and change and we had better be in our best clothing for the
dinner. George said his father was never one for great formality and would
not expect any undue pomp and ceremony. Robin looked over at Terence. "I
would suggest not too much of that braid for I swear I saw a tassel dip in
the soup at our last dinner in London!" Terence sneered and mouthed
'Wretch!'and flicked his hand at his nephew as he left the room. I said it
was always good to keep our elders on their toes which made Francis laugh
but caused George to threaten me with dire reprisals once we were back at
Ashbourne. It was my turn to sneer though I did raise my eyes to Heaven
and clasped my hands as if in prayer to ask forgiveness for my quip.
Robin then asked about the coachman and his sons. This was quite a
story. Sometime in the past identical twin foundlings had been discovered
in the church porch. As no one knew their names and the church was
dedicated to St John so one was called John and as they were discovered on
the twenty-ninth of September, Michaelmas, so the other was named Michael.
Being identical no one seemed to be able to tell them apart and whichever
one appeared was always greeted as 'Michaeljohn'. One died young but the
name stuck to the other and became the surname. Each generation had at
least two boys, one of whom would be John and the other Michael. It so
happened only one family now had the surname and the father and the two
sons were, as their forebears had been, in service to the Lascelles family.
We found from George that the father had charge of him and his
brothers for their riding when they were young and also each had to care
for their own steeds under his direction. He looked at Robin. "I am
well-accustomed to shovelling shit from the stable so can match you, young
sir, in that enterprise!" This puzzled Francis who did not know of Robin's
earlier life at Ashbourne and was most complimentary for George told that
tale with no embellishment but with sincere praise for all Robin's
endeavour.
We assembled for dinner that evening with the three Dodds attending as
well. Lord Harford was most amused when the two younger Goodhews and John
Harrison appeared with Philip and John in their best London jackets and
coloured trousers. We heard that Steven Goodhew had been called to inspect
another fallen arch in an ancient church and Jenny had travelled with him
for it was the same village in which her younger sister lived. James was
more content in joining his brother and John in their room in the Hall.
His Lordship was most impressed for Philip had obeyed Terence's command and
produced a fine pencil head and shoulders portrait of him in his undress
uniform for our mother. "None of that braid," I heard Robin whisper to
George who had to stifle a giggle.
We heard that Timmy had been called from the garden to be examined by
Lord Harford who had been most impressed by his deportment and bearing and
had reiterated his promise to stand as surety for his apprenticeship which
might start in earnest this September. When Aunt Matty Dodd heard again
about the waifs and their singing ability she said that they needed to be
in a good choir and the choir and school for the boys at St Mark's College
was judged to be very fine. With Timmy also in Cambridge they would not be
wanting for a close-by friend. She would consult both with Erasmus and her
sister Fanny. Knowing my aunts and their determined manner I felt this
might be a fait accompli! His Lordship added that whatever it might cost
he, again, would stand surety. There was some laughter when I said we had
been promised 'expenses' but his Lordship made it clear that he would be
meeting Sir Robert as soon as possible and would press for prompt payment
of an agreed sum. He smiled and said "Leave it to me.".
When the dinner gong sounded Philip and James Goodhew led my mother
and Aunt Matty into dinner and there was quite a procession of males, from
old to young, who followed. My father relinquished his place at the head
of the table to Lord Harford who had George on one side of him and my Aunt
Matty on the other. My father and Uncle Dodd sat opposite each other in
centre places and the rest of us sat either side of them with Francis and
John Harrison flanking my mother at her end of the table. Mrs Gray
surpassed herself over this dinner with a game soup as the first course
with a fish dish as the first entr£Æ. The main course was roast
suckling pig with an apple and herb stuffing which caused gasps of
admiration when it was carved by Mr Clements. I could see George was quite
astounded at the sumptuousness which must have been in honour of his
father. All prepared so quickly! What we boys had not known was the
message received by the express mail the afternoon before that his Lordship
would be arriving today! It had been at the orders of my father that we
were not told of this. It was to make sure we were all out of the way and
not, as he put it, 'cluttering the place up'! We could only forgive him
for we were then provided with a choice of three puddings and tarts with
fresh cream or fruit syrups to accompany them.
The young boys retired from the table when the last covers were
removed as did my mother and Aunt Matty. The older gentlemen, including
George, had a pipe of aromatic tobacco with the port. Terence, though
smoking, had his ornate snuff box with him and Francis, Robin and I all had
a pinch which Terence said cost him threepence a snout for that privilege.
