Someone to fall back on

It was agreeable, thought Sir Oliver Brumpage, to be in Heggleton and to feel work under his hands again. Oh, one could not fault the care he had at Bexbury House! – Charley the kindest of daughters, Abertyldd quite the most attentive of sons-in-law, would come discourse with him of matters going forward in the Lords – every thought took for his comfort – the grandchildren an entire pleasure –

But was not ready to be put out to grass just yet! And there were matters of business, both to do with the manufactories and about the impending election, where action at a distance would hardly answer. But, oh, the fuss and fret that he intended this jaunt – sure, Pa, Barton is entire devoted to you, but he is no longer a young man –

So it had come around that young Ollie – the Honble Oliver Parry-Lloyd, Abertyldd and Charley’s second son – came with him, and was showing very promising. Naturally was invited about a good deal in what was considered Society in Heggleton – an exciting new face, and, Sir Oliver conceded to himself, a handsome one that took after the Parry-Lloyds rather than the Brumpages! also a talented musician that could play the bassoon, the bass-fiddle and the pianoforte. One must suppose that were mothers and young ladies looking him over with great interest.

Was also showing himself usefully entering into the family business, that one might not have anticipated. Had not been particularly educated to that end – his brother, Brumpage, the heir, was showing very meritorious conscientious and practical-minded over the management of the Abertyldd estates, that had give Sir Oliver a little hope that they were not all going to turn out a set of idle fribbles –

Well, had he not supposed George Abertyldd entire the like of that when had first encountered him in Society? Perchance no rake – that set about Lord Raxdell give out well-conducted young men given to sporting prowess and niceness of dress in emulation of him – indeed, he had soon been disabused of the notion that Raxdell himself had no thoughts beyond cricket, curricles and cravats, was the greatest friend of Ferraby, had had the wit to appoint MacDonald his secretary –

And here Abertyldd was, entire dutiful about his responsibilities in the government of the nation – perchance not a deep thinker on political oeconomy but was prepared to listen to the counsels of MacDonald and Sir Barton Wallace – that was advized by that wisest of women his wife – and his own father-in-law.

Had he not said somewhat of his concerns to Dowager Lady Bexbury? Had she not responded that, la, young men would kick up their heels, and she could tell tales of His Grace of Mulcaster when he was Lord Sallington! And look at how young Bobbie Wallace has sobered up now he has married!

'Twas true. But – somehow – as he looked at Ben Wilson, that was making such a notable career for himself as an engineer, he wondered whether one should turn out young men to make their own way in the world rather than eat the bread of idleness. Here was Ben – the black son of servants, even were those the famed Hector and Euphemia – gone work with Enoch Dalgleish in Firlbrough, become sufficiently respected for his capacities that like unto the Industrious Apprentice, was the accepted suitor of Dalgleish’s daughter Lucy –

Became most particular interested in matters of aids for the crippled – improved invalid chairs and false limbs, &C, in an enterprize with that fellow Hicks that had been a military surgeon in the Punjaub and Ben’s own sister, the nurse Patience.

There he was looking over Sir Oliver’s invalid chair, and making certain little repairs and improvements, and commenting that they were coming about to superior models now – a deal more comfortable – smoother in movement –

Did one good, to see that! Remarked that he would certainly invest in one of those – 'twas entire false oeconomy to make do in such case –

Ben nodded, and said, entirely so.

The matter proceeded to some discussion of investment – one did not anticipate to make great profits from such a scheme, but was the finest humanitarian endeavour – one wondered whether there might be got up some philanthropic organization to supply such aids to the deserving poor –

Ben grinned. Have already had Lady Bexbury speak to us on the matter!

Could not do better! There is a lady has fine practical notions of doing good – optical dispensaries &C – and managing 'em very effective.

And was also, he thought, a lady of exceeding kind heart, that had been a fine guide to the Brumpages when he had first been elected to Parliament and they had come to Town, and found themselves somewhat daunted by the company they found themselves in.

