Tom Browning's Schooldays

Tom Browning's Schooldays

By

Joel

Chapter Fifteen

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Did you see my sister?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I confessed that we had slept together again.

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

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

"And the brothers?"

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

"Has he said anything since?" I asked.

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

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

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

"Bigger than ours I suppose."

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

"Well you certainly saw plenty even so."

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

"Is he good?" I asked

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Robin shook his head.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Who was it?" I asked.

"Charlie Cornford," he said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Anything else?" I asked.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To be continued: