Once and for Always by Linda Jones

Author:Linda Jones [Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Linda Jones
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Simon slept well, undisturbed by dreams. He was woken by the sound of an argument beyond his bedroom door.

‘You can’t go in there!’

‘But I want to tell Uncle what you did.’

Noakes’ voice came next. ‘What are you two imps doing here? No, don’t tell me. Get yourselves downstairs. I’ll come and play trains with you after breakfast.’

Simon smiled. Noakes was quite at home here. He lost his reserve and had a particular relationship with the younger boys.

Simon was already out of bed when Noakes entered the room. ‘Good morning, my Lord. Did the boys disturb you?’

‘They were making enough noise to waken the dead.’ It was said with a laugh and Noakes was pleased to see that his master had recovered from his recent distracted mood. Ablutions completed the two men went down to breakfast together. It was another informal meal in the kitchen. They were just in time to hear the cause of the boys’ argument.

‘He poured water in my bed and told Sally I had wet myself.’

‘Well, you stole my cake at supper,’ Ralph replied. ‘I was saving it for bedtime.’

‘That is no excuse. You are not allowed food in the bedroom. You were both in the wrong and I do not want to hear another word about it,’ Maria was saying as Simon and Noakes entered the kitchen.

Maria had just wished the men good morning when James joined them. The boys looked at their mother apprehensively but she just nodded her head and told them to sit down.

James led the brief morning prayers and looked around to see if anyone had anything to add. ‘We have been naughty,’ Ralph muttered.

‘Again?’ James said gravely. Both boys nodded. ‘Are you sorry?’ ‘Yes,’ the boys chorused. ‘Then we will say grace and have our breakfast.’

Simon silently applauded his brother’s tactics. In a few short words he had registered his disappointment and expected remorse. It was far more effective than a demand to know the details and allot punishment. His own father had not been a harsh parent but misdemeanours were dealt with in the formal setting of his study. Followed by a lecture on responsibility and honour. James led by example rather than goading people along with a metaphorical stick.

In the course of the general conversation James mentioned going to collect Iris from school. ‘I should like to go with you,’ Simon said as the maid took his empty bowl. It was another opportunity to spend precious time with his brother. The informal meal allowed everyone, including the housekeeper and maid, to say what they had planned for the day. The subtle division between their ranks still existed. The servants did not pretend to be family and the boys did not speak over an adult.

‘John and I were going to the mill,’ Maria said when everyone left the table, but I must call on Mrs Brewer first. John, if you can, please try to persuade your grandfather to take a break over the holiday. I am sure he does not need to work all day and every day.

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