Rescue Operations (11)

A great deal less fretting

Such a lovely day – Sukey sometimes thought this was her favourite time of year, still bright even were the days drawing in, and with that crispness to the air.

A roof garden! exclaimed Polly Fendersham. What a very charming notion.

Why, said Sukey, we are obliged to live so very central by reason of Quintus’s practice –

One quite sees that – convenient for his patients and for him to attend the hospitals where, I apprehend, he has honorary appointments even though he is so young –

Sukey smiled. What an amiable woman was Lady Fendersham, and from being a physician’s daughter, had some understanding of the requirements of that profession. But when we took this house, I looked about the roof, and thought that one might make raised beds, and of course Julius was our adviser, very kind, and took thought at what might flourish in spite of the fogs – 'tis very different from what he tells us of the moors!

Why, I daresay the moors are very fine and picturesque, even sublime, but I will confess that I find pleasures here in Town that they lack! Am somewhat overwhelmed by the number of very kind invitations I have received.

Sukey led the way to the staircase, saying, Scilla and Bobbie were very great favourites – and she apprehended that Beauf had mentioned to his connexion that Polly would be in Town –

Such a thoughtful young man! But tell me – I have wondered – Quintus is such an unusual name, is it perhaps a family name?

Sukey turned with a grin. No – 'tis quite the piece of family history, though. When he was born, his mother was very poorly and they were a little worried about him, so he was baptized very precipitate and none had time for particular thought for the name, so was named Quintus as he was their fifth child, by the vicar – a Mr Sutton. Was a somewhat troublesome fellow – for of course in the Ferraby schemes of civic improvement they found the Dissenters and Quakers firm allies, that he took objections to – but then, there was a subscription took up in the parish to send him to Buxton to recruit his health and have leisure to work upon his commentary upon Thessalonians. And while he was in Buxton came a great scandal 'twixt him and a married lady there, that he ran away with.

Polly laughed considerably. Shocking! she said at length.

But here we are at the nursery. She opened the door. There were the children, that were all looking gratifyingly clean and well-behaved – dear little Teddy over by the window with his book, had greatly took to reading, though they did not force him on in lessons yet, Susie and Kitty playing with their dolls on the floor under the eyes of Pellow.

She made the introductions – Teddy, that is, Edward Jenner, after that great physician, Susie –Susannah, and Kitty – Katherine, that is after my mother’s great friend that was the first wife of His Grace of Mulcaster – Beauf’s mother.

One might see Polly a little tearful as they left the nursery – Tina’s children must be much of the same ages, she said, have never seen 'em. She sounds very well-suited with Halifax – fine healthy climate, and Mr Gartslade doing very well, quite the modern city – but o, 'tis such a great distance.

Sukey patted her arm and said, did she never think of making that voyage? Everyone said was a deal less arduous these days and the world seemed smaller. Here were the Ollifaunts shortly returning from New South Wales – still a great distance, but nothing like it used to be, with these fine clippers.

They went into the drawing-room, where they found Scilla and her great friend Rachel – Lady Demington – already there. Scilla made the introductions – said that she intended having the Demingtons to dine shortly, but had not contrived to it yet – they were so busy –

Rachel, that Sukey observed was in some months to present Artie with another pledge of her affections, was immediately making exceedingly civil to Polly – had heard so much about her from Scilla – her musical talents – her beekeeping – the fine work she had been doing during the late epidemic –

Lady Fendersham said that she apprehended that Lady Demington took a great interest in philanthropic causes?

Rachel blushed a little and said, she endeavoured to help out her mother-in-law, Lady Pockinford, a little, as she was very bustling and inclined to over-do –

And then the company for tea began arrive in greater numbers. Grissie Undersedge – Rettie Parry-Lloyd with her sister Emma Reveley – Janey Merrett – Lady Di Beaufoyle, quite advanced in increase – her sister-in-law Cathy, Lady Bexbury, with her mother-in-law Mrs Horrocks – Lady Gartslade – Meg Knowles –

That swept up to Polly and said, heard that she was a great connoisseur of good music, hoped that she would attend their music party, had sent her some tickets for concerts, and she was entirely at Lady Fendersham’s disposal was she looking out for new music for herself –

Sukey minded that Polly had some experience of Flora and being swept up by a Ferraby whirlwind no doubt!

– apprehended that she had a deal of invitations but hoped that she would come dine with the Knowleses in Highbury one e’en –

Turned to greet with great enthusiasm her sister-in-law Lady Louisa, that was already known to Polly and extended an invitation to come spend the day in Blackheath – did the weather persist fine they might go view the sights of Greenwich –

Charley Abertyldd and her sister Dodo – Cissie, Sukey fancied, was still in the country.

O! here came Her Grace of Mulcaster, and she had brought Bella! – well, she was making her debut this Season, and it was entire proper that she should be being taken about in Society, but one held one’s breath a little to see what she might do, the wild creature.

She quite bounced up to Polly and made very warm indeed to her – had met her a little while ago at Nitherholme – and o, did Julius still have his tame fox?

Polly said that indeed, it still preferred to lair in Julius’ garden, though would venture upon the moor now and hunt somewhat for itself rather than lying in luxurious idleness being fed on the fat of the land. Although Mrs Dunstall, for all her sombre airs, would keep back titbits for it still.

A tea-party the like of this was quite entirely Sukey’s favourite form of dispensing hospitality. One introduced one’s guests did they not already know one another – ensured they had tea and that their cups were kept replenished and that the platters of good things were kept circulating – As hostess 'twas quite in order that one did not linger in making conversation but had to go be attentive to one’s guests and the state of the teapots &C – Was one afflicted with shyness, was a great deal less fretting than many other social occasions: Mrs Quintus Ferraby was quite noted for her tea-parties.

Sukey listened to the more general buzz of conversation over the rattle of tea-cups – enquiries as to one another’s offspring, questioning glances as to whether further increase was anticipated – and one saw a deal of looks at Janey, for was several years now and no sign.

Janey did not seem bothered – had not, Sukey knew, for she kept the practice ledgers, consulted Quintus, that a lady that fretted in the matter would surely have done. But her friends fretted more than enough on her behalf.

There, in the doorway, was Clorinda, gently fanning herself, gazing about the company. Sukey wondered was there any particular matter here that was a subject for Lady B’s contrivance, or whether Clorinda was just observing who was present. She went over, offering to introduce her to Lady Fendersham.

We have already met, said Clorinda – a few years ago Seraphine begged me to ascertain that Julius would not be residing in a hovel, and she kindly showed me the cottage. Quite entirely eligible – indeed, from what one hears of the late Mr Loppingham, would not have conceded to some shepherd’s hut upon the moors, however picturesque and poetical.

Why, there was Polly Fendersham seated on a sopha in quite the deepest conversation with Helen Horrocks! Sukey discovered as she looked about. The latter was looking remarkably well: had pulled round from what had been somewhat of an ordeal when she lay in with little Evelina. But a sojourn in Harrogate had been entirely beneficial.

Yes, it was going, most gratifying. And after the company had departed, Polly and Scilla would stay to dine, and Bobbie would join 'em, and so would Josh, very pleasing indeed. Remarkable well considering all his explorations in wild and savage places – would twit Quintus with wanting him to come back with an entire plethora of tropical diseases so that he might study 'em, sorry could not oblige –

The dark veil had not yet descended.