Unhistoric Acts (20)

Whether 'tis so that men and women may be friends? 

Polly Fendersham conceded that she had been entirely prepossessed with Julius Roberts’ sister Hannah when she had visited Nitherholme earlier in the year with Lady Emily Merrett – and sure, had become quite the greatest friends with Lady Emily and her dear companion Lalage Fenster, that was so knowledgeable concerning bees. She further conceded that had come to be on such terms with Lord Sallington that would entirely incivil to refuse to host a female friend of his that would benefit from recruiting a little in the healthy air of the moors.

But, fie, she was exceedingly daunted by all one heard of Miss Ferraby! Indeed, her stepson had looked somewhat askance when the proposition was first mooted, but had considered the desirability of being on good terms with their neighbour at Nitherholme, the very estimable qualities of the Ferraby family in general and their excellent connexions –

So, here she was with the trap at the station, waiting for Miss Ferraby and her luggage to emerge.

This was Miss Ferraby? This dainty small golden-haired creature, that was in converse with the porters bearing her trunks –

O! she cried, I must suppose you are Beauf’s Polly – Lady Fendersham? It is so immense kind of you to take me in for this little while – everyone tells me I over-did in the past months and should rest and recruit a little in bracing airs. And to come meet me yourself!

Neither Sallington nor Julius had said that Miss Ferraby was an enchantress – but perchance, having known her since childhood, it did not strike them in the same way? One saw the porters very taken with her even before what Polly suspected were very generous tips conveyed for their services.

She climbed up into the trap and smiled at Polly and really, did not immediate show signs of run-down health, but had those kind of looks that were perhaps not given to disclosing such matters – mayhap there was a little shadow under the blue eyes? Might the pink cheeks be normally a little rosier?

Polly found herself quite chattering to Miss Ferraby about the company that was at present at Fendersham Hall, that was just family – my stepson, Lord Fendersham – his son the Honourable Mr Andrew Fendersham – Drew – and his daughter Priscilla – Scilla – somewhat quiet at present –

That will be entirely to my liking!

Polly minded that Miss Ferraby and Miss Roberts had a household with some several adopted orphans, that, though it must be very agreeable, could not be restful. She enquired after Miss Roberts.

O, Hannah had been esteemed as an entire prodigy at the philosophical convocation at Wallesfern – found it a little irksome that they did not draw the wider lesson that the female mind was in general more capable than they supposed, but 'twas perchance a first step – went on to Monks Garrowby over some further matter to do with their library, and to write up the archaeological diggings in a pleasing fashion for a general audience. For the archaeologists have writ a deal in learned journals but very dry, cannot get it across to the lay reader. But, she heard Lady Fendersham took to bee-keeping – ?

So there was talk of that, and then on to Miss Ferraby’s orphans, and then she enquired did Lady Fendersham have any offspring of her own besides her stepchildren? So she said how well Christie was placed in the Consular Service in Peru, liked it exceedingly, a certain amount of good English society in those parts, and that Tina was married to one of the Gartslade connexion that was about their shipping interests in Halifax, that was quite the bustling place, and had voyaged as far as Boston, and they were contemplating making a jaunt to New York. And she heard Miss Ferraby’s brother the noted zoologist was in Madras? And that her eldest sister was going to New South Wales?

They were in quite the greatest good feeling with one another when they finally arrived at Fendersham Hall, where Polly said that Miss Ferraby – La, let us not be so formal! Do you call me Flora – would doubtless wish to go wash and tidy, but once she had done so there would be tea in the drawing-room.

When she came down, having also changed her dress, the family – Andrew, Drew, Scilla and Polly, had all gathered in the drawing-room, Scilla trying to conceal her eagerness at meeting Miss Ferraby, that she would have been excited to do even had Flora not been an antient childhood friend of Bobbie Wallace, and Drew with an air of reluctance at being obliged to do the polite to some tiresome bluestocking agitatrix.

It was most amuzing to see Drew’s mouth fall open when Flora entered the room, and even Andrew looked a little taken aback. Her manners were entirely all that one could commend – Polly minded that she was the goddaughter of Lady Bexbury, that model of exquisite conduct – as she shook hands and said the proper things.

How charming it was to have such a guest! Scilla showed every disposition to become her bosom friend, and Miss Ferraby did not despise feminine conversation over matters of dress and adornment as well as more serious matter. For Scilla was determined to become more serious and thoughtful.

However, their possibilities for girlish conversation were somewhat constrained by Drew’s new habit of popping up wherever Miss Ferraby might be, following her about, offering to fetch her cooling drinks, suggesting walks or rides in the neighbourhood, escorting them when she went to visit Julius at the cottage – had she been a knitting lady would doubtless have sat at her feet holding her wool as she wound it.

So it was an agreeable relief to find the three of them by themselves in Polly’s parlour one day when Drew had been persuaded by some friends in the vicinity to go spectate at a hound trail, that would be prime sport, but the sort of company unfitted for ladies.

Flora desired Polly to play a little on the piano – Polly returned that she scarcely dared do so when she heard that Flora’s sister Mrs Knowles was so renowned in that art – o, poo, said Flora, I am sure you play exceeding well – Polly conceded that Mr Loppingham had occasional praised her abilities –

Scilla laughed. La, 'tis like a play! But that reminds me, I meant to ask you, Flora, once we did not have Drew buzzing around us like a gnat, whether 'tis so that men and women may be friends? Here is Polly talks of her fine friendship with Mr Loppingham, but after all, he was a sickly invalid, everyone says. And I see you have the greatest friendship with Mr Roberts, but then, I apprehend you were brought up with him in the same nursery, quite like a brother –

Flora smiled, and stretched her arms above her head and said, indeed, there was that very antient tie. But she fancied there was some particular reason why Scilla asked?

Scilla frowned a little and said, although she had no disposition towards marrying Artie Demington, she did find herself on what, was he a woman, she would consider terms of friendship. They had a deal in common – fathers very much of a likeness! – it would be entirely agreeable when he married Rachel – I will not say if for it must come about, it must – to feel myself friends with both of 'em.

Why, 'tis entirely possible, said Flora. 'Tis the conventions of society that make us suppose that it must be otherwise – that there could be no sympathies of a general human kind 'twixt man and woman – why, here is Polly has quite the finest friendships with Beauf and Julius – Polly blushed a little – that, alas, the world does not always see in their proper light.

And, said Polly, I am like to suppose that Mr Elthorne has entirely no notion of making a suit to me – is entirely contented in his hermitage on the moors with his birds about him – but does not disdain a little agreeable feminine company on occasion. And sure he has an old-fashioned courtly charm, very pleasant.

At this moment came a footman with Lord Sallington’s card, at which Polly desired him to be sent in at once, and tea to be brought.

It was entirely agreeable to see him, but observing him show civil to Flora, and her smile at him, Polly had some doubts as to the entirely platonic nature of their fine friendship, even had it been formed in nursery days.