The Ironmaster's Tale (51)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

'Twas no great journey to travel to Mr Morrison’s school: 'twould be an easy matter for Harry and Josh to come home of weekends did they go there. Sure Mr Morrison was in orders, but, having no patronage or family interest, did not obtain the presentation to any comfortable living, so set up a school and undertook some matters of occasional taking of services for parsons in the locality that were sick or were obliged to leave their cure of souls for family or other matters.

They were pleased to find him a fellow by no means like unto the vicar: Josiah indeed was minded of Mr Thorne, that loved learning and the wonders of nature, though he fancied Mr Morrison was not so devoted to the pleasures of the gaming table, 'twas just as well. His wife was a fine motherly creature – Josiah could see Eliza look with approval about the housekeeping – boys! sighed Mrs Morrison, for one might see that there had been muddy boots about, but indeed the place had a good homely feel to it. There were some twenty or so pupils, two undermasters, and also Mrs Morrison’s sister Miss Slater, that was a cripple in a wheelchair, a lady of considerable learning, undertook some of the teaching as well as taking charge of mending, for with boys there would, Mrs Morrison said, ever be tearing and coming into holes.

The boys looked entirely well-fed, and by no means cowed in spirit, though entire civil-behaved. There was a fine large garden in which they might run about and play games, were not kept entirely at their desks.

Indeed all seemed entire answerable, the terms reasonable: so, he said to Eliza as they drove home in the gig, shall we send the boys there?

Why, one could have no objection in the least. Mrs Morrison is a fine housekeeper and one sees the boys entirely thrive, I would have no frets for them in her care. Do you have a confidence in Mr Morrison’s paedogogic methods I think we may send 'em as weekly boarders in the autumn.

Entirely prepossessed, my love. We may put it to the vicar that we feel 'tis proper that the boys go away to school – and Morrison is after all ordained in the Established Church, is no dissenter – I hope he may not take a pet in the matter.

He is a touchy fellow, but indeed, 'tis entire common to send boys away to school, to make men of 'em – she sighed. So that they are cut loose from mama’s apron-strings – I hope it may not make 'em rough and disdainful of their sisters –

Come, my dear, was not Frank away at school? Was he not very civil-behaved and respectful towards his female relatives?

'Tis so. O, Jos’, sure I know 'tis his great desire to go to India, and I would not wish stand in his way, but I cannot help but think of the dangers – daresay 'tis foolish in me.

Why, sure there is a deal of risque, but I fancy that wild beasts do not stalk the streets of Madras, where he will be employed, and one hears that 'tis more healthful than used to be – and there was General Yeomans, that went through some several campaigns and lived to a good age –

He must have been a very fine fellow!

Indeed so. When we get home, my love, I purpose having a talk with Harry, to ensure he has no objections to this plan of going to school, and preparing him for this visit to the farm, &C.

'Tis sensible. And I will go talk woman to woman with Bess, that do we have a fine learned governess coming teach 'em, should not wish 'em show up entire ignoramuses but at least in a good command of the rudiments of learning, and therefore they should go address themselves to their studies like good girls. And mind that they are guests on the farm and not go do the family discredit by going brangle with Harry and Josh, but set a good example.

I fancy, said Josiah, that on the farm they are able work off any high spirits afore it comes to fratching together.

I daresay! Well, here we are in town again, must wave and bow and show civil so that none goes say, o, the Ferrabys are become very proud of late, quite above themselves, now they mingle in London Society.

Josiah grunted. Indeed, must go spend some time sitting smoking over ale in certain tavern backrooms &C.

When they were got home and had gone refresh themselves with tea before they went talk with Harry and Bess, Josiah took Eliza’s hand and said, my love, sometimes I fear that I have grown proud – for sure, I come to find a deal of the fellows in the town very narrow in their thinking and unpolished in their manners, and wonder is it that I feel myself superior now I go visit with Dukes and am on easy terms with Lords?

Eliza pursed up her lips and put on her thinking face. Why, I daresay not all dukes and lords are of the like, but sure His Grace of Mulcaster is a most agreeable fellow, and so is the young lady that is now his Duchess, and I had never thought I should find such a friend in a lady of such high rank as Lady Jane. Or indeed one of such breeding and intellect as Lady Wallace. 'Tis perchance that we come to find those with whom we are on more congenial terms now we move in a wider sphere –

Indeed, my love, I think you hit it off exceeding justly. 'Tis not just the dukes and lords – 'tis the coming to be on terms with fellows like MacDonald and Jacob Samuels and Sir Zoffany, that quite opens one’s eyes.

They squeezed one another’s hands. And let us not forget, said Eliza, that nonpareil among women to whom we owe so much. When I consider the refinement of her manners, and the false gentility manifested by that cattish set, that of course would draw in their skirts from her. Her fine apprehension of character – her understanding of society –

He kissed her. Well, my dear 'Liza, I daresay we had better be about these convokings with the children.

She sighed. And I am like to think that Bess will be pleading once more for a little sister: o mama, would it not be charming?

Harry, Josiah was relieved to discover, was most entirely prepossessed with the notion of school: had indeed rather yearned to go away to be educated but had not wished to seem dissatisfied with his lot. Also had apprehended that perchance they might not want to send Josh away just yet?

Why, I had some hesitation in that matter, but I fancy Mr Morrison’s school will entirely answer – 'tis small, he is a fine kindly fellow and his wife takes good care of the household side of affairs, and 'tis close enough that you may come home of weekends –

Harry, that had come to an age when he thought himself past physical demonstrations, flung his arms about his father. O, prime! he cried. Josiah patted him upon the back and ruffled his hair. Sure I know I need not ask you to look after your little brother. But there was another thing – He proceeded to the matter of the visit to the farm and the business of holiday tasks. Harry thought this entire proper, provided Bess did not go brangle.

I fancy your mama is having a word with her upon proper sisterly conduct.

Comments

[azurelunatic]

What a twit this vicar is.

[kathmandu]

Fratching. There's a new word to me.

[nenya_kanadka]

Belatedly catching up--

Yes, fratching is such a perfect word for it! It has the right *sound* for those brangles brought on by exhaustion and close quarters, doesn't it?