Ben began carefully putting his tools away – good practices – sure was one ever took ill one would feel a deal better was one in the hands of Sister Patience! everywhere commended. Said was Sir Oliver serious about investment, would send him the prospectus they were putting up – had had Sir Harry Ferraby’s advice in the matter –

The primest fellow for the thing! Splendid chap – cast in the mould of his father –

There was a little argumentation of the matter of a bill – no, no, it is useful instructive to see how these chairs bear up under use, and 'tis only fair to mend any faults –

Well, was he going to purchase an even better chair, would pay well for that! – and promote the interest of this enterprize.

Once Ben had departed, Sir Oliver returned to brooding upon Ollie – sure he was showing bustling enough about Heggleton, but should he not be returning to Town to assist Zipsie in preparing this celebration for Charley’s birthday? Did he not have a part in the cantata as the Fox in the Henhouse? Might he not take some of the burden of the rehearsals from her, given her present state?

'Twas very strange. Though perchance was Lady Theodora Saxorby not at present in Town – dared say the Pockinfords had gone down to their Shropshire estate for election matters – there was not the magnetic attraction that there had been? He was not sure what to make of Ollie’s yearnings for Thea – had they had somewhat to do with his pulling round into more responsible ways, was to the good, and yet, would aught come of it? There she was, daughter of an Earl, quite the matrimonial prize one would consider, and Ollie the second son of a mere Viscount. Little sign that Thea, that was very religious – more so, one fancied, than her sister Aggie that had married a clergyman, but that had been, gossip gave out, her fixed determination to marry her cousin Hughie Lucas, for better for worse &C – whither thou goest –

Indeed, there were rumours that the Pockinfords had been in some perturbation that Thea might join the sisterhood that was quite flourishing in Hughie’s parish. Quite anathema to Lord Pockinford’s severely Evangelical views.

A shy young woman – she and her cousin Lady Eleanor Upweston known as those white rabbits – not of looks that immediate took fellows’ admiration, but one might of a sudden be struck at her likeness to some Flemish Madonna or other in Sallingford’s collection – was not Pockinford wont to mention the ancestor that came over with Dutch William? And of course, what might be supposed in particular to catch Ollie’s interest, a beautiful singing voice, that she was now taking lessons for, even was she still hesitant over performing in public.

But here came Ollie! Had been at the works, and was anxious to convey a deal of intelligence that he had learnt – the boy came on! – and had been mindful of his grandfather’s instructions about ensuring the putting aside a quantity of the seconds to send to the Seamstresses’ Summer Workshops, that excellent enterprize.

And what did young Oliver intend doing the e’en, Sir Oliver enquired, that had a mind himself to go to an instructive lecture at the Institute, with lantern-slides, on the flora of the nearby countryside.

Oh, Ollie shifted from foot to foot, and said, was Granda going out, of course he would be upon hand to push his chair –

What, did you have some other engagement?

Not precisely, said Ollie in the tone that quite immediately evoked suspicion. Then cleared his throat and went on, well, the fact of the matter is, I was going to the theatre –

Have you not seen that play already?

– well, yes, but 'tis an excellent piece and well-acted – and then taking Miss Dalrymple for a late supper –

Miss Dalrymple? Sir Oliver raised his eyebrows in a most ferocious fashion.

That is her stage-name, Ollie explained with somewhat of a stammer, she is Rosalind Richardson – that I knew from Raxdell House parties –

His grandfather went Humph! Sure, one knew that apart from that little matter of unhallowed union, there was something entire respectable about the household of Abertyldd’s antient friend Danvers Dalrymple and the acclaimed thespian Clara Richardson. Why, his mother – a noted philanthropist and also famed for her wisdom in the matter of dogs – lived with 'em – he entire acknowledged the offspring of the match – sure there were married couples a deal more rackety!

But even so. One remembered young Orlando Richardson, that went to New South Wales some few years ago – with a company of actors, not transported! – that had had somewhat of a reputation as a great favourite with ladies. And that had he not departed for austral shores there might well have been matters of crim.con. cases if not worse brought to him.

Sir Oliver snorted softly to himself. Well, he said, I do not see why you may not sup with the young lady. Do you indite her a note apologizing for your absence from the play, and you may meet her at the stage-door later.

Blushing, Ollie was inarticulately effusively grateful at this concession.