Tom Brownings Schooldays

Tom Browning's Schooldays

By

Joel

Chapter TwentyThree

Jabez was first to wake. He said he had plenty to do but the night before my Aunt had decreed I was not to be neglected and, as he was my valet, he could accompany me in a ride around down to the Tower or wherever I wished to go. One condition was I should not tarry in any 'rough' places. I said I also wanted to see if I could buy some running togs and some striped shirts for myself and for Robin. But, most importantly I also wanted a copy of Mr Pepys' Diary. Jabez thought Jacobson would be driving the chaise and perhaps Natty Dyer could also accompany us with a sturdy cudgel just in case we ended up somewhere 'rough'. Anyway, he had an errand to run, so looking after the infant - by which the scoundrel meant me - would not be an unpleasant duty. Jabez was not quick enough to slide out of bed and was grabbed by his own not inconsiderable sturdy cudgel and made to plead for mercy as I said the infant would demonstrate his strength in pulling off said sturdy cudgel. We both collapsed in laughter as we realised I had described exactly the actions we had both engaged in the night before and they were then repeated this morning to the satisfaction of both parties.

As before, the bell-rope was pulled and the two Italian youngsters appeared with pitchers of hot water while I was easing myself in the jakes. I heard giggling as Antonio and Carlo must have been confronted with a nude Jabez whose lengthy pizzle was probably in full view. Having been the same ages as the Italian pair I knew such a sight provoked awe, interest and laughter in equal measures.

They had scurried out before I was ready to emerge but when I did Jabez was still undressed but had laid out my clothing for the day like the good valet he really was.

I grinned at him as this was the Jabez as I always remembered him showing off that mighty cudgel of his. It wasn't cudgel-like at the moment but weighed heavily downwards. "I suppose that pair will have much to discuss now and will be asking their brothers or cousins if they possess such a heroic weapon."

Jabez was laughing. "I have inspected Bartolis one, two and three, and none match me - though they are well-favoured in another way though. They beat me as they are uncommonly hairy all over and could use curling-tongs on their chests and bellies."

I liked that numbering system as he explained these were the three who were now employed in the kitchen and were learning their trade from Signor, their father or uncle.

I was starving after all the efforts of the night and found a number of dishes awaiting me in the breakfast-room when I entered just as the clock at the bottom of the stairs struck eight. I was alone except for Jabez and one of the elder Bartoli boys who were taking the dishes and tureens from the dumb waiter in the corner of the room. Both bowed their heads in greeting and I watched as the lads skilfully lowered the contraption down to the kitchen when they finished. I found this Bartoli was Paolo and he looked a little older than me. He, like the younger ones, Antonio and Carlo, had black curly hair and from the looks between him and Jabez I knew they were friends. Paolo served me with a good plate of eggs beaten with butter and cooked with some smoked fish. He excused himself and said he must return to the kitchen to prepare trays for the ladies. As soon as I finished that tasty plateful I stood to inspect the covered dishes again with Jabez telling me what was available, but adding ingredients I knew Signor would never put with them and not things for Paolo to hear. I had heard one was kidneys with rice and best London shoe scrapings, another was slices of pig's belly in a dog's turd sauce, a third looked like sausages but according to him were young ponies' pizzles fried in wheel grease and stable dust from the barracks. I waited to hear what was in the fourth which looked like a good stew but he said nothing so I knew my Father had entered silently on the thick carpet.

"Two pony pizzles and whatever he chooses," he said.

Jabez nearly dropped the ladle he was carrying.

"I think I must ask the Signor to write out that list for me and give it to Mrs Gray for her use." Father put two large hands on Jabez's shoulders as he stood stock still. He pointed to the fourth. "And that one?"

Jabez was not beaten. "Sir, I will ask Angelo to remove it as he was interrupted while removing the pots from upstairs and left one here. I apologise on his behalf." I assumed Angelo was another of the Bartoli tribe.

Father cuffed his ear, but gently. "I thought sending you here would improve you." There was a pause. "But I am glad to see you are the same. And there are no pots upstairs these days!"

Jabez had been in enough scrapes at Careby, but I knew father had a soft spot for the spunky lad or else he would never had let me be so free in his company as I had been, nor recommended him to Uncle Digby. Jabez had no evil in him and father knew he was as loyal a person as one could wish.

Father turned him so they were facing each other. Jabez was looking downwards but his lips were quivering. "So, Jabez Bottom, what have you planned for today? Letting loose the ravens at the Tower? Scaring Her Majesty with six penn'orth of crackers as she takes the air in the Mall? Blowing pepper dust at the guards outside Whitehall so they sneeze and drop their muskets? Eh?"

"Sir, I had not thought of the third one," Jabez said quietly as he raised his head, "But as each are treasonable I would take care not to be seen and apprehended. But you have suggested them so I will send Master Tom for a constable and we will visit you in the Tower."

He got another cuff for that and a belly laugh from my Father. "And do not lead my son into temptation!"

"Father," I said enjoying that little interchange, "Where did you get the idea of pepper dust? I could see that as a good weapon in a war. A cannonball stuffed with pepper dust would explode and the enemy would be sneezing with streaming eyes and not able to fire their muskets."

He laughed again. "I do not know except I am wary of too much pepper at table. You had better tell your Uncle Billy of your invention and claim the patent for it. Browning's Bomb guaranteed to stop the war and season your soup at the same time! Your fortune is made." Jabez got another cuff. "My plate! I said two pizzles and add a good helping of that one with shoe scrapings and be quick about it as I intend to have another ride in the Park and it would do my son no harm to exercise that Blaze of his and shake his own full belly a little. It is not a day to be indoors with all the preparations for the Ball. I heard young Purrett swearing about hanging fancy lanterns and there were lads with boxes of glasses in the stable yard when I went out for a breather."

I had an opportunity as I knew what a breather meant. "Mother said you were not to smoke a cheroot early in the morning as it does not sweeten your breath."

I received a cuff that time as I was not fast enough to move out of reach.

"Say nothing more, my lad, or my sweetened temper will disappear. I get nothing but reproofs from sons of mine these days. Your brother Terence had the temerity to chastise me at the dinner on Saturday as he said I would need a new suit two sizes bigger soon. And he costing me a small fortune for that fancy uniform of his. I can't wait to see what that other brother of yours will be parading in as he's dancing attendance on some young filly tonight so your mother says. I hope it sticks and sooner the better as that'll be another one off my hands. I'll ask a damn good dowry in recompense."

"Who is it?" I asked, "Nothing's stuck before."

Father laughed. "There's a pair of 'em. He and that friend of his Bemrose have met up with them down Canterbury. Whole family coming tonight. Naval I think, but your mother's too busy to tell me anything. I'm just the purse-bearer and food-scoffer!"

I was quick enough this time. "And cheroot fancier!"

Father gave one of his snorts. I knew he wasn't annoyed. "Jabez if I didn't know you better I'd order you to give this young cur a good whipping. My father had me over a hay bale more than once with his groom delivering six cuts of his riding crop."

"What for?" I asked, "I need to know so I don't commit the same crimes."

"Crimes! They weren't crimes just boys being boys. That young brother of mine always thought of good japes." A lesser snort this time. "Billy got me into trouble more than once. We climbed on old Goodman Carter's roof and put a sack over his chimney and the one next door. That was a real old hag. Biddy Matthews, dead and gone a long time now. We smoked her out good and proper. She'd threatened to put a curse on us after we'd tied her old cat on her nanny goat's back to make it dance. Said she'd send us to the Devil."

"Did the curse work?" I asked, acting the innocent, "Was it hot in hellfire like Zebediah says?"

"There'll be hellfire if there's much more from you," he said and shook a finger at me. "Now I want my breakfast. Jabez!" Jabez set to and filled my father's plate and winked as he replenished mine. He said nothing but stood by father and poured him a great cup of tea. Father drank that in one great swig and set to with his knife and fork. Another cup was poured.

"Was that Mr Carter's father?" I asked thinking back to his story.

My father nodded. "Yes, he was a good old man but Biddy frightened the whole village. Billy said he didn't believe her cursing but some of the women thought she could set imps to curdle milk or sour the cream they were churning. It's a long time since the last witch was burnt around Careby but old Biddy came near adding to their total."

"Sir," Jabez said, "My mother said where she came from they had a witch burning not two hundred years ago."

"True," my father said, "That's near the village where I met your mother, Tom. She was with her aunt near Eccleston - that's up Chester way she's always talking about. She said the villagers still talked about it as there were three of them burned. They blamed the gentry for setting it up. I think one was accused of the death of a child of a landlord somewhere there, but those were strange days and there's still some around now who believe such things. Stupid people who sit around a table and think they talk to their ancestors."

Jabez was nodding. "Perhaps I shouldn't say this, sir, but there's talk that sort of thing happens in a house near here. One of the stablelads has a sister who is a parlourmaid there. She wants to leave because she's scared, but she can't as the mistress wouldn't give her a reference letter. She can't just up and go as no one would take her."

My father looked at Jabez keenly. "If that is true the girl must be helped. What about the other staff."

"I'm told they're scared, too."

"I think that's something for Sir Digby to enquire about."

Jabez looked worried. "Sir, it's gossip at the moment. We'd have to find if it's true and the lad would be afraid he might get dismissed for spreading a story."

My father shook his head. "If it is true and the servants are frightened, then Sir Digby is the best person to put things right."

Jabez smiled then. "I know he would be. And he would have good help."

My father nodded. "Including you, I'm sure."

Jabez merely nodded.

There were things I was only now becoming aware of in this household and it's occupants. I would have to remain silent and observe. Observe the little things as Uncle Digby said. The first thing to do would be to bid my Uncle good-day. I was replete after that extra plate. I had also added one of the pony pizzles and immediately thought of that draughthorse colt and the length he showed, which was enough to excel even Jabez! I asked to be excused from the table as my father was still eating heartily. He had picked up a news- sheet, so I knew he would be occupied for some time. I told Jabez where I was going and he said we should depart at half past ten which would give me time for a ride on Blaze.

Uncle was reading his morning mail. There was a pile of letters and two small packets. He greeted me warmly as I looked for signs that he might be unwell. I saw none I could discern as his colour was good and his breathing seemed steady. Then he coughed. He took up a small tablet and sucked at it.

"I must take care," he said, "This sooty air and all the city miasmas around do not augur well for me. I must move to the countryside for fresh air before long but I have so many tasks still in hand. Your father has offered me accommodation but I have to think of your Aunt as well." He shook his head. "She has many commitments and interests here. Still, we will have to see." He smiled at me. "But these are my worries and not something to burden you with. I hear you are being taken for an excursion. Don't forget to tell Jabez to stop at the stationer's. He knows the address. Tell Mr Middleton there that you can choose what you like and I will make the books balance for him. He's a good fellow but fell on hard times with the death of his wife and son after they needed long and expensive nursing."

I said I would like a copy of Mr Pepys' Diary. He laughed. "I am told there is much left out in what has been published but I have seen a copy and it is both instructive and amusing. Samuel Pepys was a great man in his own way having set our Navy on it's true course. We have benefited from that man's wisdom and foresight. Are there other books you would like? There are still many here you could gladly have. ' Dr Johnson's Dictionary' is there. He was erudite and amusing in many ways." He pointed to a bookshelf. "It is there. Bring it down." I did as he said and found a well-thumbed volume. "Do not believe all you find in it," he said with a snicker, "He has many words which have never been used and others where he was either wrong or, perhaps, misinformed." He took the book from me and opened it more or less randomly. "Here, there is 'manducate', 'to chew or to eat'. Another here, 'manubial'. What do you think that means?" I shook my head. This dictionary didn't sound too useful. "It's what your Uncle Billy has won for ridding us of Boney. It's the spoils of war. I expect your Uncle Dodd would know the meanings as they are supposed to come from the Latin but I have never heard the use of those two. There are many more." He thrust the book at me and grinned. "Learn a few of those and your schoolfellows will be either be amazed... ...or use it to batter your head!"

I said the second was more likely. I scanned the first pages and found there were many words scribbled against. He saw where I puzzled over something written. "I have tried to make more sense of some of his definitions. It is an uphill task, though, and requires more knowledge than I have. There is a great need for a good dictionary for our time. There are many new words I hear which are not in that volume. Each trade or craft has it's own words and if we are to make sense of what is around us then we need good explanations."

That made sense. I had to learn new words and meanings all the time, like 'praeposter' or 'widdle-pipe'. The first I had from the Latin dictionary, the second was easier as it was a good description, but I would have had to learn as a child the use of each of the two words which were conjoined. I nodded but there were other things of greater import to my enquiring mind.

"Thank you for the book and the gift of the others. I will try not to choose too many at the stationer's shop as you have been most generous with all those guineas."

"Do not worry. I have more interests than that stationer's shop or even the railway. And what plans do you have for today?"

I said I would join my father first for a ride in the park, but I needed running clothes and some jerseys and boots fit for football so would go have to go shopping later. I explained I had been given things by George Lascelles and needed to replace them. I would get the same for Robin and would use some of the money I had earned. Uncle Digby laughed and said it was a good way to earn money. Knowledge was always valuable and usually had a good reward. He was looking through his correspondence as he said this.

"Well, well, Tom, there are two letters here for you."

He handed them to me. I turned them over. The addresses on the back of each showed they were replies to my cards to Aubrey and the Johnsons.

"May I read them here?" I asked Uncle Digby. He nodded and went on opening another of his missives. I opened the one from Aubrey. He said I would be welcome to visit at any time, just send a card and arrive. The other said they were sorry but would be out of London until they had to return to school. Their grandparents had a relative who was unwell and all would be staying with her and it sounded very miserable. Alain had scribbled he was actually looking forward to being at school again.

I saw there were some correspondence cards in a holder so asked Uncle Digby if I might have one. He nodded. The Harrisons were coming tomorrow in the morning. Perhaps I could have the chaise again that afternoon. I was feeling most important having my own transport. Although it was New Year's Day the post was still being collected and delivered. I picked up a pen and said I would like to visit at half past two and would be arriving in a chaise. I waited until Uncle Digby had finished reading a rather long letter and then asked if I was allowed the chaise again to visit my schoolfellow. He just laughed and said it needed airing. Tell Mr Churcher my wants. I showed him I had already written the card. More nods and smiles. I thought I had better wait before asking about Wednesday. Perhaps I could take my two nephews around? I remembered Terence had said our family motto should be Festina Lente - 'hasten slowly'.

Uncle Digby put the letter down. "Did you enjoy the dinner on Saturday?" he asked with a grin, "I saw you had the full attention of the Duchess."

I nodded. "It was most interesting. She was very friendly. Not at all like what I would have imagined a Duchess to be."

"She is quite different from many of the high-born ladies I have had to meet." He shook his head. "As far as some are concerned I am but a lowly baronet and anyone with no greater title is beneath their contempt. The best thing to do is to ignore them as they need you more than you need them, I find. I often feel sorry for their servants. The Captain next door has a fine young lady as his house-keeper and she was turned out of a position because Her Ladyship - and I will not name her - thought she might have eyes for her son. The son is an ugly brute and was truly under his mother's thumb. Even your Uncle Billy wouldn't countenance him in his regiment. But as you noticed, the Duchess is most agreeable."

Yes, I had noted that she was appreciative of the attentions of the servants. She had given the footman a smile when he had moved her chair for her. I was glad I had not met anyone like the other lady Uncle had described. But I was still curious about one person.

"Uncle," I started hesitantly. He must have realised I was about to ask something rather delicate. He nodded so I went on. "That Baron... ...he seems strange but he knew about me."

He smiled. "Of course he knows about you. I heard him say to you his cousin went to Ashbourne. I suggested it as your brothers had been there and it did them no harm. When I saw him last I told him you were there." He screwed his nose up. "He may seem strange but I can assure you he is a most intelligent and useful man. He comes from a mixture of families across the principalities of Germany and even beyond. Just as our Queen and her immediate ancestors are descended from princelings and such, so is he. He has probably just taken a pair of his ancestors' fiefdoms to produce his name but he is of genuine noble stock. I knew his Uncle Gottfried when in Florence as he was dealing with interests there just as I was. He recommended young Adolphus to me some ten years since, but he only emerged like a butterfly in London society two years ago. He has many contacts which we find most useful." He smiled. "There, I have told you more than necessary. Are you satisfied?"

I smiled back. "Uncle, I realise I must keep silent. I have learned many things just these few days." So Uncle Digby was involved in things across in Europe as well. I saw he was impatient to read more of his correspondence so I said I would go but I would like to return when I had been to the shops. He asked me to pull the bell-rope as he had things for Topping to attend to. That done I went off to get ready for my first excursion.

This was not difficult. Jabez was hovering outside Uncle Digby's study so he came up to the bedroom and helped me change into my riding clothes. I found my own way to the stables in the mews and Natty was there with one of Uncle Digby's young grooms attending to our mounts. I found his name was Gregson and he was giving father's Troilus a good brushing. My Blaze was so pleased to see me he stamped his hooves and shook his mane as I stroked his neck and muzzle and he nudged my head in response. Natty placed my new saddle on his back and I was ready to mount just as my father appeared.

"Good, you lazy dog," he said and flicked me with his riding crop, "Get that fat backside of yours into that saddle!" Gregson looked horrified as he must have thought I was being punished for some misdemeanour. Father turned to Natty. "And what about you, you rogue! Do I have to get the whip to you as well?" Of course he didn't wait for any reply. Natty knew him too well. Father turned to Gregson who almost cowered away, big lad as he was. "And you? Have you earned your keep this morning or is that a pile of muck not cleared over there?" As a startled Gregson turned to see what my father had pointed his crop at so he turned to us and emphatically put two thumbs up and winked. "Keeps them all on their toes," he said quietly. He turned to Gregson. "Here, lad, you've made my Troilus look as smart as one of Her Majesty's best." He felt in his britches pocket then flicked a silver shilling at the youth who caught it deftly, though he dropped the brush he was holding.

Gregson looked at the coin in his hand. "Sir, that is too much. I was but doing my duty."

Father smiled at him. "Nothing is too much for a job well done. You like working with the horses and being here?"

"Sir, 'tis all I know and 'tis a proper and happy trade."

He had quite a country accent with a soft burr which I hadn't heard before. My father knew. "Are you from the West country? Devon is it?"

Gregson smiled and nodded. "Sir, that is my county. There is not the work there so I came up to London."

"To find your fortune?" my father asked.

"Mebbe not that, but I have a place here and Sir Digby is a fair master and I try to work well."

"You work very well. Troilus knows a good groom doesn't he, Natty?"

Natty nodded. "That he does, sir, and a faithful groom knows a generous master." He bowed his head obsequiously and held out a hand tentatively.

My father grunted. "You are a rogue. I have heard that plea before. Here, you're only getting sixpence and lucky not a good hiding as well. Your mother will hear things when we return."

"Thank you sir, and I know only honest things will be told."

I stifled a laugh as Natty knew my father would never tell tales.

Father shook his head. "You two get your mounts and we'll see if we can outride some of these so-called London gentry. Don't tarry gossiping as this son of mine has to go shopping later." That was said as if I was some young maid.

They were soon ready. Natty was riding his Kerry while Gregson was on a good black mare. We set off and followed my father down Charles Street into Curzon Street toward Park Lane and through the Stanhope Gate into Hyde Park.

There were plenty of other riders and many hats and caps were touched in greeting. I thought some of the mounts could be better managed especially when one took fright at a large dog which was allowed to run free. "Dogs and horses do not mix unless they are trained hounds," my father said as the poor woman had her reins caught by her companion who flicked his whip at the snarling dog which cowered and ran back to it's master who seemed oblivious of the havoc caused.

We had a short gallop and ended by riding along the Serpentine River and saw the wall barring our entry to Kensington Gardens. Father explained it was Kensington Palace behind and the gardens were famed for their splendour. I chatted to Gregson and found him to be a fine fellow. He was just eighteen and had thought of joining the military but his father had said as he was settled in his position he should wait. His uncle was a carter who lived in a village called Highgate on the hills above London town. It was a suburb which was being built up especially with houses for clerks and artisans. He said he had explored some of London but found the teeming streets of the poor parts too crowded and dirty. I found he had read both 'Pickwick Papers' and 'Oliver Twist'. I said I hadn't quite finished the second so he must not tell me how it ends. He laughed and said he loved reading so I thought I would mention him to my uncle.

We were out a good hour and though it was cold I had a warm glow which was made even better as one of the Bartoli boys had hot cordials awaiting us on our return. Jabez was waiting to get me ready for our excursion.

I changed quickly into my new cloth suit in the bedroom and was glad there was the jakes, as I needed a good piss after all that riding and the drinks to follow. I had a list of requirements but I did not know how much things cost so tucked a total of ten guineas in my various pockets. I felt most affluent as I put on my good cloak and thought I might buy myself a new hat as well. I would have to look around to see what was fashionable.

Everything was ready at half past ten. Mr Churcher was checking all was well with the chaise and Jacobson was there on the box. Natty Dyer was listening to Mr Churcher as he pointed to the wheels but I didn't catch what he was saying. Mr Churcher touched his tall hat and said all was set for our excursion and he hoped the weather would stay fine. It was cold but all of us were well-wrapped.

"You're coming with us, eh, Natty?" I asked. "On guard duty I assume."

"Oh, Master Tom I am so pleased. May I come along with you?" He smiled and nobody could have said 'No'.

"Up here!" Jacobson said to him as I got into the chaise and Jabez followed me. Natty mounted the box and Jacobson cracked his whip. We were off.

Jabez was laughing. "Jacobson says that boy has been asking so many questions wanting to know all about London. He was frightened of the gaslamps at first. He thought they were magic as he hadn't seen anything like them before. London's a strange place and there's much to see and learn. Anyway, we are going up to Oxford Street first and into Tottenham Court Road because the stationer's shop is off there. I think we will find your other shop on that road, too. There is an outfitters for boys and young men and they will have your running and football things, I'm sure. I have to visit a shop for your Aunt which is close by and I will only be a moment as things should be parcelled."

"Jabez, you are the fount of all knowledge. Do you know London well? I admit I looked at the map Uncle Digby has in his study but it seems so large with so many streets."

"I know some parts. I have had many errands to run for your Uncle and Aunt and the chaise is always used if any errand should take me further than the Baths. Jacobson knows where it is safe but there are places where I would not venture alone." He shook his head. "There are roads near the docks and away from the main roads where the houses are squalid and worse than the hovels by the river in Careby. I have looked, but I haven't dallied."

As I was listening to him I was examining the streets we were travelling along. There were many big houses but also rows joined together and all appeared most substantial. For most I counted at least three floors above the street and when we had to stop I noted they all had a stair downwards to a basement. Around Grosvenor Square the houses were particularly big and fine but, even so, I knew if I lived here I would miss the open spaces of the countryside with all the fields and woods despite Hyde Park being nearby.

We clattered into Oxford Street and were soon in a throng of cabs, omnibuses and riders on horses, not counting the people on the pavements either side of the roadway. At least the roadway was wide enough for carriages to go in either direction, not like the narrow streets of our village. At last we turned into Tottenham Court Road and soon found the shop I needed. Jabez pointed along the road and said he saw the one he needed as well.

Natty and Jacobson stayed on guard as Jabez led the way into the shop, where a lad held the door open for us. It was certainly the place to find what I wanted. A young man asked for a list of what I required. Luckily I had written it all down. Soon there was a pile of togs and two pairs of boots which would be most suitable for football. I added a fine striped shirt big enough for George to play his football or to run in. Then I thought I would find a suitable book for Theo later as he did not take part in games. All that pile came to just under three pounds eighteen shillings. My purchases were parcelled up and carried back to the chaise. Jabez said he would walk the few yards to the other shop he had to visit and was soon back with another parcel to be stowed away. I looked wonderingly at it but all he would say it was something for the evening.

I was ready for the bookshop and we found that readily in a side road near the British Museum. Next to that was a fine baker's so a shilling was passed to Jacobson to buy himself and Natty as much sustenance as they wished.

I could have spent all day in that old and rather musty shop. It was made of several rooms with more spread on two floors upstairs. There were several men looking at all manner of books but I asked for Mr Middleton who just nodded when I gave him the piece of paper Uncle Digby had given me telling him who I was. "Anything you want," he said waving a hand at all the shelves stacked with volumes. He found my desire - Mr Pepys' Diary - for me and recommended another by a Mr Evelyn. Three volumes of a new history of the world were quite weighty but had maps and illustrations which Mr Middleton said were printed by a new method. He smiled when I said I would need a good primer for mathematics and produced three, one for each of arithmetic, algebra and geometry. He showed me some old pamphlets which he said were printed when Mr Pepys was writing his diary. He would not sell me one as he said they were very precious to him. I did buy a well- read and worn copy of Mr Boyles' experiments on chemistry which I thought I would ask Winstanley about. There were several other books of scientific enquiries, including one on geology, which caught my eye and joined the pile. I had a look around another room and found two volumes of Mr Wordsworth's poems which I would give to my mother. In a stack of books of music I found a slim volume of organ pieces by William Boyce and another by John Stanley which all looked most tuneful. After choosing about a half dozen more books of plays and poems, which could include something for Theo, I had quite a bundle and Mr Middleton laughed as he said I seemed to be a good scholar. He then stated that the shop was now my Uncle's which put my mind at rest about the cost of such a trove.

The two lads were patiently waiting for me outside as Jabez and a boy from the shop carried the bigger loads of my books while I carried a smaller armful. All were deposited on the floor of the chaise. I gave the lad a thruppence for his trouble and wondered if that was a mite excessive. Still it was worth it if all these books were now mine. I had to recompense Jabez, so a sixpence this time left my pocket as well.

The pair had bought several pieces of fruit pie at the baker's. Jabez said he would share his sixpence with me and came back bearing a good piece of the same fruit pie from which he broke me a substantial corner. He winked at Jacobson. "The gentry know how to eat prettily in the street." I think there was a duel between the good sweet smell of the pie and the stink of the surroundings. Jacobson looked slightly askance at Jabez's forwardness but seeing I was not affronted said that when Jabez had finished filling his belly he would drive us down to Drury Lane where the theatres were. From there we would go to Trafalgar Square and St James's Park, where we could see the Queen's Palace in the distance before turning along St James's Street to bring us to Piccadilly and so to Charles Street.

The mention of St James's Street made my stomach churn. I kept quiet and so did Jabez. It was only when we were in the chaise he urged me not to worry. There was no way Black Jack could know we were passing the house where he was being held.

I was so glad we did the excursion as there were places I had not seen and Jab ez pointed to the barracks where our brothers were quartered as we skirted Whitehall. I could see Natty staring at everything, talking animatedly with Jacobson all the time. Jacobson was a good driver and was able to keep a steady pace with the chaise through the near midday congestion of other travellers. However, he made a point of slowing down and pointing out buildings of particular interest.

We reached St James's Street and I noted the house and lodge just as Jabez had described. There was no sign of occupants even in the lodge and I was glad to be safely past. "I can see, Tom, you think that boy is evil," said Jabez quietly as we crossed Piccadilly into Berkeley Street. I nodded and whispered "He is".

To be continued: