Tom Browning's Schooldays

Tom Browning's Schooldays

By

Joel

Chapter ThirtyFour

Robin stepped forward and opened the case. Though somewhat dusty, the varnished wood of the violin shone in the light of the blazing fire, but the strings were perished and two were broken.

"I told Venables that you were to have the instrument and he said he would provide new strings," Miss Barnes said and began to cough. I saw there was a glass of some mixture on the table and gave it to her. She took several sips and it eased her somewhat. "I must ask your cousin Lancelot for something. Cook makes this for me but it does no more than wets my throat."

I said that when we rode back I would ask him to attend on her. She nodded. "He is not so expensive as the one before him. I was always paying for pills and mixtures which he said I needed. I never took them and never felt any harm for not swallowing them."

Robin thanked her for the violin and asked where Cremona was. I had not heard of it either.

Miss Barnes nodded her head. "My father was a great traveller and said he found it on a journey from Venice to, I think, Milan."

I had heard of those cities and so had Robin. "Ma'am, Cremona must be near the top of the northern states of Italy," he said, "I have seen a map at the Rectory which has them marked."

"That is correct, young man," she said, "My father visited many places West of Venice as far as a port on the other side when he was on leave from India. He had some fever while at the Bombay settlement and was told to come back to England to recover. He could not adjust to being idle, so set out travelling again which he said would strengthen him. That was some four years before he married my mother. He went to India again when I was very young."

"Did you not go to India yourself, ma'am?" I asked.

"No, my mother and I stayed in England but he wrote regularly. He was fortunate in his business and bought this house when he decided to return. My mother died young and I have lived here ever since." She smiled at Robin as he looked at the violin. "You will keep it safe and play it, young man. I would like to hear it again so please visit when the strings are whole. I am sorry they are broken but my father said it was old when he purchased it." She shook her head as if trying to remember. "That must be some ninety or so years past. How time does fly!"

Robin said he would take it to Mr Venables on our way home and placed the instrument carefully back into it's case.

She held a finger up and looked at Timmy. "I have something more for you. I have so many things I need to give away. Look behind that picture for the carving. It was another favourite of my father's. He bought it in London though he said it was from Africa."

Timmy went to the side table and picked up the carving of the young African. He immediately burst into tears. I went over and put an arm round his shoulder. "Ma'am, this is so wonderful," he said and sniffed, holding back his tears. "My mother had one like this and Mother Campion has it now. She said it was from my country but I do not know where."

"Come here and let me dry your tears," Miss Barnes said with such a smile. She drew out a large white handkerchief from her sleeve. "I am sorry I made you weep."

"Ma'am, I'm not sad. It is such a gift to have." Timmy looked up at Miss Barnes and smiled, too.

Miss Barnes picked up a little bell and shook it. No one came. I looked round and saw a bell-rope. I pulled it gently as dust descended from the swagged curtain which was held by a cord to a hook in the wall near it.

"I do not think that rings," she said, "I think I must ask you to find Saunders and tell him to bring the food and drink I ordered."

I found her aged butler sitting on a chair in the hallway staring at the wall opposite. He got up rather unsteadily as I approached. "Has the Mistress rung?" he asked.

I said she had and I had pulled the bell-rope, too.

"That danged thing hasn't rung for years. I keep forgetting to tell the farrier we need a new rod down to the kitchen."

Another task! I had to visit the forge to see the doughty pair of Isaac and Jacob and say I had seen their brothers. I could alert Mr Barker to the problem when there.

Mr Saunders went off to find the missing sustenance. I followed and helped push the rickety little cart to the parlour. As we approached the door I heard Miss Barnes describing her father's life in India as being full of adventure, including encounters with elephants and tigers. 'And collecting strange carvings,' I thought, but they were not to be asked about!

We soon finished the plates of cut bread and preserve and the little baked cakes. At least we would not starve before we arrived home for luncheon.

We thanked Miss Barnes profusely for the gifts and she said that if well she would be at the dinner on Saturday. We bid her farewell and rode immediately into the village and stopped at Mr Venables' cobbler's shop. He was very pleased to see us and said he would re- string the violin slowly and carefully. "It'll take a couple of days to get 'em right I'm sure. Can't do it too quick or there might be damage." I showed him my flute. "You need to rub a bit of oil in that," he observed. He picked the pieces up and inspected them closely. "That's good ebony and ivory there. Needs to be fed. That's what the oil'll do." He found a small jar. "Use this, Master Tom, it's what I use to soften good leather." I declared I must pay him for it. I didn't ask if it was made from dog shit. I did not need to worry. He smiled. "It is an oil I get from the apothecary in Stamford. 'Tis the best neatsfoot oil and I trust him for its quality. There is only a little in there and no payment required. You play that new flute on Sunday. That'll be settlement enough." He looked at the carving Timmy was holding. "Ah, she gave you that. I've seen that many a time when I've attended on her. That could do with a touch of oil as well." He winked at Timmy. "Watch where you rub it though!" That made Timmy blush a little and I wondered if the lad displaying himself would smile as Curly was reputed to!

There was one more errand to perform. We left our gifts with the horses in the yard to the forge. Mr Barker was there in his work room fashioning a bracket of some sort with pliers and the bolted down vice. We were greeted cordially and I said there had been a big parade with Amos so smart in his Sergeant's cloak escorting us to our places and I had seen Abel complete with beard.

He laughed at my description of his sons. "Amos sends us his news almost each week and tells us about that second son of mine," he laughed, "He alway had a hankering to match mine." Mr Barker stroked his fine black beard, now beginning to be flecked with white. I said I had seen more of London on this visit and found it all very interesting. He shook his head. "That London, I've never been there and I have no wish to go, though those lads of mine say they couldn't be anywhere better. Not even at Canterbury," he said emphatically.

I passed on the remark of Mr Saunders about the need for the bell to be mended.

He puffed his cheeks and blew the air out through his pursed lips. "That poor old woman, begging your pardon young sir, shouldn't be living there with that set of ancients. Can't see why she doesn't pension them off and take two or three of the youngsters who could do with reasonable positions." He smiled at us. "Another job for Mistress Dodd, I'm sure. She was asking Mrs Barker if she needed more help as there's two young wenches needing training in a good household."

I wondered who they were. Most girls went into service once they finished Dame School. They would be twelve or so and ready to earn their keep. What with our housemaids, laundry-maids and dairymaids I supposed we employed a good eight or so young girls as well as several full grown ones who would be with us until they married.

After delivering the message and hearing his comments we went into the forge where two sweating figures were busy shoeing a patient mare. There was much pretend bowing and scraping as they saw me enter. "And when will Her Majesty be making you Her Noble Servant Milord Tom Ticklebucket?" asked Isaac, bowing even lower while Jacob turned and showed his bare bum as he bent down. I think poor Timmy was not used to such displays. Both Robin and I had seen the pair many times in more flagrant antics especially in the river during hot weather.

"When I am called to the Palace," I said, "Then I might condescend to acknowledge you when you tugged your forelocks..."

Both guffawed. "...Not what you would be tugging, I'm sure," said Jacob, luckily not displaying his pizzle as well as he might normally do. Perhaps Timmy's presence restrained him at least in that action.

Knowing I would be seeing them this morning I had put four of the packets of sweetmeats I had brought home in my saddlebag into a jacket pocket. "I will ignore that for the moment," I said as archly as possible. "Here, vassals, although your hands are more than dirty you may have these." I drew out two of the packets and handed them over to large, blackened hands.

We smiled at each other. Both tugged at their sweaty hair. "We are most grateful for your generous charity, Your Excellency," said Isaac. He looked at the wrapped article carefully, turning it in his fingers. "What is it? Some tablet to loosen the bowels, no doubt."

"Daft fool," his brother said, "It is probably some ointment to rub on that tiny peg of yours to help it lengthen. What else would Her Majesty's Surgeon have in his pocket?"

"If I were a surgeon," I said, "I would recommend a scalpel to cut the offending object away. As you say, Jacob, it is so small to be no other use than to pass water and that in dribbles."

This set Jacob off making long noses at Isaac who waved him away as if he were swatting a fly.

"I will accept whatever the boy gives me as I am sure he doesn't wish to have his britches removed and feel the heat of this horseshoe against his noble buttocks as he would if it was something to do me hurt!"

I laughed. "I am safe, dear Isaac, you know me better than that."

He held the packet up. "I do remember when a certain young ruffian one day put salt in that flagon of good water I had here to quench my thirst. He ran off when I picked up my pincers to nip..." He stopped as his father came through the door holding the bracket he had finished making. Seeing the packet being held up he plucked it from Isaac's hand.

"Idling again? And what is this? Payment for shoeing that horse of his he forgot to remind his father that it was done?" It was my fault! I hadn't told father Blaze had been re- shod when I returned from school.

"Mr Barker, I apologise," I said, "Please accept that and forgive my failing. And not to make poor Isaac unhappy I have another he can have and enjoy." I took out the third packet and gave it to the now-grinning Isaac. I gave the fourth to a still rather bemused Timmy. "I have to tell you they were purchased at the most high-class emporium in London. As you will read, if you can...," I pointed at Isaac who I knew was a voracious reader of any book lent to him by my Uncle Dodd, "...That shop supplies those of the highest quality, even the Dowager Duchess of Evesham with whom I am well-acquainted."

Robin gave a snort. "And you the supplier of high-class cigars to the Duchess so you say."

The others were staring at me. "That is true," I said trying not to laugh. "After the New Year Dinner at my Aunt's house she asked me to procure a small cigar for her to light in her carriage as she finds the smells of London not to her liking."

Again I was polite. 'Stink' and 'horseshit' were not said. Robin was not so genteel. "I can tell you that place stinks," he said quite vehemently, "I enjoyed my visit but even Mr Grindcobbe apologised when we first arrived and the coach door was opened. I did not know where to put my feet to begin with as the roadways are so mired..."

I prevented him saying more by interrupting him. "...That is so. You cannot help but wonder how people live with so much filth and stench around."

Robin was not to be interrupted. "At least they have boys who pick up the dog-shit!" Mr Barker looked at him keenly but said nothing. The others just stared at the outburst. "I would not credit it but when we came by the cathedral we saw two boys following people with dogs and almost fighting over who should collect the next dropping for their bucket. Edward Harrison said it goes to the tanneries to help clean goatskins." He laughed. "Edward said they call them 'pure-finders'. I will not say what my brother Philip said when he stepped in a fine example. His words were not at all pure!"

Mr Barker was nodding. "I have heard of that trade," he said. "Tanneries are dreadful places and use a deal of unpleasant things." I almost said I had heard of the collection of horse-piss as well for their use. "I have had to take many an old horse to the knackers for them to kill it and dispose of the remains." He shook his head. "Very little remains. The flesh for the hounds, the hair for the furniture makers, the hide for the tannery and the bones for that other dreadful place outside Stamford for making glue."

He looked at his sons who were making faces as if disgusted. "And if the pair of you don't stop idling and gossiping I might have a mind to send you with the next old nag and use your greasy hair to stuff a cushion or two!"

Taking that as a hint to take our leave we said our farewells and went into the yard. Robin and I were laughing but Timmy was still rather perplexed by the forwardness of the two lads in speaking to me and, I assumed, also by the open way in which even Mr Barker spoke. My assumptions were correct. We had gathered our gifts and mounted our horses and were riding out of the yard when Timmy spoke rather cautiously.

"Master Tom, may I ask?"

"Of course, Timmy, what is it?"

"Those boys..." He hesitated. "...They do not speak to you politely and I was ashamed of some of their actions. You did not chide them for all their lack of respect. I could not speak like that."

I reined Blaze and the other two stopped as well. "Timmy, I have known that pair since we were very young together. They do not show me disrespect. In fact, I have great respect for them. When we were all younger we played together. Since they have grown and learned their father's trade I haven't rejected them, nor they me." I laughed. "I have worked in the forge with them pumping those bellows sometimes 'till I could hardly stand. I know how they speak but there is no evil there. They are brothers who tease each other and their friends. Robin can tell you of many occasions when we have been chastised for the pranks we have engaged in especially when Jabez Bottom was our leader. You must ask Mrs Bottom or Caleb now he is home."

Timmy had been listening intently. "I have much to learn. The servant boys at the school would not have spoken such words as those two to any person in authority. I will take heed of what you say but they are too forward in their speaking." He looked at me quite sternly as he said that last sentence.

"Timmy, I agree that to someone who does not know our ways and our friends it must sound strange," I said with a smile, "But I can assure you as you get to know Isaac and Jacob you will find no better friends and no more upright young men. Robin will tell you the same and you know he would not lie to you."

Robin was nodding. "I can assure you, Timmy, all that Tom has said is quite true. You heard Mr Barker as well. He and Mr Browning were boys together in the village and I have heard stories of the devilment they engaged in with the General who I would say was even worse than Jabez at times. Mr Venables is of an age with them and he has recounted several stories of what those worthy gentlemen did as lads like us." He chuckled. "If you are wearied of blowing that flute in a lesson with Mr Venables ask him to tell you of the time when there was a steeplechase and those lads sent the riders in the wrong direction and some of them ended slap in the river. Or, better, when the gentry were ready for a hunt and they had found three old horns in a stable loft and sat high up in trees sounding a view halloo from different places and the field was scattered."

Timmy looked perplexed. "I have much to learn," he said quietly.

"But do not forget you have authority, too. You know about herbs," I declared, "I have heard you tell my mother and Mrs Gray quite plainly of the lack of quality of those kept in the kitchen. My cousin Lancelot has questioned you on what might be brought from Cambridge and has promised to take you to the Physick Garden there."

He brightened. "I have my knowledge and it will stand me in good stead, I am sure. It is the actions and speaking of others which confuse me." He shook his head. "I have not forgotten..." He stopped and looked most sad. The memories of that wicked Black Jack must confuse him still more.

"...Timmy, you are living with good friends now. You had friends at the school, also, who would be saddened if you did not succeed. In just those few weeks you were there you had Shem and the others and think of the other Jack, the farrier, who was most willing to have you, almost as if you were a younger brother." I laughed. "Perhaps Jack was not like Isaac and Jacob in being so forward but I heard him laughing and jesting with the others in the stables."

Timmy looked more relaxed. "I am a silly young boy," he said with a smile, "I have lost those good friends but I am happy here and will make others. Even Isaac and Jacob I am sure."

Robin said we should ride back to Careby Hall, not only as it was near the time for luncheon, as we had heard the church clock strike noon, but that Torquil had said he wished to talk with him alone.

We left our mounts with Bobby Brewer at the Hall stable and went along the path with Timmy and I bearing our gifts from Miss Barnes. Before we reached our usual entrance, the door to the kitchen, Timmy stopped.

"Please, Master Tom," he said rather hesitantly, "I would be so content if you consented to look after the boy for me. I wonder if Mrs Bottom might be discomfited by the sight of him."

"You mean as he is unclothed?" I thought more but did not say: 'unclothed and with a hard, sturdy pizzle'!

He nodded. I would certainly keep him safe and I could gaze on that fine carving, too.

"I will keep him in my room on top of the tall chest I have there. You must come and see him whenever you wish especially when I am away at school. You can help when we take him up to rub some of the oil into the wood as Mr Venables instructed." I smiled to myself. I was speaking of the statue as if it were alive. And I would be diligent and rub oil into every part and smile and see if the boy smiled! Perhaps...

We didn't stop in the kitchen other than to beg a piece or two of rag but went speedily up to my bedroom. While Robin and Timmy used one piece each to rub oil into the figure I set both my flutes together and used another shred to make them shine. I took up the new flute and played a few notes. It sounded so good, even better than the one I was used to, which my mother had purchased for me on an earlier visit to London. Robin and Timmy stopped their polishing and listened as I started on that Air from Xerxes by Mr Handel I had performed for my aunt's At Home.

"I can only wait to try my gift, too," Robin said after the pair had praised my recital. "And we must hear Timmy when we return at Easter as I am sure he will have mastered his flute as well."

"Oh, Master Robin, that is something I wish. I blow carefully but it often squeaks so I must persevere until all is smooth so Mr Venables tells me. He is testing me on the stave and where the notes are at my next lesson. That Miss Benbow is to be in the kitchen now and she says she will hear me recite the notes and I will be next to her in the Band with her violin as we have the tune to play."

I laughed. "Is that Kate with the red hair?" I asked, "She is very good and has been in the Band several years now. You say she is in the kitchen as well as Mabel Cutts? I thought they were both with Squire Matthews."

"That is so," said Timmy, "They are learning to be cooks for the Squire as his old cook is to have the next almshouse so I have heard Mr Bottom tell."

I liked village gossip! I gauged Kate to be near twenty now and there were several young men who would court her. She had a fiery temper at times to match her hair but she had a merry laugh otherwise. Mabel was more placid and I had heard she worked well in her own quiet way. She was of an age with Kate. Perhaps Jackson should look their way and leave Prudence to the others!

Once the oiling had been completed Timmy said he must go as he had to help Mr Clements with the luncheon. He thanked us for taking him to Miss Barnes' house. "I will grow some herbs for her as she has been so kind to me." He shook his head. "I am afeared she is not looked after. I smelt that cup she drank from. It was plain water with boiled onion and parsley sieved into it. That would not ease her throat for more than a moment."

Timmy had astounded me again. He had named what was in that strong tea at the stables, now Miss Barnes' elixir was analysed and found wanting.

"You must tell Dr Lancelot what you think," I said, "Miss Barnes needs his attention as soon as possible. No doubt he will be at luncheon and I trust you to tell him her request for a visit."

He smiled as he took his leave. Robin watched him go and after the door was closed said quite quietly "I wish I had half of that boy's gifts. I marvel at his knowledge of herbs even at his age and then the way he senses the responses of those horses. I curse that monster he had for a master..."

I reached out and held his arm. "...Let us sit by the fire for a moment. We will have time to change from our riding clothes before we hear Mr Clements hit the gong but first I have things to tell you."

Over the next five minutes or so I apprised Robin of all Jabez had told me about his dealings with the lodgeboy and his visit to the house in St James' Street. He was amused about the doctor's diagnosis of one cause of Black Jack's raving but was quite open in saying that much of the evil in him was not his fault. He had a father who gulled naive speculators and had a mother who died having been confined in a private madhouse. I said George had told me of how he had been tormented by Black Jack but did not divulge other things I had heard Black Jack confess to. It was enough. "I do not think we have heard the last of that demon," he said and gripped my hand. "He has sworn vengeance and in his own mad way he will not be satisfied until he has had his fill. I trust Jabez will not put himself in danger for if he catches wind that he is being observed there will be trouble."

"My Uncle Digby will have cautioned him to exercise vigilance over any contact with that lodgeboy. We must just wait and see what transpires."

"We have a moment or two left," Robin said more lightheartedly as I finished. "Let us change our clothes as I tell you about our next task." We did not take long before our jerkins and britches were discarded and trousers and a jacket were donned. As we did this he continued talking. "I think we must exercise our expertise at algebra." I saw he was looking at the carving as I was buttoning my trousers. "How tall is that figure?" he asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. I said I thought it must be a good foot high then noted the pile of carpenter's tools by the panelling that had been taken down. "Ah, but we can find out easily," I said, "There is a carpenter's measure here." I pointed to the heap.

"Good," said Robin as he buttoned his jacket.

I watched as he took the statue from atop the chest and placed it on the side table. He then picked up the measuring rod. "While I was rubbing oil on that figure I wondered how long would his pizzle be in real life if that was a well-grown lad? See, it sticks out straight, proud and stiff."

That made me grin so I stood and took a closer look at the tallness and the projection.

"I find he is fourteen inches tall," Robin said placing the rod and looking at the markings across to the top of the boy's head. He moved the rod down. "And that is exactly three-quarters of an inch," he announced. "It is simple now to find its true length for a real boy that tall."

"But how do you know the true height of the lad it is modelled on?" I asked. "If he is fully grown and from that country he might be tall or he might be short."

"Then we must make a reasonable assumption," Robin said. "He has the look of someone quite lean but broad-chested." He smiled at me. "Like your brother Torquil. How tall is he?"

After our discussion with Lancelot about heights of well-grown and well-fed lads he had said he expected me to be the height of my brothers. He knew they were both around five feet nine inches. I said this.

"Then we shall say he is five feet eight inches tall as your brothers are taller than most." He picked up the piece of chalk which had been used to draw those markings on the bare wall. "We need an equation. We will find a result from our measures which will be the length of the real boy's pizzle." He wrote quickly and neatly as he said it. "We can see that fourteen times X equals sixty-eight inches." He muttered to himself as he calculated. I tried the same in my head but he was quicker. "Our measure of X from the statue is three-quarters of an inch so we can reckon first that three times fourteen is forty-two," he said, "Dividing forty-two by four gives ten and a half. Sixty-eight divided by ten and a half?.." He tapped the wall with the chalk as he wrote the division. "...Which is near six and a half inches." He turned and laughed. "Am I correct?" I nodded after he waited a few moments. "So I ask, would that match your brothers as I warrant no boys of my acquaintance show that other than the mighty Jabez?"

I had to laugh. "I have not seen my brothers in that state and it certainly does not match me for I am sure I have more growing to do. I agree that Jabez certainly exceeds that length."

He laughed, too. "Do not boast of thinking you will grow more." He wrinkled his nose. "I think we both have more growing to do, so I cannot taunt you." He laughed again. "And that was good algebra, but we cannot tell Uncle Dodd our use."

"Hunh, your use!" I said, "I have a mind to confess your evil mind to him." I waved a finger at him. "Uncle Dodd, I shall say, that rude Robin has made mock of your teaching. He wishes to know if there are six or eight ballocks to the pound and if he spurts out sixteen inches how many spurts would add up to a furlong?"

He laughed. "With you it would at least thirty to the pound and when have you ever spurted more than six inches let alone sixteen?"

"We sound like Isaac and Jacob," I said, giggling as I knew my spurts when standing reached a good ten or more inches, "There are many measures we could make. How much do we spurt and how much in a week? What is the total distance of two spurts each day of sixteen inches in yards in a month? If a boy spurts thrice each day how many times in a year? I wager it would make mathematics a deal more interesting than finding how many cows can be left to graze a field of ten acres in seven days if six cows eat four square yards a day." We had a problem like that in the last week at school and Bayes and I vied to complete it first. He won!

"Yes, I agree. Perhaps we should write a primer for boys and supply it with a measuring jar, a rule and scales to weigh their cut-off toenails," he said waving the carpenter's rod at me.

That gave me an idea. I had noted my own spurts were getting more copious. I would beg a measuring jar from Lancelot on the pretext I needed it to make exact amounts of any draughts to be dispensed from my apothecary's box. I would then be able to measure my own issues, and Robin's to compare. I was distracted. Why toenails?

