Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2014 22:16:56 +0100
From: Jo Vincent <joad130@gmail.com>
Subject: Tom Browning's Schooldays Ch85

			 Tom Browning's Schooldays

				    By

				   Joel

			    Chapter EightyFive


As usual the bird was ignored but we found it had learned something new.
We were greeted most affably by Mrs Ridley and congratulated on our further
elevation.  Barney and a housemaid brought in a trolley with cups and
plates and a stand of 'cook's specials'.  Barney stood by the trolley as
the housemaid went away.  Mrs Ridley asked if Robin would give the bird a
sliver of cake set on a plate.  From previous experience one had to make
certain the bird took the piece straight into its beak or you could receive
a painful peck.  As Robin approached the perch the parrot hopped then stood
still and cocked its head. "Who's been diddling again?" it seemed to ask.
As 'diddling' was a word used by boys to describe certain pleasurable
actions poor Robin stood stock still.  "Move your arse!" was the next thing
the bird said and Robin, no doubt relieved after being accused of that
secret vice, thrust the piece of cake at the bird.  Its beak opened and the
whole slice disappeared in a trice.

     Mrs Ridley was not perturbed.  She called out to the bird "Say thank
you, Polly!".  There was a moment's pause while the cake was swallowed.
The bird was partially polite.  "Thank you!" it squawked then matching its
next action said "Shit!".  Robin stepped back smartly as that excretion
fell and landed in the sand in the tray at the base of the pole holding the
perch.

     I looked at Barney who had such an air of innocence as he poured milk
then tea into the delicate cups for us.  I could hardly forebear from
asking when he diddled himself last as a ghost of a smile was on his lips
as he passed me my cup.

     Mrs Ridley then wanted to know how we had spent our time over the
summer.  We said we had visited Cambridge and that Robin would apply to be
the next Servant of the Chapel at St Mark's.  She knew of that position
though she said Mr Ridley had only studied at the College and would be
attending the next Gaudy.  She knew I wished to study Medicine but did not
question me on that.  We said we were also looking forward to the
completion of the railway through Careby.  She observed she had never
travelled on such a conveyance and wondered if such a thing might be built
through Ashbourne town.  She said her sister who lived in Ipswich had
travelled a number of times from there to London on the Eastern Counties
Railway and said it was a great improvement over the uncomfortable stage
coach.  We said we agreed for we had found the journey at Easter from
London to Birmingham to be fast and more restful.

     Two others joined us.  Aubrey Bayes and Bristow.  After being greeted
as 'Pretty boys' by the parrot and greeting Mrs Ridley formally themselves
they smiled at us when they saw the ribands.  "Two for the price of one,"
said Bristow much to Mrs Ridley's amusement.  "We did expect something like
it," he continued.  "I do approve," he added.  Aubrey was nodding.

     Aubrey was quite excited.  First, he had travelled back to Ashbourne
via the railway to Birmingham as we had done the previous term.  He praised
the speed and comfort and said his father was of the opinion it would be
the chosen mode of transport in the future.  All that was needed now was
the money for more construction. However, his greater excitement was that
his father had arranged for him to study mathematics at the University of
Heidelberg instead of in London.  He said he had some fluency in German as
an uncle was a merchant in Berlin and he had spent time there when younger
with his cousins who spoke German all the time.  Bristow said he would be
going to Oxford to study Law as his father and two elder brothers were also
lawyers.  It seemed as if all our futures were assured.  We would have to
see what this our last year at Ashbourne would bring.

     We thanked Mrs Ridley for her kindness once all the delicacies had
been eaten.  They had filled a hole until our evening meal!  We returned to
the House and found Sharpin in his cubby-hole.  We had to explain our
promotion and he said we two had moved on from Midshipmen to Lieutenants
which made us grin.  I passed him a shilling which I knew would not find
its way into Figgis's coffers.  Sharpin smoked a pipe and the tip would
purchase him a good amount of the Naval shag which I knew Mrs Williams had
in her shop.

