Challenges (24)

Not what Mr Dickens had led him to anticipate

Truth to be told, Jessamy Wilson ever felt a little daunted when entering the portals of the fine offices of the Knowles enterprizes – but kept her head up, and her back straight, and minded that she was an heir to a business that was entirely founded upon her mother and her aunt’s fine receipts for preserves and pickles. Even did she now come about to apprehend what a deal of business went to making up those receipts in quantity and purveying them as most select.

It did sure help that Mr Millett, the general manager of the Southwark manufactory, was with her. Had been in some doubt when her parents had finally conceded that she should be as 'twere apprenticed to the management of the business – for neither of her brothers showed any inclination to’t, though Ben was ever very agreeable to giving advice on any improvements to machinery that were needed – as to how that gentleman would behave. But Jessamy took the thought that he must have had some several years of having to do with her mother Euphemia and her aunt Seraphine and must be acquainted with the capacities of the feminine sex and would not anticipate her to flutter or mince or declare that 'twas all too much for her little head!

So he treated her more or less as he would have done a son of the family that was being brought on in the business, and that suited Jessamy very well. Though indeed, she was able, from having run away to work in the manufactory, to speak quite forceful on certain matters to do with the large number of young women they employed. Such that 'twas now known a very desirable place to work and they never had any problem hiring hands.

And here they were, in a position to expand, and very coincidental, here was a gentleman that came into possession of that tumbledown warehouse on the adjacent site, very ardent to come into an agreement and join the enterprize as a partner, most gratifying.

As they went in, a fellow came bustling up to say that alas, Mr Knowles had not yet returned from meeting their visitor at Paddington Station, but had give instructions that did that forthcome, was to take them through to the office where the architect had the plans displayed.

So in they went, and the fellow said, would have refreshment sent in immediate. Jessamy observed that the architect looked somewhat startled to see a young woman that was not just one of the fair sex, but was, as Pa was give to claiming, quite the Dahomey Amazon, a-coming into the office, dressed exceeding ladylike –

Law, Cousin Sophy would have somewhat to say was that not the case! Then there was 'Sina a-telling her of this and that thing she should do – no, 'tis not about being in the crack of fashion, 'tis about the right effect – and she had to admit, looked very well, and gave the appearance of one that should be respected.

The architect was very forward in displaying to 'em how he would go about to take advantage of the new site once that warehouse had been pulled down. Jessamy and Mr Millett went scrutinize the plans very closely, for they both had very clear and precise notions of their requirements in this expansion. But the fellow had indeed understood his brief, and came to seem entirely satisfactory.

O, the elevation! Would be quite the sight to see! And why should they not have a fine building that passersby might look upon and say, la, the Roberts and Wilson manufactory is quite the palace!

So she and Millett nodded, and asked questions, and conveyed their approval of certain suggestions.

Then came coffee, and she was pouring out and handing cups, when came in Mr Knowles, and that very civil young Lord that she had encountered at Marashaylles in the summer, that, they noted, was wearing a black armband. Bowed most exceeding courteous and remarked that he was already acquainted with Miss Wilson.

Millett expressed that he observed that Lord Peregrine had lately suffered a loss? – to which the latter responded that indeed he had, his godfather, of whom he had been very fond, that had left him this very warehouse and the land it stood on.

Mr Knowles remarked that it was most particularly good of him to think of 'em with that parcel of land when they apprehended that the family greatly felt the loss of Marashaylles. That Jessamy had come to understand had been sold quite over their heads by Lord Saythingport that found himself in need of the ready.

Why, said Lord Peregrine, one could see that you would be turning it to good – the orchards &C had been sadly neglected I fear – and sure I am prepossessed by your fine products. And my brother-in-law Mr Grigson commended this notion to me.

You have a very sound advisor there! said Millett with great approval. Just the sort of chap one wants in the family.

They were obliged to go over the plans once more, and Lord Peregrine displayed some understanding of architecture and the classical styles and proportions.

After this had all been very extensively discussed, the party proceeded to the boardroom, where a light collation had been laid.

The architect showed some disposition to engage Lord Peregrine in further more general converse on architecture – oh, he was at Oxford? – that must be an entire feast of fine buildings –

Alas, I fancy one grows used to 'em and fails to see 'em as one should – but do you let me know are you ever in Oxford – have the entrée to certain spots the public are not usually admitted – no, would be an entire pleasure – here is my card –

What a very pleasant young man. Sure, there was a deal of courtesy – and indeed, positive democratic principle – among the set that frequented Her Ladyship, but Jessamy quite understood that was far from the rule among the aristocracy.

Indeed – here he was, passing along a platter that she might not have tasted of –

Following the collation, was a deal of legal business concerning this new partnership, after which, Lord Peregrine said, somewhat wistful, might there be some opportunity for him to visit the present manufactory on some occasion?

Fie, said Mr Millett, are you at liberty this very afternoon, why do you not come with us and Miss Jessamy can show you over the place?

That would fall very convenient – am obliged to return to College this e’en –

This led to their taking a cab back to the Borough – going it! – rather than the omnibus that she and Mr Millett would have been conveyed by in ordinary circumstance.

Lord Peregrine was looking out of the window – most fascinated – very agreeable to having the sights pointed out to him – never came to this side of the river unless 'twas passing through on the high road – observed that sure 'twas very bustling –

Mr Millett, that was bred in those parts, said with a little complacency had been thus time out of mind – was not constrained by all the hindrances that bound the City – a deal of commerce and industry –

Much of it, said Jessamy with a grin, less sweet-smelling than ours!

Millett sighed and said, 'twas so, alas, and not all of 'em observing good practices, he feared.

But here they were at the works, where Lord Peregrine handed Jessamy down quite as if she had been a lady. Then looked at the fine brick edifice with the sign telling what it was, and at the far gate the vans drawn up being loaded with crates of preserves and pickles. Said had been hard to conjure up in his mind what 'twould be like –

'Tis not the like of a cotton mill, or an iron foundry, but indeed, said Millett, these days you cannot cook up quantities of pickles and preserves in a household kitchen and take 'em to market-day once a week or fortnight.

He looked at his watch. Lord, is that the time? Have that fellow coming that wishes to tender for printing of our labels –

Jessamy sighed and said indeed, there were improvements could be made, but let 'em see his samples and prices!

So Millett went bustling off, and Jessamy turned to Lord Peregrine and said, would show him what she could, without they interrupted the work that was going on.

And he showed most impressed, and asked questions that though they showed his entire ignorance of the matter, were far from stupid questions. Was very taken with such things as the arrangement they had with a certain piggery – for, said Jessamy, there is a great deal of peels and cores and such that we cannot use, but that pigs will consume very grateful – and comes to an occasional ham or so as a gift, excellent good hams.

It is, she added, very much the like of good housekeeping –

Well, he said with a grin, I would know nothing of that!

She grinned back and said, dared say there was those in his family’s establishments made sure all ran smoothly so they did not have to take thought –

He suddenly blinked and said, sure my scout at College does the like! – and then went explain that scout was a particular term for a servant in colleges at Oxford – you have quite opened my eyes.

Why, I suppose that is so that you may devote your time to study –

He gave a little groan and said, why, he and his friends were quite passionate about learning but was by no means the common rule –

She had anticipated a young fellow that would make his investment in the business and then go wait upon dividends, but she saw that here was one that might come about to take a more active interest in the enterprize.

Let us go refresh ourselves with some tea, she said, we have been walking around here some while.

So they went to her little office that was adjacent to Mr Millett’s, and she brewed tea over the spirit-lamp – Mr Millett appeared still engaged with the fellow over labels –

And Lord Peregrine said 'twas all not in the least what Mr Dickens had led him to anticipate!

Jessamy snorted and said, they were not making blacking – and as for that, her aunt Phoebe’s enterprize making household polishes and products for cleaning was not much of the like either!

Somehow they then commenced upon talking about books, until Millett came in, rather flustered.