Tom Browning's Schooldays
By
Joel
Chapter EightyOne
We stared at Bobby then, without further questions, the four of us rushed round to the back entrance to the Hall. There was a quiet hubbub going on. The three youngsters were standing outside Mr Clements' Butler's Room discussing matters with strange looks on their faces. They were trying to look serious but trying not to laugh at the same time.
Robin was first in and went up to Philip. "What happened? Who did it?"
As the boys had said they were going to practice using the old bows and arrows he must have assumed one of them had shot Mr Button.
Philip held up both hands in defence. "It was Mr Nicholas!" We heard then that cousin Nicholas and Cornelius Button had seen the boys with the bows and arrows and had told them about the Red Indians in America who still used them and could be very dangerous to unwary travellers. They also used them to hunt game for their food. Nicholas had offered to demonstrate how the Red Indians danced and shot their arrows. First he got the boys to find some pheasant feathers which, to their amusement, he had stuck into his hair. He then took a bow and arrow and did what he called a War Dance and shot the arrow in the air. He said all were laughing except Cornelius Button for the arrow came down and struck him in the leg. Philip tried to keep a serious face but could not help but grin as he told that Mr Button had gone into a copse of trees to relieve himself. Unfortunately the arrow, shot high in the air, had descended into the trees and he with trousers unbuttoned and lowered had received the arrow in his thigh. He had cried out and the boys had crowded round but Nicholas had told them to stand back for they had seen the arrow stuck in his leg and there was blood. Nicholas had helped Cornelius hobble to where he was now lying down. As luck would have it Lancelot was in the Hall and was dealing with the injury.
The door was shut so we dare not enter. Benjy appeared with a pitcher of boiling water which he was carefully holding with a thick cloth covering the handle. George knocked and opened the door and we tried to peer in as Benjy entered the room. The door was swiftly closed and we heard a groan before it shut. The boys' expressions changed. They all looked most serious now.
George was in charge. "It is to no purpose to stand here," he said. "We can do nothing until told more."
We filed silently along to the breakfast room after doffing our cloaks and hats. The boys were asked to tell what had happened again. John Harrison was still holding one of the arrows. It was a wooden rod some two feet long and had been whittled to a sharp point with feathers stuck to the other end. Philip said the bows and arrows were found amongst the lumber in the cellar when it was cleared and had been put in the Hall stables. Two of the bows had been taken to Mr Venables who said they were very old and he had replaced the strings which had perished and snapped. Uncle Dodd had agreed with Mr Venables on their antiquity and had told James that there had been laws passed in King Edward's day in the thirteen hundreds that archery had to be practised on a Sunday. He was sure there were more laws on the subject in Queen Elizabeth's time and he would consult his lawyer friend at Cambridge to find if the Acts were still extant. Knowing Uncle Dodd he would find some humour in telling the boys they must still practise the skill if his friend said the Acts had not been repealed.
Eamonn came along to the room and announced that because of the turmoil our luncheon would be late. This was of little matter as we were all concerned that Mr Button was not badly injured but George did say that a flesh wound in the leg from an arrow was not as destructive as a bullet from a pistol would have been. He said no more for the memory of Black Jack's aiming such a weapon at him must have surfaced.
However, we did not have to wait long for Eamonn and the twins brought the usual tureens and platters and we were served good slices of fowl in a white sauce with boiled potatoes as accompaniment. It was while we were eating that I had my first sight of my cousin Nicholas. He came into the room and before introductions were made he announced that little damage had been done to his friend. It was Philip who then did the honours and, as protocol demanded, George was introduced first. Francis Clifford was next for he was also a Viscount's son, finally his cousin and nephew were looked over and shaken by the hand. It was all very formal and I hoped such a mood would not remain. He said he was so sorry the accident had happened. He praised the speedy way in which cousin Lancelot had removed the arrow and had cleansed the wound. It was about an inch deep in the thigh muscle. This description made us flinch somewhat but he said Lancelot was sure no lasting damage had been done.