     Harry Lawson had not been in the room when we arrived earlier but he
was busy now unpacking his chest as we entered our abode.  He stood and
bowed his head then saw the ribands and gaped.  We saw he was pleased we
had been promoted then he grinned and said he would be able to bask in our
glory.  Robin said he had to be doubly obedient now which made him giggle
for he said we would have to give him twice the praise when he did our
bidding.  I said he would get twice the slaps when he was naughty.  Harry
said he had been very good for he had arrived at the same time as Stevenson
whom he had been asked to look after when he had first arrived at the
School.  He had his young brother with him who was eleven and was to be
with Mr Pretyman.  Stevenson Senior would be moving up to be in this part
of the House for though young he was a fine scholar and would be in Mr
Martin's room.  Lawson said the older brother had told him he was glad both
were now here and away from the tutor they had at Southwell.  Most probably
pleased to be away from the father's rod as well.

     Lawson and Coulson insisted they lead the way downstairs to the dining
hall when we were ready for the evening meal.  They opened both doors to
the room as Robin and I marched in followed by Aubrey Bayes and Bristow.
There was laughter and some applause and then a cheer when all by now
assembled saw our badges of high office.  Mr Pretyman was seated but rose
and shook our hands, as well as Aubrey's and Bristow's.  Bristow as the
oldest usually intoned the Grace but he looked at both of us.  He mouthed
'Together!'.  We did as instructed and from then on for all our final year
'Benedictus benedicat...' came from two throats simultaneously.

     There was some celebration later that evening for a succession of the
inhabitants of the House came to pay their respects and sample some of the
claret which had fortuitously been placed in a hamper by Mr Clements.  Our
supply was not too depleted as others had brought bottles as well, which
supplemented our provision and so a merry time was had by all.  While we
were supping Bristow said he had been asked to arrange all the football
matches between the various Houses and the first major one on Saturday
would be our Ridley House against Carstairs' House.  I said I hoped my
apothecary's box would stand the onslaught for this would be quite a
bruising encounter.  I warned Robin he should keep clear and not be mauled.

     Bastable had been missing that first day as his journey was from
Dorset and so usually took longer than ours or those who lived near and
around London.  He did not arrive until the Friday afternoon for we found
an elder brother had been married the previous Saturday and this had
delayed his departure even more.  His news was that he would be joining the
Navy on leaving Ashbourne at the end of this year, which was the last for
him as well.  It was well he arrived in time for he was to be Captain of
the Ridley House football team.

     On that first Saturday afternoon I had been a Hare with Radcliffe in a
most satisfactory Chase.  We had set a good route for the three groups who
would be taking part.  Coulson, now growing fast, was shepherding the Pups
and Whelps not only from our House but also from Carstairs' as well.  They
would not have any walls to vault nor the small stream to navigate but the
second and third groups would have these with the final group also having
to enter a small quarry and climb a steep incline to emerge within a
hundred yards or so of the finishing line.  As Mr Ridley had not had his
usual class on the Friday before Radcliffe and I had run the course and
tied the coloured streamers to indicate the three final pathways.  We were
pleased as we threw out the last of the paper on the trail for we heard the
scramble going on where the second group had just reached the first of two
four foot walls.  It was nothing too difficult for there were plenty of
foot and handholds for the shorter ones amongst the pack.  Young Potts was
in his usual place by the copper of hot water in the washroom.  We warned
him he would need to prepare plenty as we had noted the muddiness of the
football field when skirting it.  "Thass be plenty for they for some'll
keep their dirtiness and come a'begging for watter efter they've downed a
pint or two of ale!"  This was true for thirst came before cleanliness for
a good few!

