The Ironmaster's Tale (13)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

 It was not until later of the e’en that he had any opportunity to speak with Eliza on the matter, once all the children had been chased off to bed. She moved over to let him sit more comfortable when he came to perch beside her where she reclined upon the sopha. He leant over and kissed her hair.

Well, she said, I have been about looking over your London accounts, and sure I confide there are matters you have put down under expenses that we should consider investments –

I fancy 'tis so, he said, I did not suppose at the outset – but indeed I find I have gained the entrée to some very excellent circles, and introductions I could not have hoped for, and a better understanding of how matters go on in Town –

And besides all these matters of prudent business, you look so well! – sure you were used to return from your visits to Town looking very doleful and somewhat out of temper –

Alas, I fear 'twas so –

- but now you are returned in most excellent spirits.

I am glad to hear it. 'Tis indeed agreeable to be at home once more, my dearest, you must not suppose me glamoured by Town ways or reluctant to return –

She kissed his cheek. Sure I think you are still my same dear Jos’ –

I hope so! but, dear 'Liza, I had some converse with the boys today about Mr Bing that gives me a little concern.

Eliza sighed deeply and knotted her hands together. Indeed I take somewhat of a concern myself – perchance I should not have jumped at him, but does one ask the Vicar does he know of one that might come as visiting tutor for the boys, and he quite immediate goes advance his curate’s interest in the matter, 'tis rather difficult to refuse.

And I knew nothing, she went on, against him, could not see any objection. But after he had been a while at teaching the boys – and I do not think it is mere maternal partiality to think that they are good well-conducted boys, that will be diligent about their lessons and are no dunces –

I think you have an entire just apprehension of their qualities, my dear.

 - he comes to me and says, he would suppose that in his position he would have license to chastise 'em. (Curate or no, Josiah felt very minded to punch him upon the nose, but of course 'twould not do.) I was somewhat shocked, for I cannot suppose that Harry or Josh would be behaving so very ill, so I put him off, saying that 'twas not my decision to make, would have to consult with my husband –

Why, my dear, 'twas a most exceeding diplomatic reply, he said with a smile.

For he said that he dared say they had been accustomed to indulgent female rule, and 'twas time they were under manly discipline. She snorted a little. So I went interrogate Harry a little on the subject, and find that there was some occasion on which Josh had been a little inattentive – well, you know our Josh, had very like been distracted by some out of the common bird he saw from the window – and went about to rap his knuckles with the ruler; and Harry would by no means have him do any such thing –

Will ever protect his little brother, 'tis a fine thing in him. Josiah sighed. But sure I cannot see my way clear to what we might do. I hear the most excellent reports of the dissenting academy in the town –

Oh, indeed, 'tis very well spoke of!

 - but I fear that 'twould be most exceeding impolitic to turn off Mr Bing from his place, and send our boys there, when 'tis of such importance to keep the Vicar inclined to our interests.

Entirely so, we do not want him taking a pet and making difficulties over the improvements, mayhap even preaching adverse sermons.

They sighed.

And I cannot, Eliza went on, reconcile myself to the thought of sending the boys away to school – one hears such tales of what goes on in those places, and Josh still so small –

Josiah grunted. I suppose, he said, I might speak to Bing of the fine talk I have heard in London about modern education and humane paedogogy –

Have you so?

Oh, I go move in very philosophical sets these days! But this is indeed a tangle. Mayhap I will go sit in upon their lessons a little, and convoke with Mr Bing somewhat. But I cannot like the notion of a fellow that is so ready with his ruler, and on our gentle Josh.

Quite so. She leant against him. But while we talk of the Vicar, there is his stepdaughter, Miss Wrassett, sets up to give piano lessons, and Meg is quite wild to learn.

Well, I can see no harm in that, does Meg take a fancy to the matter, though I confide 'tis at first a very tedious business of learning scales &C. But does not Bess have a similar desire?

Eliza shook her head. But what Bess shows an interest in, is how I go about to conduct business, and I see no harm in instructing her a little in the matter. Comes about very nicely.

As long as it does not tire you, my love.

Not in the least, will come sit by me while I am about the books and correspondence, shows a deal of apprehension. But sure I fret that they grow old afore their time – or I would, did they not break out the wild hoydens they ever were upon occasion, go romp about with their brothers, tear their dresses with climbing trees &C.

I am pleased to hear it! For I would have them wild girls the like of a certain wild girl I met once at a farmhouse door –

A little colour rose in Eliza’s cheeks. Fie, I hope they have somewhat finer manners than I was brought up to, and are not obliged to go about as I did to marry the fellow of my choice.

Josiah lifted her hand to his lips. My brave 'Liza.

She gave him a tearful smile. Sure I never knew how much courage and good health went together until I lacked the latter. I am a sad timid creature the day.

I doubt that, my love. He kissed her cheek. But I fancy that you need your rest and I should not keep you up a-chatting, agreeable as 'tis.

Indeed it was a puzzle how he might manage over the matter of the curate. He looked in upon the boys while they were having their lessons. Sure the fellow’s teaching was in a very dry style, but that was common enough, and he dared say the fellow showed civil enough when Mr Ferraby, the most prosperous fellow in the district, was in the room, but he could see entirely why the boys did not take to him.

He sighed, but could not yet see a way forward. Had the fleeting thought that perchance Madame Clorinda knew one that had the disposal of a living that might be offered to Mr Bing and take him away, but indeed, 'twould be a very desperate extreme remedy for the matter.

Miss Wrassett, however, was an exceeding amiable no longer very young lady, that was quite entire agreeable to giving Meg piano lessons, but remarked that 'twould be an excellent thing did they have a piano themselves upon which she might practise.

And why not indeed, they were not in such a position that they would be sneered at as being above their station did they have a piano in the parlour. The trouble was how to find one.

My dear, said Eliza, I fancy 'tis entirely the kind of matter that folks advertize for in Mr Lowndes’ paper – sure there are those peruse the for sale &C columns a deal more meticulous than his fine leaders.

Of course, my dear, I do not know why I did not think on’t myself, and 'tis high time I went convoke with him a little anyway.

Comments

[aedifica]

Oh dear. I'm looking forward to seeing how they get rid of that teacher!

[sharpiefan]

Surely school in that era would be worse, though, unless they are incredibly lucky. Corporal punishment was more or less de rigeur in schools, after all.

I'm glad Harry is such a good older brother.

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

This was a period of child-centred educational reformers, many of whom were involved with e.g. dissenting academies, so there would have been schools, like the one Harry and Josh eventually go to, run on more humane lines.

[sharpiefan]

Ah.

The other thing I've been wondering is how old the children are at this point? Quintus is definitely still in petticoats (and I bet he's as cute as a button, too).

I'm imagining Josh as about seven or eight, in a skeleton suit, with Harry as eleven or twelve having just been promoted to adult clothing. And I'm sure you've given their respective ages/age differences somewhere, and I'm completely off the rails. :D

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

Quintus will be in dresses for some years yet; Harry is rising 13; Bess is 11, Meg nearly 10, Josh 7.

[castiron]

Ooh, in a few chapters are we fixing to learn how Miss N- becomes part of the household?

[rymenhild]

They find her through Sandy, some time after Madame C- seeks Sandy's help for Seraphine... and we haven't even met Mr Evenden yet.

[jesuswasbatman]

I'm waiting for the bit where Clorinda explains to Josiah about female barrier methods.

[sharpiefan]

Bad as it sounds, I'm waiting for the Josiah POV on Josh's running away. Because that is originally what cemented him as my favourite of the F-'s children - though it's a clsoe thing and they're all dear and darling and precious.

[nenya_kanadka]

Yes! And whatever it is that starts Eliza really turning the corner healthwise.

(Still SO PISSED that Lady N- didn't have this kind of loving household when she was pulled down after her children's births. Ugh.)

[rhi]

I seem to remember Eliza's health really improves after Mr. Hacker sends her off to take the waters for a few weeks?

God, yes, poor Lady N-!

[catlinyemaker]

That's what I am eagerly awaiting. Reading Eliza sad and ill is more distressing than I'd anticipated and I can't wait until she's on the mend!

[kore]

She gave him a tearful smile. Sure I never knew how much courage and good health went together until I lacked the latter. I am a sad timid creature the day.

True fucking story about chronic illness, man.

I love seeing Josiah and Eliza reminiscing about how they met and their earlier days, too, the foundation of their strong marriage.