While he was speaking I was studying my cousin carefully. He was taller than my brothers and quite thin. I recognised in his facial features something resembling those of Mr Tuckwell. I knew he was his father but had been accepted as a son by my Uncle Digby. I could also see a resemblance to my cousin Rosamund when he smiled which must have come from my Aunt Fanny's lineaments. He was for all this, though, as much a member of our family as my own dear Robin, my nephew.
He asked to be excused as he must find another pair of trousers for Cornelius's present pair were blood-stained. There was little to say on his departure for our luncheon must not get cold! It was while we were having a second helping that Lancelot came into the room. I noted he had clean hands so must have washed any blood away. He was smiling and said he had made Cornelius comfortable and had given him a weak draught of poppy juice to reduce any hurt.
"I would aver that arrow will go to America as a reminder of their visit. Mr Button is not angry, just startled that such a thing could happen." He sat and joined us in our repast. We were making inroads into a plum tart when Nicholas reappeared supporting Mr Button on his arm as he was limping.
Introductions had to be made again and this time by Nicholas who showed his good memory of titles and names. We were told Mr Button was descended from one of the Pilgrim families which had sailed to America in the early sixteen hundreds. He had been born in Boston and had attended a college in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to study law. We were smiling as there was a Boston also here in Lincolnshire and that Cambridge must have been named after the Cambridge not so many miles away. It was explained the early settlers had founded numerous towns which often echoed the names they had left behind, but that other names came from the tribes who had inhabited the area such as the Massachusetts people. Cornelius, as he said we must call him, then told us that Massachusetts was one of the original thirteen States of the Union and new states had been added and more were still being settled and named.
Cornelius told us his father was a lawyer but he had then decided to study architecture for there was much building being done in the new republic. He had met cousin Nicholas when staying in New York and they had become friends and partners in their architectural company. They were very busy but had come to Britain so Cornelius could explore where his ancestors had come from and could study buildings already constructed in this country. His antecedents had left no real clues other than they came from the East of England, perhaps Norfolk. They had travelled to the city of Norwich for there was a town of that name some one hundred and fifty miles from his own birthplace. Although they had enquired at the City Hall they could not say whether any Buttons had left for America in the past.
Once all had finished eating Lancelot said we could continue our conversation at dinner this evening but that Cornelius should rest until then. The two friends then went to their room and, of course, the whole story had to be rehearsed again. Lancelot said he was sure no lasting damage had been done. He had made sure the wound had bled well as he was sure this prevented any rot. Poor Robin squirmed at that description but the boys wanted to know more. Lancelot said he was sure natural bleeding if staunched before too much had flowed was helpful to eventual healing but he did not advocate wholesale bleeding using scalpels and cups as he was of the opinion this often led to further weakness. "It is what I have observed and as I have told Tom many times one should note closely and make one's own decisions," he averred with a smile in my direction.
All was well at dinner that evening. Mr Button was quite recovered and my father could hardly keep a straight face when all was told again. I waited but he did not say 'Boys will be boys!' as I had heard many times when escapades were complained of by Mrs Matthews or other ladies whose apples had been scrumped or whose dogs had been teased. Of course, Robin and I had to tell Nicholas and Cornelius more about our journey to France. Nicholas was most interested in our meeting with the Comte. Lancelot said he would give them letters of introduction to the Comte and also Mr Johnson. The pair said they would leave Careby the next Wednesday and hope to get passports with Uncle Digby's help. I said we had not been asked at all for ours but Lancelot said they were necessary in case of any problems.
The weekend passed quickly and time was spent in packing ready for our return to Ashbourne and the others' return to London. Francis Clifford said he had felt so welcome in his time with us. He only hoped he might be able to reciprocate our kindness but it would be difficult with his parents being in Canada. I know my mother had said he could come to Careby whenever he wished. She had said the same to George as well. Terence would be accompanying the young lads back to London though riding alongside the coach as Robin and I would do on Blaze and Silver for our return to Ashbourne. Natty would be on his steed, too. George would share with us with one of us being in the coach or on the box with Rowley Roberts. I knew George had given Philip some coins for the waifs so Robin and I did the same with equal amounts for Carlo and Antonio. Timmy had written a letter to them all and asked Philip if he would give it to the boys. Thus with all wishing each other the best we were all on our separate ways by nine o'clock in the morning. My father was there to bid us farewell and was in the best of humours which was shown by the liberal distribution of largesse to all and sundry.
George was quite silent during the first few miles as he rode Silver beside me with Robin acting as coachman. The last weeks had been both a perilous time and a welcome relief for him. I knew he had made many changes in his judgments and his thinking especially in relation to those of a different station from himself. George was now even more a staunch and true friend to both Robin and me. There was no need to go over our experiences again but we knew we would have to tell Theo, Cedric and Travis Maitland at least some of what had happened. Lancelot had been at breakfast with us and showed us the latest newssheet which had arrived and there was a long article concerning the scramble for railway shares with warnings about over-reliance on the claims of returns in the prospectuses. There was no mention of names but a paragraph near the end drew attention to two bankruptcies caused by ill-advised investment. We knew of the involvement in fraudulent transactions and this would be a salutary guide for us not to be misled by false claims in any schemes put to us.
George's mood lightened as we travelled on. He was heartened by his father's promise of a commission and the acceptance he had experienced from my Uncle Billy and my brothers. His future was set. Robin and I were almost as sure of our futures. After this term just two more years at Ashbourne and then, with all good fortune, to study at Cambridge. One thing my father had told us was that the first rents from our holdings in St Albans were safely in the bank. The rents had been set so as not to be a hardship to those who leased the land from us and Mr Grindcobbe had advised that no increase should be set for the next year after the Michaelmas quarter day. My father said he trusted his judgment and we should follow his advice. Robin and I were truly landed gentry now!
By the time we reached the last few miles to Ashbourne and were hailed by others in carriages or on horseback it was if we had never been away. Grooms were ready to care for the horses and Japhet and his cohort were there to unload the coach. We bid goodbye to Rowley who had instructions to take care of the carvings he had to collect on his return through Bedford which were to be affixed to the new water closets at Careby Hall. These would be another of Philip Goodhew's triumphs.
We were a day earlier than usual so a good number of our fellows had not yet arrived as we made our way upstairs to our rooms. Theo was absent as was Cedric Branscombe. I had just emptied my saddle-bag when Japhet and one of the serving-boys brought up my chest. George grumbled that his was still below and said he must report to Mr Ridley to tell of his promise of a commission. He rushed off with me knowing he would be ensconced in Mrs Ridley's parlour for tea and cakes as it was now near four in the afternoon. I needed a piss so went out to the new trough and overheard Japhet say of George and his disgruntlement "I wonder what flea he's got caught in his britches!".
George did return quite soon and seemed very happy. I was happy, too, as Mrs Ridley had sent me 'one of cook's specials'. George said Mr Ridley had congratulated him on being accepted for the Regiment. He had already received a letter from my brother Torquil with the news also of the birth of his daughter. "Mr Ridley had quite a smile on his face when he said that," averred George. No doubt Mr Ridley had contemplated the difference of some sixteen years between my brother's son and his daughter!
George was also pleased when he opened his own chest. He, like Robin and me, had two fine smoked hams packed away. Mr Clements had been taken by George's most polite ways and had also included three bottles of a fine port. This, no doubt, on my father's orders for at least two! Not to be left bereft there was an equal number of bottles of claret in my chest and also in Robin's. My apothecary's box had also been replenished. Lancelot said that as the summer months were most often accompanied by disorders of the stomach and bowels rather than coughs and sneezes he had supplied me with extra amounts of his Balm, the chalk mixture with opium, with the warning not to over-prescribe it. There was also a preparation of gentian to be used after a violent bout of diarrhoea. Again I had to be careful and Lancelot said I should consult Dr Dimbleby at every opportunity.