     Radcliffe and I were cleansed before the first of the Hounds appeared.
Two had cuts on their legs from encounters with sharp stones on the walls.
I had brought my apothecary's box down before the Chase and gave both a
little salve to smooth over their wounds.  By the time all the older ones
had appeared I had ministered to four others with Radcliffe inspecting all
and sundry for suspected hurts.  This became almost Bedlam when the
footballers streamed in.  Truly the game had been muddy and, as predicted,
bruising.  I said I would only treat those who washed first and Radcliffe
went round examining those who complained of bruising or worse.  He made
those who wanted attention to appear naked and he had a smirk on his face
for I saw he was making comparisons of the various lengths, thicknesses and
other attributes of those lining up.  My stock of arnica was being rapidly
depleted with at least a dozen showing bruised thighs, backs or ribs.  I
would have to claim some payment for a visit to the apothecary in Ashbourne
to replenish my supply if such demands from each game should ensue.  Either
that or not appear.

     I had just finished with the last supplicant when a lad named
Chalfont, who was with us in Mr Martin's room, came from Prior's House
asking for me saying there were two there requesting my presence.
Radcliffe remarked that my fame had spread and he would accompany me and
would carry my apothecary's case.  What I found was more that just
bruising.  Like Villiers and others here were a pair who had suffered blows
to the cods and were moaning and writhing on their beds much to the
consternation of their fellows.

     The first I was led to was a hulking brute of seventeen near eighteen
named Freshfield.  I could see Radcliffe was as interested as I was for
though well-grown in the rest of his body Freshfield's pizzle and ballocks
were as small as mine and Robin's had been at thirteen or so.  I knew him
for he always sang out loudly at the Sing-Songs and was most adept at
adding a descant above any tune in a high voice though his speaking voice
was low.  It was something to contemplate and I knew Radcliffe would ask
questions later.  Freshfield was moaning and cupping his sore ballsack.
His tassel was no more than two inches but with a heavy foreskin drooping
from its end.  I recommended my usual remedy of cold compresses and two
other fellows in his room said they would deal with him.  After I had
demonstrated what to do with a washcloth and cold water Chalfont said he
would take us to the other sufferer.  As he led the way with me out of the
room he turned and whispered "It works!".  I thought he meant my remedy but
he then made a fist and moved it up and down and nudged me.  "He is a good
friend," he added.  I had to smile.  Radcliffe had seen the lad's action
and winked at me as we were taken to the next sufferer.

     He was in a room some doors along the passageway and was a lad named
Denney.  I knew him for he had been on several Hare and Hounds chases and
though only fifteen most often beat runners much older.  He was small in
stature but exceeded the other lad both in the hairiness above his pizzle
and also in the size of that and the ballsack below.  He was another
Radcliffe in the making whose pizzle I had noted that day drooped a good
six inches or more after his hot bath I considered Denney to be the more
wounded as his left ball was quite bruised and I suspected that there was
some bleeding as well.  I gave the same instruction to apply cold
compresses but also for someone to send a serving-boy to ask Dr Dimbleby to
attend.  This did cause consternation for Denney looked at me beseechingly
for one could see these were very proud possessions.

     "You do not think I am damaged?" he asked.  I said it would be best
for him to be examined by a qualified physician.  He sniffed. "It worries
me for my brother was damaged there and the surgeons took away one of
his..."  He did not finish the sentence and tears began to flow.  I held
his hand and said I was being cautious. There were four others in the room
all staring at the display as I took a washcloth and prepared the first
cold compress.  One nodded and left, I surmised to send for Dr Dimbleby.  I
noted then that Denney still had his football drawers down around his
ankles.  He had not been wearing an underclout so all had been free within
his loose garment.  I said he would be better in future to wear some sort
of tight underclothes preferably such as my friend Robin and I had
purchased in London.  One of the others laughed and said neither Denney nor
he ever wore any as they preferred to let all hang free.  I said it might
provide some protection especially when fists or boots were flying in the
scrimmages.  "Bollocks were made to be beaten!" another of Denney's room-
mates remarked.  "But not in that way!" the third commented to laughter
from the others, but not from Denney who groaned.  As I had completed my
mission and it seemed there was no call for bruises to be treated Radcliffe
and I left the room accompanied by Chalfont.