There was no more time for this discussion as we heard the sound of the gong. Luncheon was, of course, more important than discourse of matters of an intimate nature. Later, no doubt.

Torquil and Geoffrey were already at the table in the dining room and as we arrived so did my father in conversation with Lancelot. He was telling my cousin about the two lads who had appeared this morning. I heard Lancelot ask him about the appearance of the odd- looking boy who seemed unable to speak. Father said he hoped he would examine him but he looked a lost cause. "If the other can read and write we can find him employment," he said as he sat down. He shook his head wearily. "We will not talk of that man." I knew he meant Mr Cavendish.

He cheered up as platters of roast rib of beef and a big dish of roast potatoes were brought in by Jackson and Eamonn. Mr Clements had jugs of ale to hand and with a flourish supplied us each with a filled tankard. I was fond of mustard with beef and Mrs Gray had mixed a goodly amount with a little honey in a pottery jar. By it's side was a similar jar of pungent shredded horseradish. Both Father and Torquil coughed and spluttered as they had put liberal amounts on their first mouthful. "Ah, that's good," said our father as he regained his breath. "It clears the pipes better than any of your remedies, eh Lancelot?"

Lancelot had taken the mustard mixture and held up a piece of beef dipped in it on his fork. "I would say both make for good digestion but if you like I will prepare a powerful extract of horseradish for any cough you may suffer in this cold weather." Father waved his knife at him and grinned and more horseradish was smeared on his next slice.

After Lancelot had eaten his own piece he looked at me and smiled. "Tom, my tutor at College always said the most potent cure for a cough was a good four ounces of Epsom Salts in a pint of warm water to be taken in a single draught."

I must have looked puzzled. "But that is a remedy to loosen the bowels..." I began.

Torquil guffawed. "Tom, take no notice of him. He said some years ago he would dose me like that when I was racked with a cough. Think, Tom, with such a strong dosage, would you dare cough?"

Robin was giggling. "Tom, that is one more in the armoury of your apothecary's box. I can name at least three at Ashbourne who would benefit from such a cure, cough or no cough!"

I had been gulled. Geoffrey nudged me as I was sitting next to him. "Tom, is it not true that half of thirteen is eight?"

I must be careful, I thought. "Not in my arithmetic," I said, "But perhaps in some wild place in the North for I have heard that counting sheep here in Lincolnshire it is yan, tan, tethera for one, two, three."

"It is the same figuring in Westmoreland, too," said Geoffrey, "Our shepherds say that so quickly it is difficult to follow. But no, I was told the other by our Rector when young. He was telling us about the Romans and the wall they built to keep out the Scots."

My father snorted. "I have heard of that wall. It is clearly no use as we have too many Scotch lawyers around."

"But many good Scotch troopers as you will agree," said Torquil with a grin.

"But...," I began as new conversations were starting, "...Is this to do with the Romans?"

Geoffrey finished chewing. "That is so, Tom. How would you set out thirteen if you were a Roman soldier?"

Luckily Uncle Dodd had shown us how a V stood for five, an X for ten and C for a hundred when we had tried to work the date of the printing of the big Bible in our church.

"I would say that is an X with three Is following. Ten and three make thirteen."

Geoffrey cut another piece of his beef. "Now halve it."

That cutting had given me the answer. "I would halve it lengthwise. That would make a small V with three small Is next to it. That is eight!"

There was a collective groan from Robin, Torquil and Lancelot.

My father was smiling. "That is good. So in the same way half of twelve will be seven. I must ask Alfred if he can solve it." He looked at Robin and me. "You boys are not to divulge that to your uncle. I will have a shilling off him for that and for winning at backgammon last time."

Father and Uncle Dodd's games of backgammon always ended in argument and assuaged in another glass of port or two.

Although quite filled with the beef and potatoes I could not resist a double helping of a steamed treacle pudding, After feeling quite contented and knowing Torquil wished to talk to Robin I went up to my room. The pots had been emptied but it was quite untidy as the bed had not been made nor the rugs straightened. The fire was low and the wood had not been renewed in the bin. Where were Benjy and the twins? Eamonn had served us at table so he was around. Feeling that I was being rather ill-served I set the rest of the logs on the fire and settled in the comfortable armchair and felt rather drowsy as the heat began to rise in the room.

I dozed for a while then lit two candles as the room was getting dark with storm clouds outside. More snow, I thought, and wondered if my mother's journey home would be delayed. If there was snow then a jaunt out to the strange farm would not be possible and Torquil's ride to see the dignitaries would take longer. He had said at luncheon he would have to set off in the morning if he was to see all those on his list. The farm would have to wait until we returned at Easter.

At least I was warm and relaxed. But, as usual, I got restless with no companion at hand. I looked around and then realised that while I had been in London Robin must have used my room as his own as there were two or three books and a sheaf of paper on a table near one of the windows. This did not worry me as he could share whatever was mine. I was curious, though, how he had spent his time.

I noted that one of the books was the first book of the Histories of Herodotus which Robin had laboured over while in the stables at Ashbourne. The sheaf of paper contained his translation of all the pages he had read and I saw he had added notes as well. I looked at the story of Solon and Croesus and their discussion on the happiest of men. Here he had written 'that Croesus questioned a second time and expected that after Tellus had been placed first he himself would be placed second. Instead, Solon answered Cleobis and Biton...' Yes, I had read that with him and remembered that the two athletes had harnessed themselves to an ox-cart to draw their mother to the festival honouring the goddess Juno. He had then noted it had been a distance of forty-five or so furlongs away. '... after the banquet the two youths fell asleep and did not wake again'. In the margin he had scribbled 'forty-five furlongs is just over five and half miles. The ox-cart and mother must have been very heavy! At least the shrine at Delphi was given statues of the pair'. Good. A sense of humour!

I read on and made, I thought, as good headway as he had. Again there were notes in the margin as Solon had calculated the days in a lifetime of seventy years. Robin had done the sums again and did not reach the total Solon quoted. I was too tired to work it through myself and closed the book. I dozed again as the room now was very warm and was disturbed a good time later by Benjy who had entered quietly and was righting the covers on the bed.

"Ah, Master Tom," he said as he saw I was stirring, "There is tea downstairs at four o'clock and it is now gone half past three." I must have slept a good hour which was unusual for me. The journey back from London must have tired me more than I thought. He looked rather concerned as he came over and stood by me. "Are you well? Should I fetch Dr Lancelot when he returns? He has gone out to one of the farmsteads."

So Lancelot was going to see that boy I assumed. "No, Benjy, I am well. I was tired I think after that long journey, though I slept well last night." I noticed he was wearing riding britches. "Where have you been?" I asked.

He looked down at his clothes as he saw me looking there. "I was sent with the twins to the inn to collect Mr Torquil's boxes. The London carrier had left 'em in Stamford on Saturday and Leach brought 'em here today on his way to Grantham. We had to drag that cart all the way back and it was laden. Two boxes and two great bags. Mr Clements says he'll get two of the grooms to carry 'em up to his room. Fair wore out we are!"

I had to laugh. Benjy was as fit as a flea and the twins were a sturdy pair, too. "What you mean is you haven't had a coin or two thrust into your grimy little paws, eh?"

He gave me a sneer and held up two remarkably clean hands. "Dr Lancelot has said we must wash our hands each time we enter the house," he said archly, "And Mrs Gray looks every time. I get my wages every week and anything extra is always welcome."

"Don't look at me, churl," I said but softened, "When my mother arrives I may have a present for you. It depends though on your attentiveness to my needs." That was the wrong thing to say as he burst into laughter.

"I dare not say what they might be," the wretch said through his giggles, "I will have to consult Robin and see if he also requires assistance."

"Benjy," I said quietly, "We will not discuss those things."

His laughter stopped and he looked contrite. "I'm sorry, Master Tom, I spoke out of turn. I know the love you feel for Robin. I only wish I could find likewise. Eamonn is a good friend but it is not the same."

I stood up and went over and hugged him. "Benjy, you'll find a true friend sometime. Do not despair."

I wondered who? The twins seemed joined hip and thigh. There were the two others in the kitchen now but they were friends together. There was Timmy but he seemed to be content with his own company at present. Who would be a good match for our faithful Benjy?

He said I should go down or I would miss my tea. He forbore from mentioning my liking for food but he did say he had heard Robin and Torquil talking together in the parlour when Mr Clements had gone in to say the boxes and other things had arrived. Tea, he announced, would be in the drawing room. I asked about Geoffrey. He said he didn't know where he might be though my father had gone down to the stables again so he might have accompanied him. I think my father approved of Geoffrey and his open manner. I did, too, and could see so much of him in his younger brother. Although I relished being home I was, in many ways, looking forward to my return to Ashbourne and the company of George and Theo.

Eamonn was in charge of serving tea. He had been well-trained by Mr Clements and I was soon tucking into a good slab of cake and washing it down with a proper tasting tea. I wondered if I could ever have got used to London ways and the fads and fancies there.

Torquil and Robin must have heard the rattle of teacups as they came in next with Torquil's arm over Robin's shoulder. After being served they sat together opposite me and Torquil seemed very happy. Eamonn bowed his head and left us to gossip and chat.