So, term began. On Theo's return he announced he would matriculate at Oxford rather than at Cambridge for his father had too many interests there. When he said 'interests' he screwed his face up but he did say his brother had persuaded him to study law. Others who were now in their last term also gave notice of their intentions. Not only Cedric was to join the Royal Navy but Lawson had also decided on that career, too. He had an uncle who had promised him a commission on his own ship. Collett, who we discovered had spent an extra year now at Ashbourne and had been aiding Mr Pretyman in teaching the older Whelps especially, was also destined for Oxford and said he would most probably take up school- mastering after that. Travis Maitland was still undecided but had thoughts of taking Holy Orders so had been advised to study at Trinity in Cambridge. This was a quite unexpected aspiration on his part and earned him both respect and some head-shaking for he was not one of the world's most committed scholars! Japhet had news that his elder brother Shem was making good progress at the Dissenter's College and had been preaching at Easter in somewhere called Doncaster. There was no news of Prots and Frob who we were sure were even further into their studies of Hell and Damnation for the Sinful! There were sad tidings, too. We heard that Chasfield of Parker's House had drowned when out riding on his father's estate and his steed had thrown him into a fast flowing stream. At least four others in other Houses were ill at home with undisclosed ailments and would not return until the Michaelmas Term. Of course there was much celebration for all our birthdays. With Mr Prior's connivance we had an extra Sing-Song that week end. Three hundred or so boys cheered to the rafters when it was announced in Great Hall that George and several others were now eighteen, another few were seventeen and five of us in Mr Ridley's House were now sixteen within a few days of each other. It wasn't that anyone younger was ignored as Radcliffe reminded us he was fifteen at Christmastide but he had to celebrate that at home!
Theo did learn of our London adventures and he and George spent a good few hours in quiet conversation. I did not attempt to join in these discussions though I was quite aware of the emphasis George had placed on the parts Robin and I had played in the various dramas. George did not completely abandon any serious attempts at study for Mr Prior gave him extra tuition in calculations and mensuration and the use of maps for he said he would need a good grasp of these for planning campaigns! Robin said he would be the best General of all! "Field-Marshal!" was George's response as he tried to capture him for a drubbing. George did spend much time with Collett helping the Pups and Whelps with their games of cricket and their swimming but also, most importantly, as Captain of Cricket for Ridley House.
I must say I preferred either swimming in the pool by the river or being at the edge of the cricket field with a book than playing the game. Robin was most adept at both bowling and batting and he and Lawson were also chosen, with George, to be in the Ashbourne School Eleven and played in two winning games against schools in Cheadle and Wirksworth which meant overnight stays on the part of the team.
It was on the second of these occasions when I had been swimming by myself and had found the sun too hot to lie by the pool so had retreated to the shade of a copse of trees with my book and clad just in a pair of running drawers. I was reading quietly when I overheard a most interesting conversation. One of the participants was that friend of Black Jack and Jopling who had been with them on that first encounter I had with them after Chapel. He was listening to another of Mr Pratt's tribe. I think his name was Cawston. What made me pay more attention was when I heard Cawston say "...Bertie said Jermyn Street was the place". My ears were all atingle then as he was describing how his cousin, I assumed Bertie, had been given the task of introducing him to London life on his eighteenth birthday which had happened the week before Easter. His father had given the cousin, who I assumed was somewhat older, a good sum of money to take him to a gentlemen's club, the theatre and to any other place of entertainment he might fancy. From his recital I gathered they had luncheon and then later on that Friday afternoon a visit was made to the Baths which his cousin apparently was in the habit of frequenting.