     "His works, too," the rogue averred.

     "No doubt," added Radcliffe and the pair sniggered as I tried to
maintain a straight face.

     The questioning began when Radcliffe and I had gone no further than a
dozen yards from the main door of Prior's House.  Radcliffe remarked he was
always amazed at the differences between lads of the same age but also that
some young ones outdid older ones as we had seen with that pair.  What were
the reasons?  I said I did not know but I had noted the same.  "Mine was of
a size with Freshfield's when I was twelve and within a year and a bit I
would say I grew a good four inches more there," Radcliffe said.  "I do not
know if I have full growth yet for my brother David is four years older and
shows some eight inches when erect."  I thought that even outmatched dear
Jabez but did not comment.  "It has done him no good," Radcliffe went on
confidentially, "He says two wenches would not let him put it near them
though he offered them good money." It was then I heard a confession.  "I
have no feeling for wenches," he said quietly.  "I must find a companion
like your Robin."  He smiled at me.  "I envy your closeness.  I think Jack
Laidlaw and I will go together to Oxford."  He said no more but I knew the
envy was friendly and he and Laidlaw were already close friends.  However,
with his remarks about growing boys and my observations over the past years
I was left to contemplate if there had been close study made of how
individual boys changed but also of the differences between boys of the
same age.  A school like ours would supply a good number for such scrutiny.

     I was also left to contemplate how boys might be protected from low
blows.  Those tight drawers did hold one snugly but perhaps some padding
would afford better protection.  At least a folded kerchief or a rolled-up
stocking would absorb a hit but if the padding was made of some rigid
substance then any blows would be deflected.  I smiled to myself for the
result of any way would be like those prominent codpieces in those old
engravings I had seen in a book.  The result would certainly please young
Lawson but that could wait for it was something to discuss with Robin
first!

     Our schoolwork progressed apace.  Both Robin and I enjoyed our study
of the Greek New Testament except we more than a little perturbed by many
of the passages in the Revelations of St John.  This was especially so when
we studied Chapter Twelve with the description of war in Heaven and St
Michael battling the dragon, diabolos, who was cast out as Satan.  However,
there was some amusement and a little consternation when one of the class,
Freeman, said that a rearrangement of the letters of 'St Michael' spelled
out 'alchemist'.  There was a hunt then for others.  Bayes said 'seraph'
was a word but also a 'phrase' with Cornish causing some merriment by
saying that a 'cherub' became a 'butcher' after taking a dish of 't'!

     Robin and Aubrey Bayes were often closeted together with their books
on mathematics.  They said it was most helpful in many cases when they
could imagine what a function would look like in three dimensions though it
was impossible to see these in further dimensions.  I was lost when I sat
and listened to such things but it became much clearer when they found some
clay and fashioned several three-dimensional objects.  Pages were filled
with the calculations as they changed the values so hemispheres became
cones and then vases which could not stand upright.  These they said were
simple functions but others made very strange shapes with Robin progressing
to contemplating the shape of a wing of a dead pigeon he had found on the
roof of the privy.  He wondered if the shape of the wing helped different
birds in their mode of flight from the gentle movement of doves to the
swooping of falcons.  My own studies were aided in that Mr Pretyman had
purchased, for no reason for himself, volumes of studies in anatomy and
others on the treatment of diseases.  Two of these latter ones were in
German which I could not read but here Aubrey Bayes was a great help when
he could be prised from his mathematical studies.  Actually, he was quite
content for it gave Robin time to explore more and more shapes with his
clay.  Because of the dirt and grime he and Aubrey had found another small
unused room and this became their practical mathematical abode.

