Rescue Operations (8)

A game one may indeed lose a great deal at

Scilla enquired whether Bobbie intended accompanying 'em to hear Julius discourse at this botanical conversazione the afternoon? Bobbie helped himself to a further kipper, and said, was sorry to be missing it, but duty called.

For Bobbie now became a serious and responsible fellow that took thought towards a political career. At first there had been some notion that he should be a sort of secretary to his father, but was felt in the family that that would not answer, and would benefit him to move outside the family circle. Fell out that the Duke of Mulcaster happened to mention that he was thinking of appointing a secretary – sure Her Grace was a most admirable helpmeet that had not made that a pressing concern, but they now both had so much upon hands that he was very minded to acquire some ambitious young man in that capacity. Also wondered whether dear Viola might not benefit from some intelligent young woman – one sees that Clorinda Bexbury has found that secretary-companion of hers very useful upon occasion.

So here was Bobbie, going regularly to Mulcaster House, or to the Lords, to attend the Duke, and declared that 'twas an entire education.

Scilla smiled and said, dared say His Grace would give him leave, but it showed very responsible in him. And would give his apologies to Julius. The kindest thing – Di said she would come collect 'em and take her and Polly-Granny along with her and Mrs Veriker, that is staying with her and Rollo. Had previous acquaintance with Polly-Granny from when they went visit Sallington at Nitherholme.

Came in Polly-Granny, apologizing for being such a slugabed. Scilla poured her some coffee and said, hoped she had had some refreshing sleep and did not find the noises of Town too disturbing.

Polly-Granny smiled and said, had slept exceeding well, perchance because was not troubled with many things. She declined the offer of a kipper, as she took and buttered a muffin and contemplated the spread upon the table.

Should you care for a nice soft-boiled egg, said Bobbie, I apprehend Martha Samuels came call upon Mama yesterday with a basket of fresh eggs from her fine Hampshire hens. They are really uncommonly good.

Polly-Granny allowed that a soft-boiled egg sounded very agreeable, and who was Mrs Samuels? Had made most amiable in the parlour, been most fascinated over her bee-keeping –

Bobbie and Scilla grinned at one another, and Bobbie said, oh, though these days she will present herself as quite the entire countrywoman, was born more or less within the sound of Bow Bells – elder half-sister of Her Grace of Mulcaster and Sebastian Knowles – made a marriage against her family’s will to Jacob Samuels, that was already doing well as a surveyor and esteemed as a geologist – the family converted some generations back and he is somewhat of a freethinker, but their son Davey inclines to ancestral ways – their daughter married Horrie Knighton, and sails with him on the Hydrographic Survey, under Captain Gold, that is her uncle, and the brother of Lady Nuttenford –

Scilla giggled and said, la, one should draw out a pedigree! But she is a most amiable lady – has the most wonderful talent for water-colours – wins prizes at agricultural fairs for her poultry –

Somewhat of an eccentric, added Bobbie, but a very fine woman. And her husband is an excellent fellow – used to take us hunting fossils in the quarry in Somerset – he is now the agent for Admiral Knighton’s estate, brought it entirely round when he inherited –

Lady Jane, Scilla intervened, having to be so much in Town about her philanthropies –

Came in Barty, most unusual fresh-faced and dressed for riding. Good morn – servant, Lady Fendersham, how do you the day?

Bobbie blinked at his brother and said, was this Barty or his fetch? Was he up uncommon early for him, or had he been up all night?

Barty aimed a brotherly cuff at Bobbie’s head as he went seat himself at the table and desired the footman to bring him a kipper, as he observed that Bobbie, the hog, had eat 'em all. Came in exceeding early yestere’en, he said.  Party I was with had an intention to go on to Rathe’s, and I was in no disposition to go there again.

Rathe’s? queried Bobbie.

O – being a staid married fellow I daresay has not come to your attention. 'Tis what one may only call a gambling den, but gives itself out very exclusive – must be introduced by one that already has the entrée – and there is only one form of play. The boast is, none of these fusty games that their fathers and grandfathers were playing in the days of the Regent, but this new American-style, poker –

Polly-Granny gave a little cry and said, had heard somewhat of that – in a letter from Scilla’s uncle Christie in Peru, a fellow that had been quite ruined – had been in California during this gold-fever, won a fortune and then lost several – had been working his way down the coast, before the mast.

Well, they play this game – in this stuffy room, nothing but a card table and some very indifferent liquors – and I am not convinced that the play is entirely straight. Sure 'tis a game one may indeed lose a great deal at – but – 'tis a pity that that fellow from the antipodes, that showed up Plumwell and Olverham, is no longer about Town.

Bobbie whistled and looked at his brother with respect. Is given out that the Ollifaunts return very shortly, but I am like to think that he was intending to stay in the austral wilds once he had returned there –

Mayhap they have brought his father back with 'em? for the Pater, you will recollect, had tales of him – was said, was he not in orders, would be give out had the devil’s own luck!

Scilla rested her chin in her hand, and thought that Barty, for all his dashing ways, was a good-hearted young man, and knew his way about. It was a great relief to her that when Drew came to Town he took him as his cicerone. Because she could quite imagine Drew getting into all sorts of brangles without some such guide.

Bobbie turned to Polly-Granny, and said, dared say she did not know the Ollifaunts? – very old Leicestershire family, in sheep for centuries – the present baronet, Sir Thomas, is married to Quintus’ eldest sister, Bess, that owns and manages theatres, and has encouraged him to take an interest in woollen manufacturies – they took breeding rams and a theatre company to New South Wales –

A theatre company? exclaimed Polly-Granny.

The most raging success, Sukey says, said Scilla, played for a long season in Sydney – went on tour – returned to further acclaim in Sydney, that is now a very flourishing city – and the most of 'em are inclined to remain where they are so appreciated.

Barty snorted and said, and a deal less competition!

Bobbie looked at him in a cautioning fashion and Scilla minded that there were rumours that Barty was paying court to some actress in Miss Addington’s company, that would explain why of late he seemed so well-supplied with theatrical gossip.

Bobbie pushed back his chair and rose, saying that was time he was departing for Mulcaster House. And would not hurt to drop a word or two in His Grace’s ear concerning this gambling den, for sounded the like of place that young Steenie might be lured into.

Polly-Granny, having praised the egg, and declared that she had made a most satisfactory breakfast, asked whether she might pass a little while at the piano, did it disturb no-one?

They all concurred that that would be entire delightful – the instrument was in tune, although none in the household played, for when they had company. Scilla added that she might bring Mark to listen, was that agreeable, as it was surely beneficial to infants to hear music.

So they passed a very pleasant morning, and Polly-Granny remarked that she had an intention of being very extravagant and going purchase new music, but sure there was plenty of time for shopping. Scilla said, she should certainly ask Meg Knowles what were the best places, they had an invitation to one of her music parties.

Polly-Granny sighed and said, had heard it said that Mrs Knowles could have been a professional. And was she not another of the Ferraby connexion?

The middle sister. Minds me, Flora Ferraby was most anxious that while you are in Town you should go visit 'em at Yeomans – 'tis an eligible journey by rail, no trouble at all.

Polly-Granny frowned a little and said, had not anticipated quite such a social whirl.

Scilla quite grinned, and said, sure her reputation had quite preceded her!

The older woman coloured considerably, and turned back to the piano in some confusion. Scilla looked on her fondly. She intended to spoil dear Polly-Granny as much as she could.