Robin retorted that he would gather some nettles to dry and ask Lancelot to
grind them in his pestle and mortar to replace double the amount Terence
had given away and only charge him sixpence anytime for it. I think George
wondered what his father might make of such forwardness of a youngster but
his Lordship was smiling at that and averred he was sure he had smoked a
few pipes of dried weeds in his time. Lancelot said he had often wondered
who had first found out the calming effect of tobacco leaves when smoked
and who had also first made an infusion of tea leaves. Robin was again
forward and said it must have been a very brave Frenchman who had decided
to eat the first snail. We had to tell then of our journey to France which
somehow kept everyone amused until it was time to go to bed. His Lordship
was accompanied upstairs both by Mr Clements and his smartly liveried valet
Foljambe.
At no time during the evening were we or Terence able to mention the
Templar farm. Any discussion would have to wait until his Lordship's
departure. There was no discussion of it later for Robin were intent on
enjoying each other's love and affection as soon as we were in our bed.
Though tired from a day's riding and the lengthy meal and conversation we
found the strength to provide each other with two outpourings of that
divine essence which we knew sealed our devotion and commitment. We woke
early and once again shared that outpouring of affection for each other.
George was closeted with his father for much of the morning and then
both went with my father and Terence to the main stable. Francis had been
intrigued when he heard that Robin and I both played the organ so we went
along to the church and he happily pumped the bellows for us as we played.
He was most complimentary about our efforts and as Robin pumped he changed
the stops for me. He had not seen inside the workings of an organ so as he
peered in we demonstrated the different sorts and lengths of pipes which
amused him greatly. We then showed him the various memorials around the
walls with the ornate Varley monument being the largest. We did not
divulge that we had a drawing of a vital part of the person commemorated on
one of the smaller plaques by the person recorded on the plaque beside it.
We noted that a beginning had been made for the fixing of a new carving
under them. The Squire must have been persuaded to provide the money to
commemorate his father! Francis was most interested in the misericord
under the choir seat for he said their village church had been despoiled by
the Puritans who had burned the rood screen and ornamented choir seats and
knocked the heads off the carvings of angels in their zeal to rid the
building of its Romish adornments. I nodded at Robin when he said this for
we could surprise him with our Priest's Hole in the Hall. We would have to
get Mr Clements' permission as he held the key to the cellar.
Of course, we had to tell him of Philip's hand in its discovery and he
was amazed again at the lad's involvement in so many things. Luckily, the
boys were in the Library when we returned to the Hall and Mr Clements was
most affable and said he would accompany us into the cellar. Two sconces
of candles were prepared and down we went. A great deal of the lumber had
been taken away. Mr Clements said a good number of the village folk had
been supplied with chairs, settles and tables from the accumulated clutter
which had been distributed with my father's permission. He said the Rector
had found more old documents though he thought the rest of the rubbish
would make a fine bonfire.
Philip took Francis up the stairway to the upper rooms and he was
quite in wonderment when Robin told him of the persecution of the
Catholics. He said he had little knowledge of our history of that time
other than the destruction of Catholic imagery in the churches. I said we
should visit the Rectory and see some of my Uncle Dodd's old manuscripts.
Francis said he would be pleased to do that for he had been both astonished
and delighted with Lancelot's demonstrations of chemicals and if he was
there would relish more.
George did not reappear at lunch time so as soon as the cold cuts and
new bread was all finished we six walked to the Rectory and found Uncle
Dodd having his post-prandial doze as he called it. He did not mind being
disturbed and told Francis a deal of history which he said made sense of
what little he had heard before. While the discussion was taking place
Lancelot arrived back from visiting a patient at Essendine. He sat and
listened as his father showed Francis and us two old documents, one which
listed those men in the village who had been deemed 'able-bodied' in 1638
and the other those who could be called to the Militia in 1757. We noted
that several of the names in both were still held by village folk. We saw
Reeve in both and Uncle Dodd explained this was an old word for a bailiff
or steward in country districts. There were still families with that
surname in the village with one having the head of the household as a
bricklayer and the other as a carpenter. That set me thinking as I was
curious about my grandfather's origins. I did not dare raise it again as I
was aware there was some mystery which was not to be explored. At least
not now!
Lancelot then said he had watched the navigators preparing the cutting
ready for the laying of rails which would happen in the next few months.
They were constructing a bridge at Essendine and he was most complimentary
about the standard of the brickwork. "The railway will stay for
generations, I am sure," he declared. We vowed we would ride out to see
the building of this new addition to the landscape we knew. The delay
around the preparation at Careby concerned the siting of the halt and the
siding which Lancelot said it was called. Once that was decided on then
work could go ahead. Lancelot said there was much excitement in
Peterborough over the connection to the new lines already opened there
which would then go north. Uncle Dodd said there was some dissension in
Stamford because there was no plans for a line there to the north for a
landowner had forbidden the sale of part of his property.
We walked from the Rectory into the village where we were greeted
cheerily by all we met. Francis was insistent on purchasing a selection of
sweetmeats for all of us which we munched happily as we made our way back
to the Hall. The three youngsters politely bid us farewell as Philip
wanted to show John Harrison the herb garden. We other three entered the
Hall but found the breakfast room empty. Benjy came in with an empty
teapot and said my father having returned from the stables was in the
Library with his Lordship. Being somewhat famished, even after the
sweetmeats, we sauntered along the passageway and found George was also
there but Terence was absent. We were beckoned in and when seated with a
pastry each found his Lordship to be most cordial in his manner. He knew
Viscount Marston, Francis's father, from his travels to London and the
Houses of Parliament. He said he had never travelled further abroad than
Edinburgh in Scotland and London in England. George looked puzzled.
"Father, I did not know you had been to Edinburgh," he said.
His father smiled. "My boy, it was more than twenty or so years ago.
I was commanded to go to wait on His late Majesty on his visit there. Your
grandfather was still with us but was too injured to attend after a fall
when hunting. I was a Captain in the Militia and was thought suitable to
go in his stead. It was a most grand occasion with many highlanders there
and King George at the big reception appearing in his kilt!"
Robin and I were smiling then. I was thinking of Farquar and Gordon
so arrayed and dancing on the swords. Robin was getting most forward.
"Sir, did you have to wear that garment, too?" he asked.
Lord Harford let out a roar of laughter. "My boy, I would not dare.
Those highlanders looked most fierce in their coloured plaids with daggers
and rough swords and many with feathered bonnets. I tell you I kept to the
back though I did sup well of the whisky." He looked at my father. "I
recommend that to you for it is an admirable remedy against the cold of
winter."
My father was nodding. "I have a bottle or two in the cellar. May I
offer you a reminder of that time before our dinner tonight?" Lord Harford
nodded vigorously.
"Browning, that would be most acceptable and from the questing looks
around I would say there's a young fellow or two who might be introduced to
that good water of life as those Scotchmen call it." None of the three of
us who had received a spot of Angus Gordon's potation said anything, even
George who had swallowed a good dram at Barbary's naming.
My father nodded to Mr Clements who was standing by the door. He said
something to Benjy before hurrying off. Benjy refilled our cups and we
were regaled with further tales of that time in Scotland. What was most
interesting was that his Lordship had met Sir Walter Scott who had
master-minded the whole occasion. We also heard that his Lordship was most
complimentary about the steeds he had seen today. I gathered my father had
orders for a round dozen of hunters as six were to be supplied to friends
of Lord Harford on his recommendation and the others were for him. Terence
was still with Mr Jarvis for he had orders to choose several hunters and
sturdy mounts for other officers at the barracks. Father would be
well-pleased at all this.
We boys, including George, politely made our exit when the talk turned
to horses and so left my father in deep conversation over the merits or
demerits of various particular breeds. I must admit I had little interest
in all those details and George also seemed a little bemused by all that
had been discussed at the stables. "I am content to ride a well-schooled
steed without knowing if its withers and fetlocks are from one line of
parentage or its well- proportioned rump is from another. Your father,
young Browning, outdoes my father in all that discussion and I do not wish
for all that knowledge."
We had stopped on the staircase while George delivered that diatribe.
Robin was smiling. "Master Lascelles, sir, I would say your mane owes
something to your father's parentage. Perhaps your well-proportioned
rump..." He got no further for George made a lunge at him and chased him
up the rest of the stairs and through the open door of our room where he
caught him and wrestled him over the bed. Francis and I were right behind
them and were standing laughing as George gave Robin a great tickling which
caused him to yell and holler. A rather worried-looking Eamonn peered
through the doorway and was soon accompanied by the young Goodhews and John
Harrison. Philip and James were brave souls seeing their big brother being
attacked so they rushed at George and he was soon spread- eagled on the bed
with all three Goodhews making sure he yelled and hollered, too. I held
onto John Harrison or he would have entered the good-natured fray as well.
At last with all the combatants laughing and squealing George managed
to sit up and hugged Philip and James who stopped their attempts at
tickling him. "I shall be sad to leave this place," he said with a great
smile at both. "I would hope to visit here again even though I am attacked
by the local Militia. At least that is how I would describe you with that
fighting spirit."
Robin was out of breath but struggled to sit up beside him. "Nay,
George, do not praise them so or the pair will raise a battalion of their
fellows in the village and no law- abiding citizen would sleep safe in
their beds..."
Philip gave dear Robin such a disdainful look. "...We were but
protecting you from his evil assault..." He put his arms round George's
shoulders. "...If you would be our Captain we would volunteer at once!"
"And me," said James. "And me," echoed John Harrison.
George just shook his head and grinned. His look of contentment then
showed he had loosened perhaps the final strand of that rope which had held
him to his past life and Black Jack. I knew he would make a good soldier
and leader of men. I may be only a boy but I was able to understand the
goodness and strength of his spirit. I had discerned that in his father
and Geoffrey as well.
With a deal of laughter the younger boys left us saying that Philip
had to finish his drawings for Mr Flaxman but I had also noted that he had
been studying George very closely.
Lord Harford was most appreciative of the tumbler of whisky which
Benjy handed him when we had assembled in the Library before dinner. I saw
my father looking as the bottle was rapidly emptying with Uncle Dodd,
Lancelot and Terence being supplied as well. Out of sight of his Lordship
he curled his lip at me when I held up my hand with fingers curled as if
holding the stem of a glass. We older boys received a small glass and an
added portion of clear water. I was glad that was so as I had remembered
the fiery taste of Angus Gordon's strong liquor but I felt this did not
equal the St Mark's Fire produced by the French monks.
It was while we were sipping and listening to even more descriptions
of the qualities of fine steeds and what was most desirable in their
dispositions that Philip Goodhew slipped from the room after whispering
something to my mother. She smiled having listened most stoically to all
the rather tedious discussion. Philip was soon back bearing the usual roll
of paper. He sat and waited until there was a gap in the conversation and
the last of the bottle replenished my father's, Lord Harford's and
Terence's glasses for at least the third time. Philip stood and bowed his
head towards his Lordship then marched over to where George was sitting on
a chesterfield next to Robin.
"I could not settle to drawing Mr Flaxman's water-closet," he said
most clearly which drew everyone's attention and a snort of laughter from
Uncle Dodd. "Please would you accept this with my compliments."
George took the proffered document and unrolled it. He stared at it
for a moment then smiled and held it up for all to see. We boys crowded
round to see it more closely then George stood and took it to the row of
grown-ups. I was amazed at what I had seen. It was the depiction of a
lion with flowing mane but with quite clearly George's face. Beside the
lion was the Union flag and a sketch of a large building behind which could
only be the Queen's Palace. George gave the page to his father who took an
eyeglass from a pocket and looked at the drawing very carefully. George
turned to Philip who had a rather worried look on his face not knowing what
George might do. He had no cause to worry for George enveloped him in a
great hug. "Philip, that is the kindest gift I could receive," he said and
the poor boy had almost his last breath squeezed from him!
As George let Philip breath again so his father beckoned Philip to
him. "My boy, you drew this?" Philip gave a slight nod. "In my Library I
have two drawings which my grandfather brought back from some city in Italy
when he returned from his Grand Tour. He said they were by a famous artist
whose name I cannot remember but this is as fine as they are. You must
come to Garthorpe and give me your opinion." Philip started back. "I mean
that, my boy." He held the sheet up and George took it from him. "And you
must treasure that," he said to his son. He put out a hand and took
Philip's right hand in his. "I can say I have held the hand of a true
artist." We could see his Lordship was quite sincere in what he said.
Philip stepped back when his hand was released. "Thank you, sir, I
draw what I must, but I must also learn more."
Philip then had to describe his days at the Royal Schools. He said,
with a smile at George, that he had visited the Zoological Garden and had
drawn several of the animals there. The lion had been a special favourite
as he and his fellows had sat quietly drawing and the king of the beasts
had laid down and looked as if he was studying them, too.
"I would say he was contemplating his next meal," Terence said and
grinned at Philip. Philip grinned back and I wondered what exotic creature
would be depicted with Terence's face. From those grins I knew there was a
rapport between the pair. This was confirmed later when I heard that
Terence had been charged by my Aunt Fanny to accompany Philip and John
Harrison on visits to the Tower and other places of interest in London
which he had willingly fulfilled.
It was time for us to contemplate our next meal for my mother nodded
at Mr Clements who went to sound the gong. Again our dinner was quite
sumptuous. A vegetable soup was followed by a dish of fresh trout with as
the main entr£Æ a tureen of rich jugged hare. This was most
substantial and needed no more grand courses to follow though a selection
of sweets and puddings did appear to complete the repast. The younger lads
looked well-fed as they left the table and bid the rest of us goodnight.
His Lordship was most kind and shook each by the hand with a special smile
for Philip. He said he would be leaving early in the morning for he wished
to be in London by early the next afternoon. "I have much to see and do,"
he said and smiled at George.
We did not stay long at the table after that other than for a glass of
port and the gentlemen to a pipe of tobacco. His Lordship then bid us
goodnight and gathered George, Robin and me to his side. "You three will
have your expenses," he said with a decided twinkle in his eye. "I will
see to that and a proper recompense for the others." We bowed our heads
and said our goodnights to the others.
Benjy preceded us up the stair with the usual sconce of candles.
There was no idle chatter as each of us was tired and more than well-fed.
George and Francis bid Robin and me goodnight as we entered our well-lit
room for Benjy was to be their valet and we would fend for ourselves.
Sleep was not to come too quickly for we had to share our love first.
We hardly spoke and then were soon soundly away in the arms of Morpheus
with no time or inclination to don our nightshirts.
We slept so deeply that neither heard the hot water arrive in the
morning. It was near half-past eight when we roused ourselves and had to
blame the whisky for our tardiness. It would seem the household was also
slow in coming to life. Eamonn was in the breakfast room and said that his
Lordship had departed by seven o'clock and my father had been there to bid
him farewell and was now gone to the stables. No one else had breakfasted
and it was close on nine o'clock. This lateness meant that eggs were now
solid, bacon more than crisp and kidneys took more than a little chewing.
George and Francis Clifford came in yawning with George most disconcerted
he had not been wakened to see his father off on his journey to London. We
had almost finished eating when Terence appeared complaining he had a small
man banging a large gong somewhere in his skull. I received more than a
brotherly buffet when I said there was plenty of room there for several
small men and their gongs and nothing to hinder them. He did wince as he
moved sharply to thump my arm. He also blamed the whisky as he had managed
three tumblers as well as the white wine with the fish and the red wine
with the hare. 'And the port after!' I added and he missed my arm
completely that time. He said our father did not know that Mr Clements had
a second bottle ready to open for the first had been emptied completely.
Our peace was then disturbed by the appearance of the three
youngsters. Not really disturbed for they were somewhat subdued after
greeting us. "We have only three more days and then John and I return to
London," Philip said with a sigh. "It is a wonderful place but I do miss
the quiet here. London is all bustle and noise."
"I would agree," said John, "But I was born there and would miss all
the excitement."
Francis was looking at Terence who screwed his eyes up and then took a
long draught from his beaker of tea. "I must return, too, school begins
soon and I need new clothes for the summer."
Terence roused himself. "Fret not, I shall be riding back on Monday
if this head of mine is clear. Remind me not to take any invitations from
Major MacGregor or Captain Forbes for they always have a tumbler of that
liquor at hand..."
"...Moderation in all things," I quoted not remembering where I had
heard or read it.
It was Terence's turn to sigh. "When my young brother tells me such
things I know I must turn a new leaf."
I did not reply to that but realised our own holiday from school would
be soon over. George spoke up.
"If it would be convenient I would ask that we leave for Ashbourne on
Monday." As he said that he looked more at Robin than me. "As a
Praepostor I have duties to perform." He stopped and also screwed his eyes
up. "It will be my last term..." He left that hanging in the air. I
would have been at Ashbourne two years then and had but two years further
before leaving, I would hope, for Cambridge. I thought of my enquiries
into time and here it was passing us by, I searched for a word, inexorably.
Robin and I would be sixteen soon and George and Theo eighteen. Time.
Time. Time! Robin just shook his head resignedly at him but said nothing.
Talk lightened then and we decided, if the weather was clement, to
ride out to Essendine to see the progress of the railway. Philip then told
us there was much chatter in the village over employment by the railway
company once the rails were laid and the trains were running.
"I have heard there will be need of men to use signals and to be at
the halt. It will keep a number in work which is needed, " he said.
Terence was more recovered now. "That is so, I heard discussion of
that at the Village Dance and it will provide several places for willing
and attentive workers."
"Why attentive?" asked James as he spread a piece of buttered bread
with a liberal amount of strawberry preserve.
"James, you would be attentive if you were near the rails and a
monstrous engine pulling carriages came rushing towards you," Terence said
and made rocking movements on his chair.
James shook his head. "I have still to see an engine."
"They are large and make smoke and steam as they travel," Robin said
as he copied his brother with another piece of bread and preserve, "They
travel fast and I aver they will be our means of travel in the future."
Francis said he had travelled from Ipswich to London and marvelled at
the speed and also the comfort. James looked sad. "Am I the only one not
to have travelled so?" he asked.
George spoke up. "James, I have not and at present have no desire to
do so. They are on rails and so cannot take you to places where a carriage
or a good steed can easily go."
James was no slouch in his thinking. "Then I would have a plan. If
the engine stopped in a town then I would have horses or carriages to take
those who have travelled on the train to their houses or places they wished
to go."
Robin laughed. "That would be so. We saw carriages waiting on the
quayside both at Dover and Calais so why not at Stamford or Peterborough?
They would be like the hackney carriages in London."
The weather was good and Terence said he and Caleb would accompany us.
He stopped then but told Robin and me later he was about to say in case we
were kidnapped and made to dig out the earth before the rails could be
laid. It was too close to Timmy's ordeal so he had stopped in time.
There was a deal to see. Large barrows of earth were being loaded
onto carts to clear the width and depth for the rails. The road had been
diverted and the basis for the bridge was being constructed by pillars of
bricks. Terence was questioning the man who was in charge who said as this
was a simple bridge for a road to pass over then the supports did not have
to be so massive, nor so thick, if the bridge was for the trains to
traverse. He said he hoped all the legal discussion about Careby would be
completed within a month and we would see the rails laid and the first
engines sometime later in the New Year.
Our journey back followed the tapes and stakes which had already been
set to show the direction of the line. There was shaking of heads of two
farmworkers we met on the way who said they were not sure of their
positions for the line cut across land where the cattle grazed and their
employer was set to sell his stock before deciding what to do. We had
heard of that happening before. "Things will change," Terence said as we
left them. "I wonder what father will do with the coming of the railway?"
On our return we heard that a message had been received from my cousin
Nicholas Wright and his American friend asking if they might be
accommodated again for a few days for they were determined now to visit
France after receiving a letter from my mother telling them of our
adventures in that country. They could delay their return to America for a
month which would give them time to visit Paris and Versailles. Lancelot
was at dinner that evening and said he could arrange all that and, if they
were willing, accompany them. I looked at Robin and grimaced for we had to
go to school! However I would be meeting a cousin I had no recollection of
seeing before.
That evening before dinner Terence had opportunity to tell my father
we did not recommend the purchase of the Templar farm, an opinion shared by
us all. Father said he was not surprised for he was wary not only of the
condition of the land but of the tales of tunnels and other strange things.
We were unable to ask more as the Squire and Mrs Matthews were announced
for they had been invited for the meal. There was then much discussion,
again rather tedious, on the siting of the halt and the siding. The Squire
wanted neither to be visible from the Manor which I saw pleased my father
for both could be placed to be more convenient for the Hall. Mrs Matthews
took no part in that discussion but was particularly pleased with the main
entr£Æ for it was roast Spring lamb. We knew she had few teeth, so
it was succulent enough not to demand too much chewing!
We had not decided what we might do on Saturday so spent the morning
exercising our mounts and taking them to the forge where George and Francis
pumped the bellows while shoes were fitted. We had left the younger lads
at the Hall for they had found some old bows and arrows and wanted to have
a contest but, when we returned, all was quiet and no one except Bobby
Brewer was at the Hall stable.
"You have visitors," he announced as we dismounted at the stable
doorway. "That be your cousin and his friend. Dr Lancelot is tending to
that man's leg. He got shot by a n'arrow and said that only happened in
'Merica!"
To be continued:
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