"Tom, I must tell you that I have learned so much about Robin in the course of these two hours or so and I feel privileged to call him my son. There were years of neglect on my part but I knew in my heart he was well-cared for and loved. I have had to keep my distance from Jenny, but she was my first love. Steven has been an excellent foster-father for him and I have only the greatest praise for him." He looked down at his son. "My dear Robin surpasses any expectations I may have ever had of what he might be."

Robin was smiling but slowly shook his head. "Father, you must not expect too much. I am young and must make my own way as best I can. I realise I may not want for anything now within this family but I get confused sometimes of my allegiances and my duties. There is a family I love and cherish, and there is Tom who I love with all my heart and soul and whose brother I can also love and cherish as my true father. Forgive me my bewilderment but I have had to come to terms with so much in such a short time."

Torquil put an arm round his shoulder and hugged him tight. "You are luckier than most for you have two families who love and cherish you." He kissed his cheek. "You are my son and Steven Goodhew is also your father. Never forget that."

"I cannot and I will not," Robin replied quietly.

Torquil looked at me directly. "Tom, no doubt there will be discussion with young Cedric but I can tell you I have confessed all to Elizabeth." He smiled. "Nay, she said I had no confession to make and she wants to meet 'our Robin' as she said. I think her brother is secretly pleased he will be an uncle as soon as I marry his sister." He tapped Robin on the arm. "There will not be many lads at Ashbourne who have two uncles to keep an eye on them."

"When do you plan to marry?" I asked.

He put a finger to his lips. "You must not tell our mother as I may be in Stamford or Peterborough when she returns on Wednesday and I must inform her myself. But I will tell you both now as I had already told Terence before I left London. I spoke to James and he is to arrange it with the Dean for the Saturday after Easter Day, the fourteenth of April and he sees no difficulty with that arrangement. Elizabeth's mother is in agreement for St Paul's and that date, but we shall have to obtain a special licence from Doctors' Commons and Banns will need to be called here and in her parish. If the Dean is also agreeable then Uncle Dodd will be asked to perform the ceremony. What with cousin Rass and our brother-in-law in gowns and bands as well it should be quite a family ceremony." He laughed. "And there will be a squabble between our two chaplains in the Regiment. We have one for all those Scotch Presbyterians as well as the Reverend Bristow for those of our persuasion. We will have to see if the Reverend Kennedy will not be too provoked to denounce those who take communion with the demon drink but will attend in a quiet and seemly manner. He is a fly old bird and well-liked otherwise. I have made good friends with one or two officers of the Scotch regiment also at the London barracks and they will make a colourful addition as well."

"And can we all attend?" I asked thinking another journey to London was something to savour as well, except for the stink.

"I guarantee you and my Robin will be Maids of Honour..."

The illustrious Major of Horse and trusted aide-de-camp to a knighted General was then set upon by two outraged young ruffians who caused a screeching and squealing quarry to call 'Pax' after being tickled and pummelled into submission. He was quite out of breath but sat back from the floor to the sofa and smiled delightedly. "I had quite forgotten how sensitive youths are to slights on their manliness. But you both will be there with all the family."

But if Robin was to attend...? There were unanswered and possibly unanswerable questions to be considered.

"Now let us be sensible," Torquil said with a grin. "I hope lips can be sealed as father must be kept in the dark as well. I hear there is to be a dinner on Saturday evening and I should be back from my journeys that afternoon. I am hoping there might be a letter for me by then as the Dean was being consulted yesterday. If so, I hope I will be able to tell our mother before dinner and make an announcement at the table."

"So when are you off to charm those Mayors and dignitaries as you said?"

"I hear my boxes have arrived so I must be off tomorrow and first to Stamford. I will take Geoffrey with me. I am sure my spare clothes should fit him as we are of a size. He wants to come as he will learn how we have to bow and scrape to the gentry around here. He says he is more used to the bowing and scraping being the other way round."

"That is interesting," I said, "No one bows and scrapes to his brother at school."

"I would say if any boy puts on airs and graces at school he is likely to end up with his britches on the flagpole, eh?"

I said I hadn't seen that but other than Jopling's asides and the treatment of servants by others I was not aware of any great frictions among my fellows.

"I think you are lucky being chosen for Mr Ridley's House. I know he would not countenance any behaviour which is not that of a gentleman."

"That Mr Cavendish does not sound like a gentleman then," I said, thinking of the pair who had been cast out of their home.

Torquil stiffened. "If duels were not banned I would call him out for his actions," he said quietly then was silent for a moment. "Tom, and you Robin, remember that a gentleman knows how to behave even if he is of the highest in the land and meets any of the lowliest station."

Robin smiled. "I have experienced one side of the fence I hope I may succeed on the other side."

Torquil smiled at his son beside him. "You will!"

To be continued: