Unhistoric Acts (3)

The very like of what Mamber had done

Hector Wilson endeavoured to call upon Mr Mamber twice or thrice in the month – sure he owed the excellent old butler a deal of favours for a good start in his occupation. Mamber now resided in a fine almshouse in the City. Although he had had savings put by, for his exemplary skills in his profession had been observed whilst he was in service with Mr Bartram, and had had no difficulty in finding good places after the latter had sadly expired from galloping consumption, he had been somewhat ill-advized in their disposition and was not as well-provided for his old age as might be. Hector, upon discovering this, had advanced the matter to Her Ladyship.

Lady Bexbury had looked thoughtful, and remarked that she did not herself have to do with any almshouses, but had a notion that Meg’s husband had interest with a deal of those City charities that had been building 'em these centuries. So it came about that Mr Knowles was able to nominate Mr Mamber to a place, that was very comfortable, and so situate that the residents might go stroll about the streets, and mayhap sup a glass or so at the tavern on the next corner, though any drunkenness would lead to expulsion.

Very pretty houses about a courtyard, where at present a group of the almsmen were seated on the benches conveniently disposed there, enjoying the sunshine, and listening to the housekeeper’s son reading to 'em from the newspapers.

Mr Mamber looked up – his eye as ever rolling around wildly – Why, Wilson! How do you the day! A fine day it is too.

Hector agreed that it was a fine day, and was introduced about the little group. Added that his wife had quite insisted that he brought this basket of treats, at which Mamber looked delighted, both at the prospect of enjoying Euphemia’s fine baking, and at being able to stand treat to his fellows.

There was some discourse of the shocking news that came from the Continent – one did not wish to flaunt, thought Hector, but it was agreeable to be able to mention that one had been to Naples – Her Ladyship’s late husband had a fine property in those parts – and the sufferings of the poor had been quite shocking to see.

Was able to have a little more private converse with Mamber, that was quite entirely contented with this situation. And all was well with Wilson and his family? – sure his wife’s hand had lost none of its cunning! Ben and Patience were doing well in their professions – William showed very forward in acquiring good practices, had been about learning some of Jerome’s secrets in valeting –

Mamber frowned a little, opened his mouth as if to ask a question, and then was silent again.

And the rest of the household?

So there was a little more on that, and his connexion more generally – Titus indeed was shortly performing in a benefit for the almshouses – until at length Hector rose, and said, even was Her Ladyship not at home there was still a deal to do about the household.

Mamber chuckled and said, all those things that one cannot do with master or mistress in residence!

Hector grinned and conceded that 'twas entirely the case.

Still, Mamber went on, I would have thought a fellow in your position might find the time to take a holiday or so – mayhap Brighton? Did you not go there for your honeymoon?

Hector blinked.

Would be entirely salutary, said Mamber, sea-airs &C.

Later on, in the mews cottage, Hector looked across the empty fireplace at his beloved wife, and complimented her upon the very excellent meal she had lately served for the household.

Euphemia snorted and said that Dorcas and the maids were engaged in a good turn-out, needed their strength keeping up! and she and Polly had been about looking into store cupboards and seeing whether pans required re-tinning, and what knives should be set aside for next time a knife-grinder passed by &C.

Why, sure there was always that deal of work that could only be undertaken once Her Ladyship was out of the house and no company coming in and out. He and William had been going about to see were there any matters that would require hiring workmen to come make repairs.

But these days, after so many years, he fancied they had the business down to a fine art.

Dorcas, he remarked, was telling me of this notion that she and Prue, once this task is done, might go about to Dolly Mutton’s by the sea and in the country to spend some time a-holding of prayer-meetings and Bible-readings. Here she is, telling me Cousin Marie said to her –

Cousin Marie!

– very regular in attendance, she says, at the meetings over the coffee-shop, was telling Cousin Hortense about 'em when she went visit her and their Ma at the seaside, and Hortense wished they might have the like.

Well! Cousin Marie! Though was not Her Ladyship’s friend Mrs O’Callaghan a very pious lady in spite of her profession, and has gone become a nun?

Quite so.  Hector lit his pipe and puffed a little. But they was always good dutiful children to their Ma, Marie and Maurice and Hortense, what with their father a-drinking and a-cursing and making violent towards ’em all.

Dreadful fellow, agreed Euphemia. Should not stand for such treatment myself –

He looked admiringly at her. Many years ago, Mr MacDonald had remarked that had been reading of the Amazon Army that was kept by the King of Dahomey, and that sure Euphemia might have graced its ranks. Her muscles had possibly developed even further since then with the wielding of choppers and lifting of pots &C required in the kitchen. And had ever been of a fierce bold nature – had there not been that time when she had set about an intruder with the frying-pan?

But gave me to think, he went on, pursuing his original line of thought, that we might take a jaunt or so ourselves –

Euphemia stared at him. After a considerable silence she said, Hector Wilson! Leave the house and go upon a party of pleasure? whilst Her Ladyship is absent?

Why, would not leave the place empty – William would be here, and there is Timothy across the way at the Buffle Arms, and the fellows at Jupp’s –

And, he went on, should like to take my fine wife on a party of pleasure when she will not be a-slaving away in a kitchen the day long, show her off a little.

Go on with you! Euphemia looked pleased. Then her face fell a little. Only – was we not here – supposing –

But William will be, 'twould not be coming to a closed door and empty house –

Euphemia sighed and said anyway 'twas wishfulness. She fancied a jaunt would set 'em up nicely – had heard well of Margate –

Came in William, that his mother at once asked had he eaten, and should she put him up somewhat, at which he grinned, and said, had dined exceeding well at Raxdell House – so Euphemia went interrogate him about what Seraphine and Miriam had served – sure it could not be long afore the household packed up and departed to Ammerpark –

William nodded and said, very shortly indeed, all in somewhat of a flurry, still a little unused to the business I fancy.

Hector went to the cottage door and beckoned to Timothy’s Dick, that with his brothers and other urchins about the mews was at some game, and desired him to go over to the Buffle Arms and fetch two mugs of his father’s best, and there was a penny in it for him.

Meanwhile Euphemia was interrogating William about how all went with their various connexion at Raxdell House.

Very shortly came Dick with the ale, and Hector and William both supped in silence for a while, and then William looked thoughtful and said, there is a young fellow Anthony, one of the footmen, that came from the orphanage that Her Ladyship takes an interest in, shows a very proper desire to better himself and has asked Jerome whether he might bring him on into the understanding of a valet’s duties. So Jerome takes the thought that 'twould indeed be useful to have a deputy about the place, in particular now that young Mr Reveley has returned to Town and is ambitious to cut a dash.

His parents chuckled. Hears tales of the late viscount, no doubt! said Euphemia.

But, William went on, I took the thought, that here you are, giving a polish-up to those that return to good service and seek places through the Potter-Welch Registry. And there is the orphanage, sending the orphans out into service, and mayhap they might be trained up, do they have the capacities, into more than the lowest kinds of work? For this young fellow shows very forward, has a nice apprehension –

Hector put down his mug and looked at his son with a beaming smile. Now, that is an excellent good thought! For indeed, Her Ladyship and Lady Jane Knighton and Lady Pockinford are ever concerned about placing the orphans well and not supposing they should be grateful to have places at all –

Was this not, he considered, the very like of what Mamber had done for a nervous young black fellow in an unpromising place, those many years ago? Demonstrated good practices and the way to better himself –

Euphemia said, have we not seen Her Ladyship come in muttering furiously upon the orphanage ladies? Oh, she would like this most exceedingly. Let us be about writing her a letter – 'twill reach her before she leaves the Knightons and she may communicate the matter to Lady Jane.