Tom Browning's Schooldays
By
Joel
Chapter Fifty Three
It was decided that a visit to the church was necessary the next day and that Robin would ask his brother to find what else he had written about the Hall without divulging the reason. On looking out we saw that it was now raining so we spent time showing Branscombe rooms which were closed and rarely used. Branscombe was most intrigued when we told him about the mystery Philip's measurements of the Hall had revealed. It was with difficulty we dissuaded him from going to Mr Clements for the key to the cellar. We were ready for more sustenance at four o'clock and I said we should go the Library as tea would be served there. Robin and Branscombe went ahead as Benjy and Eamonn came into the passageway with the trolley.
I waited until Benjy was level with me and silently indicated he should stay and Eamonn go on. I wanted to ask more questions of what had happened while we had been at School so we tarried in the passageway.
"That man in the lockup, has he gone to Boston?" was my first query.
Benjy smiled. "Your Uncle Dodd gave him three shillings from the Poor Box and sent him on his way and told him not to return. Mr Johnson saw him to the next village and said he was swearing all the way but we have not heard of him since." He then shook his head. "Perhaps I should say that is not quite true as my father thinks he saw him in Stamford some two weeks after and that is quite a wrong direction for Boston." He nodded before I asked any more. "About that other business in which those two young men were beaten. That is all clear now. Your uncle did the right thing as the culprits were in that village in Rutland and so the constable there arrested them. They were threatened with the Assizes and confessed. It was over some girl and there is a marriage to take place." He made curved movements over his belly so it was clear she was with child. He was in full flow. "Then those horse-stealing villains who injured Mr Jarvis are to be sentenced at the Hilary Assizes in Lincoln with that man who was wanted for thieving all over the place. My father says they'll all be transported or rot in prison for years."
"So Liam and his cousin were lucky not to be accused as well?"
Benjy smiled. "I have heard nothing but praise for either of them. Mr Goodhew had that Liam here to make good a stone lintel and left him to finish the carving near the end. You could not tell now what is old and what is new. The other one draws up letters for that lawyer who is always here and I heard him tell your father he was glad to have him in his employ."
I laughed. "Benjy, you have answered all my questions before I asked them!"
He grinned and bowed his head. "I try my best to please." He looked conspiratorial. "I overheard you have found something interesting."
I nudged his arm. "Benjy, listening at doors? But no, young Freddy found it. When we are alone I will show you."
He glanced up at me. "Is it something not to be discussed?"
I tossed my head. "Not at the moment but we may need help." I put my finger to my lips. "We are visiting the church tomorrow and we might know more then." I held my finger up. "There might be a little task for you after that."
It was his turn to toss his head. "It is like a mystery in one of those penny papers."
"Penny papers?"
He laughed. "My father had a bundle for Mr Flaxman at the Arms. He says they draw in more custom. Some are full of stories of murders and thieving and journeys to strange lands but there are mysteries as well. Looking for hidden gold was one I read."
"You must tell me about that sometime but we had better find what the others are doing," I said pointing to the open door of the Library.
Robin and Branscombe were standing each with a filled teacup and looking intently once again at that beautiful plate of the boy with the hare and the copy made by Philip. Branscombe beckoned me over.
"Tom, I have asked Robin if Freddy and I could ask his brother to make us copies of the boy with the hare. Would that be impertinent do you think? I would pay him gladly but what should I offer?"
Robin was smiling. "I do not think my brother has ever drawn anything he did not want to." He shook his head then. "As far as I know he has never asked for a penny for any of the drawings he has made. He has given them away quite freely." He laughed. "My father is the only one to grumble as he has to buy the paper Philip uses but he does it good- naturedly."
"Why not just ask him and say you are willing to recompense him for his time and effort," I said. I knew that Philip was rarely without a pencil and a piece of paper handy and took the greatest delight in sketching anything that caught his interest.
They walked to the comfortable sofa near the fire and sat while I looked at the array of small cakes and pastries accompanying the empty cups on the trolley. I indicated a cake and a pastry and sat beside Branscombe who looked at the plate which Eamonn handed to me.
"I would have the same," he said as Eamonn took up a plate for him. Benjy had already placed two cakes and a pastry on a plate for Robin who very quickly devoured the first cake before Branscombe had noticed.
Nothing was said as we sat contentedly and emptied our plates and cups. As Eamonn filled our cups for a second time so Freddy appeared at the door accompanied by Marie, my mother's maid. On seeing us she whispered something to Freddy and disappeared. He had such a happy look on his face.
"I can only wish I may learn more while I am here," he said as he sat beside Branscombe with Benjy placing a plate with two small cakes on the occasional table near him. "Mrs Browning says I am progressing well." He turned to me now with a beseeching look. "Please would you ask Mr Pretyman if I might speak to Mrs Dimbleby. I have some shillings I could pay her if she would teach me more."
Branscombe patted him on the knee. "I am sure Tom would do as you wish but he said he will speak to her himself. I do not think Mrs Dimbleby would want any payment. Wait and see and I am sure all will come right."
Freddy smiled again. "Everyone is most kind. I must tell grandpapa but I will not put anything in my letter to my mother. I will not tell her I am to go to London as she would forbid it I am sure." He looked over at Robin. "I must keep that drawing of me safely. Is there a present I could give Master Philip for it?"
Robin smiled back at him. "I am sure my brother is most satisfied with your thanks but we may find something while we are in London." When he said that I thought it might also solve Branscombe's problem.
Freddy shook his head. "I have not been to London. That boy Natty said he had been to the Tower and a museum and Lawson says the city is full of other big buildings. Are there shops?"
Robin nodded. "There are many shops and they all sell wonderful things. You must wait and see and you will no doubt spend all your shillings!"
Freddy looked at his feet. He had on my old but shiny shoes. "I must have new shoes but I do not know what they may cost."
"Do not worry, Freddy," I said, "I will speak to my mother and she will deal with such matters. Both Robin and I will need new things as well and Master Branscombe is growing fast, too."
Branscombe grinned at me. "I think there will be a general visit to one of those shops for all of us."
Freddy looked more relieved after this and tucked into the food on his plate. Eamonn brought the cakestand to us again and another cake or pastry disappeared. As all had eaten enough we had to decide how we could while away the time before our dinner which Benjy said would be at seven o'clock. I said I had cards and books in the bedroom so we could either read or play a game of loo or whist.
As we went upstairs Freddy seemed a little apprehensive and I heard Branscombe ask him if he was still worried about his need for new shoes. I heard him whisper that his mother did not let him play cards. I think we were hearing enough about his mother and her restrictions on the poor boy. To allay any further qualms he might have I found among the books I had brought from London one with illustrations of wild animals around the world. This pleased him mightily and he was soon curled up by the fire reading avidly. We three older ones were noisy as we played three-handed whist making up some rules as we went along. We soon tired of this and as we played discussed what we might see when in London. Branscombe said he really wanted to go to Greenwich to see the Naval Hospital there which his father had pronounced to be most fine. This caught Freddy's attention and to amuse him we made a list of other things to see which were quite spurious like 'King Charles' Head', 'Dick Whittington's Cat', 'Achilles' Heel' and 'Queen Boadicea's crown'.
I did say that Uncle Digby Wright had many interesting curios in his room which made Branscombe laugh and he pointed up at the wooden statue. "Even more than this!" he said which made Freddy look up.
"What is that?" he asked and as Branscombe stood and lifted it down from the top of the tall chest he burst out laughing. "That is like Lawson! He acts like an African when I tell him about my Grandfather's adventures. Grandfather says the natives go to hunt quite naked carrying those long spears." He giggled. "All Lawson has for a spear is one of Mr Pretyman's walking sticks and little Pilbrow is the hunted deer."
"Does he hunt naked like that?" Robin asked.
"Oh, yes! He puts a bed sheet over his shoulder and stalks his prey while I tell the tales. I should not say, but he sticks up, not out like that black fellow!" We all laughed as Freddy pointed to the substantial rigid peg. He had more to relate. "Pilbrow likes being hunted. He squeals when Lawson catches him and pokes the spear into him. Barnstable just sneered onetime and said we were no better than the natives themselves playing games like that. He squealed when we rolled him in a coverlet and pulled his britches off and Lawson speared him like a young pig. He didn't sneer then as he is not so big as Lawson though or me though we are of an age." He smiled. "He does join in now though he keeps his britches on."
I wondered if I might say about George's game of Quarterstaffs but thought better of it though it would have been a fine contest for all Lawson's friends to experience! Robin then told him about Timmy and that the carving was a gift to him from Miss Barnes. Freddy nodded as he remembered seeing Timmy at Ashbourne when he had visited the stable there. He was intrigued with the story of how he was now at Careby but Black Jack's evil ways were not related other than he had been expelled after drunkenness. There must have been discussion even among the Whelps as Freddy said he had heard the disturbance that night with people carrying lanterns going past the House. We waited but he did not ask if Timmy ever went naked, nor if he had a pizzle to match!
Time was now passing quickly and we had tidied ourselves just as Benjy tapped on the door to escort us down to the Library. Jackson and the twins were already there in ordinary grey livery. Jackson announced that the dinner would be a little later as my father had been called to the stables but had just arrived back and my mother and Aunt Matty were looking through a parcel of dresses brought by the carrier. It was then we heard voices in the passageway. I heard my father laughing with my Uncle Dodd but four figures came through the door. The older pair preceded Philip who had Eamonn, also in grey livery, behind him carrying a bundle of rolls of paper. We four stood and waited.
"Ah, Alfred, I thought we might be in time before those youngsters attacked the sherry," my father said as soon as he stepped into the room. "I am very partial to a glass after dealing with such as Wagstaffe and his crew." He turned to Philip. "Young O'Meara can put your burden over there and tell those ruffians to make a place for you on that sofa." That was a signal to sit. Eamonn was on the mark. He took the rolls of paper to a table and returned to stand beside Jackson and the other footmen. Jackson was quick off the mark, too. Two glasses of fine Amontillado were placed on a silver tray and taken to my father and Uncle Dodd who were now standing warming themselves in front of the fire. Neither were in evening dress with father in a half-decent frock coat, which he kept in a closet in the passage, and Uncle Dodd in his ordinary clergyman's cutaway coat. Both had come from other duties I was sure.
My father looked at the five of us perched rather precariously in line on the sofa having made a little room for Philip. "Look at those poor things, Alfred, lined up there like young sparrows in the nest waiting for a tasty worm for their supper. Do you think a small glass to moisten their throats before the ladies appear and we make our peace would not be amiss?"
Uncle Dodd surveyed us. "As long as it does not lead to that raucous singing I have heard at the Varley Arms at times."
My father's eyebrows shot up. "Have you been frequenting Flaxman's tavern?"
Uncle Dodd smiled. "I do have occasion to see my parishioners there when needed and I find a glass of ale helps matters when they are delicate as this afternoon."
My father snorted. "I shall need more than that to straighten my path tonight." He looked over at Jackson. "Something sweet for the two young ones and the others may try this."
Oh! I had only been allowed some of the fragrant Amontillado on one other occasion. I did find it rather biting at first on the tongue, my brother Terence said it was 'sec', or dry, but the taste after that was quite exquisite. Five glasses were handed round on the silver tray. It was the turn for Branscombe's eyebrows to raise as he took a tentative sip. A quiet 'Ooh' came moments later as he savoured the experience.
My father's glass was empty and Jackson was immediately there with the decanter. "You're a good lad, too. No waiting for those who thirst." He raised his glass and took a sip. "So, how have you wasted your afternoon?" my father directed his question to Cedric who by this time realised my father was not as fierce as he sometimes sounded.
"Sir, we have discussed many things and also looked at the preparations for the closets. I will describe them to my father as I have experienced those at Sir Digby's in London. It would be good if they were commonplace I am sure."
My father harumphed. "It is the upheaval in a place like this." He paused. "And the expense!"
Uncle Dodd laughed. "Do not complain, Sam, you will be toast of the county. There are few who can boast of such convenience. You will be visited by all and sundry eager to encounter such comfort..."
"...and eat and drink and cause me further expense." He paused to take another sip of the sherry. "Now to business," he said after he had swallowed that, "I half-promised Matthews we would have a dinner here on Saturday after the Hunt and I have forgotten to warn my dear wife and we shall be off to London on Monday." He paused and took a larger sip.
Uncle Dodd laughed. "And how many would that entail?"
"The dinner or the journey?"
"Do not be contrary, Sam, you know full well I mean the dinner. It cannot be many as most will ride away to their homes immediately."
Father shrugged his shoulders. "Now comes my problem. I was called to the stables this afternoon as Wagstaffe was there wanting three more hunters. In a feeble moment I did suggest Wagstaffe and Lady Blanche might care to remain for dinner after the Hunt..."
I could see Uncle Dodd was not impressed. "...and that friend of his, Gowring, no doubt was with him?" Father shrugged again. "I do not think Mrs Browning will be pleased," Uncle Dodd said with a shake of his head.
I think we were all agog at this conversation. I had not heard prospective dinner guests discussed before. I thought better than to make any comment. I glanced over at Jackson who screwed his eyes up. Then I remembered. Mr Gowring had been entertained once before when I was much younger and had on his arm a rather over-painted lady in a very bright and decorated dress with feathers at the shoulders. I had not been at the dinner but had watched the guests arrive from the safety of the stairs and had overheard comments later from a footman who had moved away to another household. These were not very complimentary about that lady and her manners towards the servants. I remembered one remark that the 'person', which immediately put her in a very low station, had 'less breeding than a broomstick'. Later I had asked Jackson, who was my 'valet' at the time, what he had meant and he had shrugged, just like father tonight, and said at least a broomstick was useful and 'the Madame' as he called her had spent the entire evening complaining. The food was either too hot, or too much, and her glass was not filled promptly. She had brought her fan to the table and had poked her neighbour, the Squire, in the face more than once as she waved it around. As Mrs Matthews had looked as dowdy as usual Jackson had said the proud peacock had made some remark, while surveying her dress, about country fashion as not being as forward as that of London. This had shocked the other ladies present who were all 'country'.
My father looked at me across from where he was sitting. "No word to your mother about the dinner, my boy, I will try to make peace." Uncle Dodd laughed. He did not enlighten us about his afternoon and the delicate matter.
Cedric was obviously as transfixed as I was over the tenor of the discussion. "Are there to be many at the dinner?" he asked. "Is it to be most formal as my best tail suit will be in London when I get there?"
My father laughed. "My boy, it is a dinner in the country, with country manners. I will not outdo Wagstaffe who has more hunting jackets than a man should possess but seemingly little else. I shall be comfortable in what I wear as we have said before."
Freddy was looking rather bemused by all this. I could not ask if he would be present with so many older folk attending. In fact I was assuming that I, with Robin and Branscombe would be present as father had not said nay when Cedric had made his enquiry. It was something to question my mother about once peace had been made.
Nothing more was said on the matter but as soon as my father had finished his glass he smiled at Philip. "You have documents and drawings to show what will be happening here while we cavort in London town."
Philip smiled back. He stood and went to the large table on which the rolls of paper had been placed. "Sir, my father has made sure all measures are correct and he will be in charge of all the work. There is little new here which has not been discussed but I have ventured to make a drawing or two extra for the carvings." He picked up one of the smaller rolls and brought it nearer to us where the candlelight was brighter. He undid one piece and handed the rest to his brother to hold. We all stood as he held up the drawing. It was a much enlarged copy of the hare and was very carefully done. He reached out and took a second piece. This time it was of a swan. "I took a crust of bread to the river and the swan looked most elegant and kept close while I drew her. You will see that in both I have made the lines simple for a carver to copy," he said. "I must decide what other creatures or things I should draw ready for all the rooms though there is a foal and a dove already done as well."
My father laughed. "You have done well, my boy. How many will there be? A round dozen, eh?" Philip nodded as my father took the drawing of the swan from him. "I can only hope a carver can match this."
"My father says we should engage an Italian carver he knows of in Bedford. He has seen work of his and will ask your permission to show him my drawings and ask his prices."
My father handed back the drawing and held up his hands. "You may do as you wish." Whatever the carving would cost would no doubt be more than matched by what Sir Montgomery Wagstaffe would be paying for three fine hunters! Philip was still smiling as he replaced the paper on the table and rejoined us on the sofa.
There was now the sound of female chatter before my mother and Aunt Matty swept in preceded by Mr Clements with a sconce of candles to light their way. As often happened she and Aunt Matty were quite animated about something. We all stood as the ladies surveyed us, our glasses in hand. My mother gave us boys a quizzical look then turned to Mr Clements. "Please do sound the gong."
I looked at my father and tried to raise my eyebrows. He pursed his lips slightly. "My dear," he said addressing my mother, "My stomach calls me straight way to the table." Freddy put down his now-empty glass and went to my mother offering his arm.
My mother looked at him and smiled. "Are you the youngest?"
Freddy looked up at her. "I shall be thirteen on Easter Monday."
"That is my birthday, too!" whispered a startled Philip.
This caused great merriment as Freddy left my mother's side and hugged Philip. "You are my twin I am sure!" he said as he was hugged back. "I have always wanted a brother," he added.
"Then you could not choose a better sibling," Uncle Dodd said and patted both on their backs.
Philip was not to be outdone. "I would have to question you carefully on all your likes and dislikes but I would accept you from what I have seen and heard already. There is another question to ask as we have not decided who is the elder but I was born before midday so my mother has told me."
Freddy nodded. "My father laughs and says I upset his luncheon so you are older by an hour or so." He turned to my mother. "Madam, may I escort you?"
Amidst more laughter Philip bowed to my aunt and we all processed to the dining- room.
Philip and Freddy sat either side of my mother at her end of the table and Cedric and Robin were with my aunt towards the middle of one side with Uncle Dodd and me opposite them. I listened as Uncle Dodd told my father that the delicate incident at the Varley Arms was over a young couple who had eloped and had been followed by the girl's father who was more than angry. Flaxman, the inn-keeper, had become alarmed as the man was making threats and had a pistol. He knew it was no use trying to get the drunken constable involved so had sent for Uncle Dodd as both the Justice of the Peace and a clergyman.
It transpired that the young woman, of no more than twenty, had been promised to the son of a neighbour and a dowry of some ten thousand pounds had been agreed. The girl was adamant she would not marry the man who was over thirty and of uncertain temperament. I took that to mean he liked his drink. The young man she was with was still a student at Cambridge but was the elder son of a genteel, if poorer, family and was due to inherit some five hundred acres under his grandfather's Will.
As a deal of the shouting had taken place in public in the inn the whole matter would, no doubt, be common knowledge in the village within hours Uncle Dodd said. He had managed to get the three parties involved into a private room where the girl's father had quietened down. It was a clear case of love or money my Uncle said. It transpired that the father did not like the intended husband nor his family but he wanted his daughter settled. There had been a fearful row on the Saturday night and the girl had ridden off to the boy's home near Saffron Walden early on Sunday morning. They decided to ride to Scotland to get married there and he left a message for his parents who had then taken fright but delayed contacting the other family. The others had already discovered the daughter had gone and the two fathers had met half way between their homes. After words were exchanged - here Uncle Dodd laughed and said he was glad duelling was now frowned upon - the girl's father rode off post-haste finding plenty of people on the way who had seen the pair galloping along.
They had money so were able to get fresh horses and had stayed the night in separate rooms in a hostelry north of Cambridge then had set off again at dawn. They had lost their way and had taken a wrong road which led them to Careby with the need for fresh steeds. Here the father had caught up with them. What was to be done?
From the amused looks which passed between my father and Uncle Dodd a sensible conclusion had been reached. The father realised that his daughter would be unhappy with the arrangement of her life; the man's wife was also unhappy because the girl was her only and thus most-cherished daughter; the man's son was the best friend of the young man involved and was also at Cambridge with him; so all in all it was decided to send the girl to a favourite great-aunt in Surrey who had no children and needed a companion and heiress, though the last was only hinted at. Uncle Dodd also said that after all the commotion the pistol was not loaded or he would have had to issue a warrant for the man's arrest!
My father laughed at the end of the tale and held up his glass of claret as if to toast Uncle Dodd. "Let us drink to a happy conclusion and to your good sense as well for no doubt you made the decisions for them. Where are the errant pair at present?"
Uncle Dodd held up his glass, too. "The girl is with her father at the Varley Arms and he will hire a coach in the morning and speed her to the great-aunt's house near Windsor." He laughed. "The boy is at the Rectory under the watchful eye of Mr Simpson and being fed rabbit stew by Mrs Reynolds who thinks he is half-starved. He is at Pembroke and I know his tutor so he will be no trouble. I will see him on his way home tomorrow!" He and my father both drank from their glasses and held them ready to be filled again.
As Jackson brought the decanter to him my father saw me looking and smiling as it was a good tale. "That boy's ears have been flapping more than the sails on Brady's windmill. Let us hope some unwitting father will settle a good dowry on any poor wench he might flatter and charm as the cost of keeping him clothed and fed for the next twenty years is more than any father should endure."
I put on an innocent face. "Father, does that mean I can go my own way with your support until I am thirty, perhaps? That would be sixteen years so I promise not to be a burden for the last four years of the twenty."
"Wretch! That tongue of yours is flapping again as well." He beckoned Jackson. "Let the boy have more claret as supping it will keep his jaws and tongue active." He smiled as he shook his head. At least my words also meant that Branscombe and Robin had their glasses filled as well.
We had finished dinner but had not left the table when a dishevelled and exhausted Lancelot appeared. He was most apologetic but explained he had been called to three different patients, miles apart, since luncheon and had just ridden from Witham on the Hill where an injured man had died. Aunt Matty gave him one of her looks and he did not elaborate. He did say to Uncle Dodd, between mouthfuls of the dinner he was then served, that the new curate from Witham would be arriving on Saturday week to take the services both here and for Rass's parishioners on the Sunday while we were all away and Mrs Reynolds needed to be warned as he would be staying at the Rectory for two nights. Lancelot said he had met him and he was a most personable young man.
I had mentioned to Philip we would be visiting the church in the morning as I, prevaricating, wanted to show Branscombe and Freddy the Varley monument and to play the organ. He asked if he might come as he was willing to pump the bellows. It was agreed. I recollected that we could also look in the Parish Registers in the vestry for any Edwards and Williams who might match our surmised dates as well as look for any other monuments or inscriptions of which there were plenty.
So, in the morning we were ready after breakfast to start our explorations. I had remembered we should not be too early as Uncle Dodd would be saying his Daily Office and Aunt Matty had said last night, when giving me the key to the organ, that we should not disturb him if we went after nine o'clock.
Even before Philip appeared we had found what we wanted. We had not bothered with the Varley monument but scanned the more than a dozen wall plaques and small carved urns with inscriptions in niches. Cedric was the first to notice two almost identical memorials. Each was about ten feet up on the South wall of the chancel and were close together. Both were white marble with a raised border and plain black lettering. Cedric read out the first:
'Sacred to the memory of our beloved son Edward Hurst Sheridan
who died at Calcutta on the 13th day of August 1757 whilst in the service
of the Honourable East India Company aged 26 years.'
"He died young, poor fellow. I warrant he had a fever," he said shaking his head. "When Miss Barnes said about her father and that Company I remembered my father saying that many young men did not return from India."
"Look at the next," I said pointing eagerly. It must have been carved by the same mason as the lettering was identical. I read:
'To the enduring memory of Lieutenant William Sheridan Matthews of His
Majesty's Royal Navy who died January 1760 aged 29 years when his
ship had foundered off the Bahamas. A Loving Son and Gallant Officer.'
"That is only three years later," I said having noted the dates and also made the calculations of their ages in 1747. "That is the second I am sure."
Robin was looking intently at the inscription. "I would agree that is the William and he must have been kin to the Squire's family. They have owned land here for generations."
Before I could say any more Philip came hurrying through the vestry door. He saw us staring up at the memorials and came and stood beside Robin.
"What do you know of these, Philip?" Robin asked pointing upwards to the pair.
"Why do you ask?" the inquisitive lad enquired, "Has the Squire decided to have his father's memorial made to place under those?"
Robin shook his head. "Nothing has been said by Mr Matthews but the William named there must have been kin."
Philip laughed. "That is so, he was the Squire's uncle," he pointed up as well. "Look at the one by its side for Edward Sheridan. He was also the Squire's uncle. Careby Hall was then owned by the Sheridan family and those two were cousins."
"So a Matthews married a Sheridan?" I asked.
"That is so, and a Hurst married a Sheridan," Philip answered. "I have seen the marriages and the births as recorded in the Parish Registers when I was helping James to make his history. They are in the parish chest in there." He indicated the closed vestry door. "Mr Thatcher has the key to the box and is loath to let anyone touch them. Why are you interested?
I was afraid young Freddy might blurt out about his finding of the drawing but I could see Branscombe was gripping his arm as a caution.
"That is something which will have to wait until later," Robin said as Uncle Dodd came through the vestry door into the aisle where we were standing. He was accompanied by a young man in rather worn riding clothes.
"I heard you were all seen coming here," Uncle Dodd said with a smile, "Let me introduce a young traveller." He turned to the young man. "Rufus Pennington of Pembroke College these are either kin or friends and I leave them to introduce themselves."
So this was the troubled swain. He did manage to smile at my uncle's strange introduction and I looked at him as each in turn from Cedric along to me bowed our heads and said our names. He was a handsome young man with a shock of fair hair and a winning smile now the ice was broken. He said nothing as Uncle Dodd looked along the line we were standing in.
"Ah, you are all assembled, am I to hear you play?" This was directed at Robin and me as all of us had turned to face him.
"I have offered to pump," Philip said.
Branscombe smiled at me over Freddy's head. "Later, then!" he mouthed.
To be continued:
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