     I was also getting more and more adept at playing the organ.  It would
be too late for me but Mr Skrimshire said some money was being made
available to extend the Chapel organ and also provide a full set of pedals.
However, I explored Sebastian Bach's chorale preludes and works by the man
he walked two hundred miles to hear play, Dietrich Buxtehude.  I also was
called upon to help one of the Whelps from Prior's House who wished to
learn to play.  Gibson had progressed well on the fortepiano at home and
his mother played the organ in the church where his father was Rector.
Gibson also played the flute and joined Robin and me in providing the music
for the Sing-Songs.

     Towards the end of term the weather turned quite cold.  Before that I
had discussed my suggestion of placing padding in those tight under-drawers
with Robin.  He said he would try that proposal and made a pad from two
folded neckerchiefs and had the foresight to sew them into the front of the
drawers to prevent them slipping out.  Harry Lawson had watched this
endeavour and within a day or so at least ten of the Ridley House
footballers were guarded in this way.  I said they should not tell their
opponents for I was sure their defences would be attacked.  There was a
remark that Ridley House seemed to have well-formed inhabitants during the
next game but I had no call for my services from any of our warriors from
then on.  I was kind and privily explained my suggestion to Denney, who had
received that blow in that previous game.  He had consulted Dr Dimbleby who
was concerned at his bruising and was told that he should continue with my
advice until the swelling reduced.  Dr Dimbleby had also told me the boy
was a fool not to wear any underclout and a blow there could damage him for
life but he thought he was lucky this time.  Denney did take this other
advice and found some of the tighter drawers in a haberdashers in Ashbourne
and averred his codpiece, when playing, was the envy of all!

     As the weather worsened so our football games and Chases had to be
cancelled and it was then we heard of a great tragedy. The Rector of
Ashbourne had visited a sick parishioner who lived some way out of the town
on a difficult road up the fell side.  He had been driving himself in his
one-horse chaise and on his return his horse had either panicked or
stumbled on an icy patch causing the chaise to overturn.  The Rector was
thrown out and from the description of how he was found he must have hit
his head on the stones of the wall by the road side and died immediately.
There was considerable grief expressed in the town as he was well-liked but
also he left a widow and three young children.  The even greater tragedy
was that the advowson was in the gift of Gresham, the School's arch-enemy,
and it was announced that his son, the curate near Ely, would be installed
as the next Rector in the New Year.  Little was said in the School but
there were concerns expressed about the lease of the glebe.  However, the
end of term came soon after and we all departed for our homes.

     Christmas and New Year was as usual a most happy period.  There was
some snow but it did not prevent the whole Village gathering for the usual
entertainments of Dinners and Dances to celebrate the birth of our Lord and
to welcome the New Year.  As predicted harvests had been poor in the autumn
The price of wheat and barley had risen and if my father and other
land-owners had not made supplies of such available to the poor there would
have been a deal of starvation.  As it was there were many who feasted off
turnips and beets on Christmas Day so Isaac Barker told me and Robin when
we took our steeds to be shod at the forge.  He was not jesting though we
knew the Squire had provided many of the village with a rabbit or a bird
which his gamekeepers had shot but there were some who were either out of
employment or too feckless to provide for their families.

     The great news was that young Philip Goodhew was travelling to Italy
with two other of the pupils at the Royal Schools for three months to study
at the Academy in Rome.  The three had been chosen after a display of their
recent work and a collection had been made which had resulted in a
sufficient sum of money being made available for them and two tutors to
make the journey.  There was also reports that the Prince Consort was
becoming involved with the encouragement of both arts and science which
could only augur well for the future

     Both Robin and I sent in our applications for Matriculation to St
Mark's College with recommendations from Mr Ridley, Mr Dimbleby and Mr
Martin on our progress and attainments.  My father, of course, made the
complaint that we would be idling our time away for three years at his
expense. We took no notice and my mother chided him for casting aspersions
on his youngest son and grandson.  However, he had already made it clear to
Steven and Jenny Goodhew that he would be responsible for Robin's costs
above what he might receive if appointed as Servant of the Chapel.  He also
said that young James would not want when it was time to further his
education.

     The weather did not improve again this New Year of 1847 and our
journey back to Ashbourne was cold and dreary.  Lancelot had filled my
apothecary's box once more with useful winter medicaments with several
extra flasks of mixtures placed in my chest wrapped round with clothing.  I
would have to take care when unpacking!  We did arrive in good time for
there were few other travellers on the roads we took other than drovers and
mail coaches.  There did seem to be a great air of despondency and
desolation wherever we stopped for sustenance or a bed for the night.  We
learned there was a deal of movement from villages to towns and then to the
large towns where manufactories were set up.  Even so, we heard tales
brought back from such places that even there it was not a bed of roses.
Hours were long and the work was often more tedious than working on the
land.  We collected several broadsheets at the second inn we stayed at
complaining of the conditions in the manufacturing towns and advocating
that workers should rise up against the exploitation.  The landlord was
rather concerned that we as gentry, meaning Robin and me, should be exposed
to such inflammatory opinions.  However, these documents contained matters
to discuss in Mr Ridley's classes.

     There was much discussion about the demands made of the workers for
better conditions.  We in Mr Ridley's class were mainly from country stock
and knew of the hardships within our own estates and holdings through the
failure of crops and the depression of prices for cattle and sheep.  The
life in cities producing the goods which were in much demand, such as
cotton and textiles, were not within our comprehension.  I said about the
squalor I had observed in London without mentioning the boys and the demise
of Black Jack.  Opinions were expressed that the poor were always with us
and were of a different station in life.  I dare not say that some I valued
most highly as friends were considered to be low in society.  I did ask if
it was possible for those born lowly to rise.  I did not mention him but I
was sure Jabez Bottom would be in position in Government service and not as
a lowly minion.  Aubrey Bayes was quite forthright in his views.  He said
that men such as Sir Humphry Davy the chemist and inventor of the safety
lamp for coal mines, James Watt the engineer and John Harrison the
clockmaker were all of humble birth and it would be men such as these whose
fame would last rather than the owners of many acres!  This almost caused a
rumpus until Mr Ridley raised a finger and quoted from memory 'Full many a
flower is born to blush unseen, And waste its sweetness on the desert air.
Some village- Hampden, that with dauntless breast the little tyrant of his
fields withstood; some mute inglorious Milton here may rest, Some Cromwell
guiltless of his country's blood.'  We had all known of Mr Gray's poem and
here it was stated quite baldly.  There was silence and my Robin spoke.

     "As you know my background I am able to speak of my family.  My eldest
foster- brother, is the son of a stone-mason and is fifteen now.  He is
studying at the Royal Schools of Art in London and is in Italy at present
at the Academy in Rome, all on his own merit.  He will rise, I am sure,
through his own efforts and will surpass many who would consider him
ill-born."  He took from his pocket two folded sheets of paper and when
unfolded passed them to his neighbour who shook his head when Robin said
his brother had drawn that copy of our village church when he was thirteen
and the heads of himself and me just last summer.

     One could cut the silence then with the bluntest knife as the pages
were circulated.  I looked at Mr Ridley who had more than a faint smile.
He knew who had prepared the drawings for our Vespasians!

     Mr Ridley then spoke of the many poets, artists and musicians who had
overcome their lowly birth to present the world with so many riches.  Even
Mr Shakespeare was the son of a glover but was regarded as the greatest
playwright ever.  Someone asked if it was true that he did not write the
plays but they were the work of a nobleman?  Mr Ridley said he did not know
but had heard many arguments.  It was something no one so far had resolved.

     Matthew Coulson put up a hand to gain Mr Ridley's attention.  "Sir, I
have heard my father argue against a friend who says that the schools in
villages and towns are the cause of unrest.  Is this so?"

     As it was getting towards five o'clock Mr Ridley said we would take
that as a topic for next week.  We had to be ready to say about our own
villages or towns and to report any arguments we may have heard.

     The next Friday we were all armed with what we knew.  The Johnson
twins and Pederson were not able to contribute much for their experience
was either of France, or for Pederson, the school he had attended in
Copenhagen.  However, we found there was a mixture of Dame Schools in the
villages to charity schools and Grammar schools in the towns in counties
from Lincolnshire, Essex, Kent to Dorset from which members of our class
came. Bayes knew of many charitable schools in London and said many of the
students at the University College in London had been pupils there.  Mr
Ridley said that many towns had schools set up by benefactors dating back
sometimes to the fourteen and fifteen hundreds.  There was always the need
for clerks and book-keepers for lawyers, dealers and all the various
trades.  There was a desire for many more to be educated and National
Schools were being set up by the Church of England all over the country, as
well as colleges to train the schoolmasters needed for them.

     There was little to say about any of these causing unrest.  Mr Ridley
said there were many of the gentry and above who thought the increase in
those 'educated above their station' might lead to revolution.  He
suggested we should listen carefully if the matter was raised when at home
because being in School and away from our families for long periods we were
probably unaware of opinions.  There was much to think about!

     As the weather was generally inclement, though games of football and
Chases did continue with mud-caked results, it was decided that another
play by Mr Shakespeare should be essayed for just after the middle of term.
There was much amusement when 'Romeo and Juliet' was chosen.  Mr Greatorex
said we would not be performing it complete but the extracts chosen would
keep a good number employed as citizens, guards, apprentices, servants and
general attendants as well as those needed to fill the speaking parts.  The
Johnson twins were called upon to be Malvolio and Tybalt to how off their
fencing skills and impart their knowledge of swordplay to others who would
be members of the rival houses of Capulet and Montague.  Matthew Coulson
was chosen to play Juliet and commanded to let his hair grow and, of
course, Harry Lawson could be none other than Romeo.  Both revelled in
their roles as did Laidlaw who was cast as Juliet's Nurse.  Harry had his
arsecheeks slapped a number of times when rehearsing his lines with Matthew
Coulson, who personified a winsome maid.  Harry was a more than Priapic
Romeo and made his amorous feelings most evident and said his erect peg
would be the leading role on stage.  He had to be tamed but whatever
punishment was meted out there was hilarity on all our parts.  His parts
did not droop!  I did a crafty thing.  I took a pair of his black britches
to Mrs Dimbleby.  She cut off the legs and with her scissors and needle and
thread made slashes filled with bright silks just as we had seen in
pictures of courtiers and nobles of past times.  Harry was more than
delighted and the rampant pizzle was hidden from sight!

     I realised why Mr Greatorex had said it would only be extracts from
the play, because while delving into Mr Pretyman's library looking for any
books on astronomy for my contribution to Mr Ridley's classes, I found a
complete edition of Romeo and Juliet which I borrowed.  I am afraid Robin,
Aubrey Bayes, Radcliffe and I had many hours of enjoyable discussion of the
different meanings of many of the words and phrases.  Aubrey had seen the
whole play in London in the company of students from the University College
and they had enlightened him about such terms as 'maidenhead' and the
double meaning of 'My naked weapon is out' which did not appear in Mr
Greatorex's version.  We decided for ourselves that the repeated use of
'prick' in 'prick love for pricking' could only have a particular meaning
as we were sure 'cleft with the blind bow-boy's butt-shaft' could as well!
Even so the whole enterprise was a great success and we three, Robin,
Gibson and me, as the musicians, enjoyed the praise we all received after
both the first and second performance; that second demanded by the rest of
the School, the masters and their wives and various of the respectable
classes of Ashbourne!

     We were now so used to school-life that the term unrolled, as it were,
without too much incident and at a fast pace.  The blow came the week
before we were to have our last lessons before the Easter break.  It
started as a rumour then Mr Ridley had to make a statement after the last
Sunday morning service.

     He looked very grim as he stood and addressed us all.  "It is with
great sadness I have been informed of two matters.  First of all the new
Rector of Ashbourne has instructed his and our lawyers that the agreement
for the School to use part of his glebe land for our playing field is to be
rescinded when the present lease runs its course within the next three
years."  It was noticeable he did not name the Gresham son who was now in
that position.  Mr Ridley waited a moment for there had been an audible
murmur.  "The second matter concerns the future of this school.  Without
the school having a further lease on that land our lawyers have been
informed there will be an immediate application for an Act of Parliament to
construct a railway line from Ashbourne towards Uttoxeter following the
course of the small river.  As this river constitutes a further border and
is not ours it would mean a cutting made within a few yards of our Houses
on that side.  Our Governors are making representations and all parents and
guardians have been written to."

     He looked most dejected and sat down heavily and Mr Martin and Mr
Trevelyan on either side of him took hold of an arm each as he looked near
to collapsing.  The murmur in the Chapel rose to a crescendo.  Mr Martin
rose and raised a hand.  There was an immediate silence.  He pronounced the
Blessing to end the service and the hubbub rose again.  It wasn't only the
pupils but the masters as well as they were being questioned by those
nearest to them.  It had been my turn to play the organ at the end of the
service but Mr Skrimshire shook his head.  There could be nothing
appropriate to play: 'The Dead March from Saul' by Mr Handel would be my
choice for Gresham and his sons!

     Groups gathered outside the Chapel even though our luncheons would be
almost upon us.  Those of us in our last year would not be affected but
what of all the youngsters from Pups to Whelps and then to Middle School?
All in all this was a happy school.  Rivalries did exist but we all had
friends or even just acquaintances within and across Houses.  Punishments
were meted out but certainly not to the extent we had heard of in other
schools even those more illustrious than ours!  In my time here there had
not been a public beating followed by an expulsion. We knew of those who
flouted school rules but others in the Houses made sure their
transgressions did not bring disgrace.  Even the denizens of Pratt's House
kept their evil ways within some bounds.  We had little to complain about
for the standard of our masters.  There was care and attention to the needs
of all.  Overall, I felt my four years here had been most helpful and
productive for me.  I had made good friends; adventures had happened,
though mainly outside the premises but involving fellows from here like the
Johnsons or dear George; my studies had progressed in many directions but,
most importantly, I had been able to be with my dearest friend and now
lover, my Robin.

     I found two of the Pups who had been in the last Chase in tears.
Robin and I gathered them and several of their fellows who all looked
despondent and walked with them to where Mr Pretyman had marshalled his
older contingent.

     "That is a blow, but we will recover," he said as he shook his head
sadly.  "There are plans to reconstruct the school on the south coast.  We
have been promised building land and there are already two houses which can
be converted."  He moved away from his flock.  "I would say that Mr Ridley
would retire anyway within three or four years so it might be opportune to
start afresh."  He smiled then.  "There would always be a place for good
schoolmasters if you know of any!"  We knew he meant us but though I might
minister as a physician to youngsters I had no desire to teach them.

     We parted as he led his charges to the dining hall.  We waited and
overheard several of the older men from the different Houses saying some
retribution should fall on the Gresham clan.  They stopped as we
approached.  We had authority as joint Head Praepostor and it was clear we
could not be involved in such schemes even if we agreed.  I was certain
Aubrey Bayes could concoct some secret but powerful grenade to blow the
whole set of Greshams to Kingdom Come!
     Our last letters home for the term were full of woe.  Long faces were
all around us as the usual Sunday ritual after luncheon took place.  Mr
Pretyman could see the general sadness and stood and said there was no
doubt the school would survive even in another place.  There would be at
least another four years before a move could take place.  He had heard of
other railway schemes which had divided villages and towns and where
persons had been uprooted from homes their families had lived in for many
years for the landowner had sold the land they stood on to the railway
company.  Plans were afoot to preserve Ashbourne albeit under another name
and in another place.

To be continued:

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