"My God , the water was so hot but I felt it had done me a power of good," he pronounced in rather high-pitched fluting tones. "Had a sweet boy to give me the massage then," he said and I heard him clap his hands. That description could only have been of Karem and it proved to be so. "I've never seen such a pretty creature in my life. Such open brown eyes and those muscles!" His voice dropped a little and I strained to hear what came next. "Almost naked. Just a pair of tight golden drawers. I had to keep my hands off him. Some big fellow, his father I think, kept walking over. I did try putting a hand out to touch his leg but he moved away." The pair must have been smoking as there was a moment or two of silence and my sharp ears heard the scratch of a vesta. I caught a whiff of tobacco smoke just as he continued. "My, the lad was good. I had a tight shoulder which loosened immediately as his fingers found the spot." There was a snort then. "Something else got more than stiff as he worked down. No decency, I had to turn over but I was too far gone to worry. Damnable Bertie was standing there waiting for his turn with an older fellow and the fool began to whistle." His companion said something even more quietly which I could not gather. "I couldn't get my own back for I was led to the next bath to get rid of the oil. Bertie was laughing when he joined me. Said it always happened and that was why he hadn't warned me. He said I was not to touch it, that would be for later." There was another snort. "I wondered what he meant. He'd touched his enough in the past!" There was a snicker from his crony and I wondered about that revelation. I was quite unprepared for what was then divulged over the next few minutes.
I heard that after the visit to the Baths the cousin took him to his Club in Piccadilly where they shared a bottle of champagne before dinner and where they were to stay the night. "There were several other fellows there and Bertie and they were laughing over some matter. That became clear when we finished our dinner and they joined us for a glass or two of port." There were a few moments of silence and I wondered if I might crawl closer but thought better of it. There was no need as the story continued. "I was aware that something had been arranged for three of them joined us when Bertie nodded at them and said we should leave. We took but a step or two when we left the club and entered the house next door." There was another pause and the smell of tobacco smoke came towards me quite strongly. I had to strain my ears a little then as his voice dropped again somewhat. "I thought from what one of the other fellows was saying it would have been a place with women..." Another pause. I assumed his friend was making some gesture or asking an almost silent question. I was agog. Was he expecting to be taken to a house of ill-repute? I had heard of that girl found in such a place in Grantham. I knew no more. What I heard then startled me.
"There were no women on show. Bertie said it was a special place exclusively for certain tastes. I knew he favoured being beaten and two of his companions went off while we had another glass of wine and when they returned with smiles and grimaces he asked me if I would excuse him for five minutes or so." There was more scratching as their pipes must have needed re-lighting. "Forgot to say all the attendants were dressed as Grecian shepherds so Bertie's friends told me." I wondered what that meant. I was not disappointed. "They were almost bare. A thin woollen tunic and small drawers and golden slippers." There was a snort. "Never knew Grecian shepherds had golden slippers." I heard his friend ask who were the attendants? "Found out after they were post boys or young soldiers earning an extra shilling or two." Another pause and more smoke reached me. "Let me get on. Bertie came back rubbing his arse and said we should go upstairs where the tableau would take place." His friend asked "Tableau?" but there must have been some dismissive gesture. "Let me tell you. There was this room with chairs and tables but there was a stage with a padded settle on it and it was quite dark with a single candle on each table. There must have been a good dozen of us assembled. Several much older than us I was sure." There was a slight giggle. "Forgot to say again. Before we went up the stairs we were all given a mask to wear. Looked like a bunch of highwaymen but it meant a good disguise!" There was a snort of laughter.
"We took our places and there was more wine. Then candles were lit on the stage and this most comely lad about our age came on playing some sort of pipe. Looked like two pipes." I heard the other one say he'd seen a picture like that in a book. I had as well and knew in Greek it was called an aulos. "Then the tableau started. A big lad came on dressed like the others and lay on the settle. He started stroking his face then his chest. He drew his legs up and was feeling his belly downwards. Another one was peeping round a doorway and was spied and beckoned over. He was made to lay on the settle and the big lad started to stroke him all over. His jerkin was soon off and his chest was bare. Then his short skirt came away and he was lying there with a bulge in his drawers I thought could not be real." Another snort. "'Twas! Those drawers came off and that lad beat even that lout Henderson with what flopped out." There was a laugh from both. I knew of poor Henderson and his beating by Pullen after he had spent his seed over the floor in Bartleby's room. I was not aware of his size! "There was a third lad who appeared and he was made to join the other and lost his clothing as well. The big one set them to give each other pleasure..." A sucking noise and a suppressed giggle from his companion was quite audible and I was well aware of what the pair on the settle must have been set to do. I was just contemplating that with some stirring in my own drawers when the next scene was described. I was all ears! "That first one cast off his own jacket and drawers and I aver he beat both the others and was stiff as a poker. The lad who had just arrived was on his belly sucking away when without any more ado he was taken in the rear. Didn't squeal just went on with his other task!" There was a gasp from his friend. "True! Never seen it done before but we've heard about it, eh?" I had, too. Black Jack's harangue at poor George included such actions. "That wasn't the end 'cause two more fellows came on and between them they had the piper upstairs and downstairs and he played their pipes as well as those others!" There were more snorts of laughter at that.
"Must say with all that I was feeling more than a morsel frisky. Never would have believed it but three of us were then hustled onto that stage. I was soon as naked as the day I was born and two of those lads were mine! One started sucking at me then the other must have been well-oiled as I speared him to a great round of applause. Best night I've ever had. Beat going to a bloody Sing-Song or the Haymarket for a play!" His friend must have asked if there was more. "We had more wine and I was so foxed I hardly knew it but we went back to his Club and I slept sound 'til morning." He snorted again. "There was no more of that performance for Bertie said we had to attend the play at St James's theatre that evening. Old Lady Pritchard was in the box next to us so it would soon get back to my mother that Bertie was spending my father's money sensibly!" There was a snicker of laughter from both. There was the sounds of rustling. "Come on, we'd better get back. Need to pay attention to something!" There was another snigger.
I lay still and I heard them kicking at stones on the path as they passed within feet of where I was. I was not discovered and I knew I would have to pay attention to my own more than pressing need. All was well. Theo was not in our room. Not one for swimming he was most probably playing chess in some shady place with Simpson or another of his friends. I missed having the water closet in the room to dispose of my endeavours but the wad of soft, now sticky, paper would be cast into the privy in the morning. Even though I had pictured the scene of the tableau during my actions and had spent my seed copiously I was still thinking of the description of the display. There were so many questions which would remain unanswered. Where was the Club and this strange house next door? I must assume it would be a house of ill-repute but with young men instead of girls. We had heard of such places in Paris. But here, in London? Who would frequent it? Those special tastes? The cousin had spoken of liking being beaten. It was certainly not a taste of mine! However, the description of one of the deeds was of something I already knew and had shared with my Robin. What of that other action? Cawston admitted he had not indulged in that before. Was it as easy as he had said? There was much to discuss with Robin on his return!
He was also all agog as I related what I had heard on the Monday evening after he returned. He said most sagely that he had found out from conversations he had heard on these cricketing visits that any of those actions were unlawful and could result in prison or even hanging. He did smile and say he would not give me up to the law. He quoted Mr Dickens writing in Oliver Twist 'If the law supposes that,' said Mr Bumble...'the law is a ass!'. He said we should try to find out more, both about the law and that house! Who to ask without raising questions or suspicions? We would have to wait, perhaps until we were with Jabez again and in his confidence.
It was some four weeks into the term that George, Robin and I had each received sealed documents. These were official notices from the Prime Minister's secretary that we had been awarded seven hundred pounds each in three per cent Consols as our expenses in the events which had taken place in March 1845. Just a bald statement though there was a short personal letter enclosed in each thanking us sincerely for our efforts and signed with the initials RP.
Neither I nor Robin knew anything about 'three per cent Consols' but both George and Theo did. They explained these were a way in which the Government borrowed money to pay the country's debts. In return a rate of interest was paid to those who lent the money to the Government. Theo gave as an example that when a dowry was paid on a marriage the money would be invested in these Bonds and the interest would go to the family. Theo was also most amused as he said our reward was costing the Government little. They were giving us money already lent to them and then paying us the interest which would amount to twenty-one pounds sterling each for the year, payable half in January and half in July. I was not sure if George was amused or incensed at this way of rewarding us. We did hear soon after that Timmy and the waifs had been awarded five hundred pounds each in the same Bonds with the ruling that the capital sum would not be available to them until they reached their full age of twenty-one. We were pleased as they would receive fifteen pounds each as their interest over the year which would be a good income for them even before they would earn anything from working. We were told later that we received more for our part in both assisting the rescue of the boys and in helping to alert the Government to the fraud and chicanery of Philip Lascelles and his confederates. It was not until much later that we heard of a trial and five hangings.
My duty to accompany Freddy Neville to the Dimbleby's house for him to receive instruction and to play Mrs Dimbleby's pianoforte continued. He had progressed so well and was now more self-assured for his mother had been so amazed at his playing she had allowed him to practice as much as he wished. As expected he heard that he would be lodged at first with my Aunt Digby Wright at Charles Street. I had an unexpected letter from my cousin Rosamund saying that she and Geoffrey were returning from Canterbury as soon as the house in St James' Street was repaired and put in good order. She added they would welcome Freddy to live there but I was not to tell him!
A week or so before the end of term Lawson asked a favour of Robin and me. With our fag masters all leaving Ashbourne at the end of term Robin and I had asked to be room-mates and to George and Theo's amusement said we would prefer to have the room I was used to and let Bayes and Radcliffe have the other. Lawson's request was for us to have his young brother, now of an age to leave Mr Pretyman's care, as our fag. What could we say? I had already been asked the same by Freddy Neville for he said he wanted his friend to have fair and generous fag masters. I wondered at the use of 'generous' but said I would discuss it with Robin. There was nothing to discuss. Young Lawson would be a good companion for our final two years at Ashbourne. Both I and Robin had benefited in having such good fag masters who were now firm friends.
So term drew to a close. We had a tremendous last Sing-Song for so many friends. The Scotch pair were leaving and both Robin and I were awarded a dirk each for our playing for the dances. We had many offers of accommodation all over the country if ever we cared to visit, especially if I brought my cabinet of cures! That had been well-used one particular hot weekend when more than a dozen, not only from Ridley House, sought a dose of Lancelot's Balm for disordered bowels! Dr Dimbleby was most amused when I reported to him on the Monday morning and he ordered me a supply of his own preparation to replenish my stock. That final Saturday evening was followed by the most splendid feast in which all the inhabitants of Ridley House participated. With the departure of Prots and Frobs there had been a most noticeable lightening in the general atmosphere of Ridley House. With their calling for strictures over most of our entertainments and their denouncing of any indulgence in liquor of any kind other than the weakest small beer we were well rid of them. It did not mean a general licentiousness arising but there were invitations to spend time with a glass and a conversation after prep was done most evenings. Mr Thacker and Mrs Williams supplied us and the members of the other Houses with a grand assortment of succulent delicacies for the great occasion. They supplied we paid! George was most liberal in purchasing only the best claret which Figgis had in his cellar. George did divulge that Figgis was more than happy to provide at a good price for he had been warned that his tavern was in danger of being closed down after that weekend with the cardsharps and Black Jack's suffering.
I had not seen George in tears before but on the morning of our departure from Ashbourne he said he would miss us all and would hope to remain friends. Theo held his hand tightly and the six of us from the two rooms stood and vowed that would be. There was a general procession from room to room with those leaving looking sad but also somewhat exhilarated over what might befall them in the future. With the adventures we had already experienced what might occur for us over our final years at Ashbourne? So with these thoughts Robin's and my journey back to Careby began.
To be continued:
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