The Waiting Room by Michael White

Author:Michael White [White, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: EDP
Published: 2016-07-15T04:00:00+00:00

Interlude Five

~ In which children are scrutinised ~

Silence fell about the room as Mister Berkeley took his seat once more. I was astounded at the tale as were most of the gentlemen remaining at the table. I was also still in shock as to Moon’s impertinent manner and his question to me as to whether I believed that these were mere stories or not. Nevertheless, I had listened to Mister Berkeley’s story with interest and had concentrated on that instead to remove from my mind the displeasure I felt towards my manservant.

What a story it was! Those poor children! I have expressed already an affinity I have with dogs when I allow it and I feel children are the same, especially my own two sons of course. I simply cannot understand how any adult can hurt a child, or endanger them, or worse; and here was just such an example. Though it must be said that the father got all that he deserved as he continually ignored his brood (to use his own words) to his eventual detriment of all.

“Quite appalling! Said Jeptha Farrager from the top of the table to the right of Apollyon who sat watching us all again, boots up on the table as usual. “Any corruption of a child must be dealt with forcefully and swiftly, for they are unable to defend themselves”.

“I completely agree.” Said Cornelius Radley, the engineer who sat on the other side of Mister Berkeley off to my right. Berkeley sat now as if he were a man broken, his head in his hands, oblivious to all. I regarded him with pity but as I looked at him I saw close to where his elbows rested on the table a small black fleck of something on the tablecloth. Peering closer I was sure that it was soot!

I gasped out loud as Dickinson Evans to my immediate left, not noticing my discovery at all, agreed with the speakers so far.

“Such a terrible tale.” He lamented. “The poor children.” Byron Rothering to the side of Mister Farrager nodded his head vigorously and yet said nothing, while of course Gabriel Moon sat staring ahead of himself once again as if nothing in the world mattered to him in the slightest. Apollyon simply continued to stare at us all, following the conversation as it moved about the table. Finally, he spoke.

“Children have such an aptitude for evil do you not think gentlemen?” he suddenly sneered, which provoked an outcry around the table.

“Of course not!” yelled Radley.

“Only if they have not been taught right from wrong!” protested Evans, and I was forced to agree with them. Apollyon however did not seem to be convinced.

“They constantly push at the boundaries of what is right and wrong as if testing what they can evade blame or discovery for I feel.” Smiled the Earl, before concluding, “It is one of their more endearing qualities I find.”

“In what respect, your Lordship?” enquired Rothering. “I find your reasoning at best confused. I have found in my life that no child is born evil or full of hate.

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