The Ink-Pot and the Palette

Sir Harry Ferraby considered himself a reasonably contented man. Whenever he went to Firlbrough – and sure, they would soon have to be decamping to go there with this election impending, would look very strange did he not return there to support Bobbie Wallace! – was obliged to indicate, o, very subtly, of course, that was somewhat of a trial to be the one that represented the interests of Ferraby, Dalgleish and Gaskell in the metropolis, but alas, someone had to be on the spot. To be able to go into the City – talk to Government offices – meet with Members of Parliament - &C&C.

As well as keep up with all the new developments! Some of what one heard at lectures at the Royal Society or saw at demonstrations at the Royal Institution might still be somewhat theoretical, but nonetheless, worth keeping one’s eye upon. Fellows that it was sensible to make the acquaintance of.

But, taking it all in all, he was happy living here in lovely leafy Blackheath with his lovely lively Louisa and his adored offspring – very convenient for the City and for Westminster but entirely healthful. And then, here were his brothers and sisters close at hand – Meg in Highbury with Sebastian – Quintus and Sukey in that part just north of Oxford Street that medical men were beginning to move into – his beloved baby sister Flora no great distance away in Surrey – and for the past few years they had had the delightful presence of Josh, rather than the worry of what might come to him upon some zoological expedition.

And perhaps it was for the best for familial harmony that Bess resided in Leicestershire on the Ollifaunt estates, because even in these years of maturity they were wont to fall into brangles, though now it was over business matters. Indeed they were greatly fond of one another, and Harry had been able to be of considerable assistance to Bess over certain stage machinery in her theatres, but quarrelling was something of an antient habit with 'em.

Had been a great pleasure to turn his hand to those matters of machinery – for was there one source of regret and discontent, was that his course had not led him into the career of an engineer. Had been well-trained in that, but had fallen out that by the time he was out of his articles, his father had been in the greatest need of a reliable deputy by his side.

For there was Josiah Ferraby – shortly to be knighted and subsequently raised to the rank of baronet – an MP that took his responsibilities in the governance of the realm with all due seriousness, and attended the Commons a deal more regularly than many that wrote those letters after their names! – and also undertook a deal of work in the matter of getting up private bills, and talking to government offices, for the improvements under hand in Firlbrough. While Mama had been entirely capable of dealing with most of the business matters as far as correspondence went, it seemed prudent to send young Mr Ferraby, that was being brought on in the family enterprize, to meetings in the City &C. Had been provided with a cicerone in the person of Sebastian Knowles, some few years his senior, already part of the Raxdell House set through his sister’s marriage to the Duke of Mulcaster.

There had been a good deal of fascination in it all – and talking it all over with his mother and father, and Sebastian, and then with Sandy MacDonald, that was entirely an intimate of the east wing household at Raxdell House. Then having the occasional flash of illumination from a passing comment of Clorinda Bexbury’s.

No, he could not say he had been forced to drudge at uncongenial toil –

Although there had been times – after his father’s sudden, too early, death, and then during his mother’s long and painful illness – when indeed he had felt it a weight bearing upon him – had more than once even come to weeping in Lou’s arms.

But they had pulled through.

Did Harry occasional desire to have work in his hands, why, he had a workshop at this house where he might tinker a little, and where he might convoke with Ben Wilson and others about their inventions, and make suggestions.

He had lately observed Una Wallace, that he fancied, from how she went about with the wooden bricks, showed a talent towards engineering. For were you the brother of Flora Ferraby you did not suppose that women were incapable of such! And had they not heard of Clorrie Thorne, in New South Wales – that was now Clorrie Hackstead – had been trained as surgeon by Mr Carter and was as competent a hand with the scalpel as any product of your fine hospitals? Quintus indeed would say that in past times had been noted female physicians and surgeons, 'twas entire vulgar prejudice to suppose their sex incapable.

He had seen Lou’s warm heart moved to pity at Una’s plight – dispatched much like a parcel by her father in Nova Scotia to his Wallace relatives in London – some little worries about her health, her mother, a lady of the native tribes of Upper Canada, having died of consumption shortly after her birth, making residence in Town seem somewhat imprudent –had led 'em quite to concede to her suggestion that Una should come live in the healthful airs of Blackheath. Saw how it painfully reminded her of when she herself had been dispatched, along with her governess Miss Millick, to reside with her horrid relatives the Fraylinghams.

Knew that Lou greatly regretted that she had not been able to bear him more children – had been a number of sad miscarriages 'twixt Maria and Hal – and that perchance led her to extend her maternal care – had greatly taken to the young Frinton boy that was a schoolfellow of Adam Knowles and the Ollifaunt boys –

But though he might be fatherless one saw that Ginevra Frinton was an excellent woman that brought him up in quite exemplary fashion! And sure, 'twas hardly for the Ferrabys to go be priggish in such cases – for Harry himself had been born somewhat precipitate after his parents’ nuptials, that having been the only means Eliza Hallock had found to get her father to concede to her wedding that scapegrace Josiah Ferraby! Was not Clorinda Bexbury, in the days of the Regent a crack Lady of the Town, entirely in the capacity of a beloved family member, even was she not the actual relative that rumour gave out?

He hoped that this mission that Clorinda and Sandy MacDonald – himself quite part of the family – were about today did not distress Una.

One quite saw the sense in it. Here was a young man, a groom of good character and given out an excellent hand with horses, taken in enmity by a fellow of wealth and influence, turned off without a character, and 'twas feared he might be in further danger from having, perchance, in all innocence, witnessed some malign acts. So might it not be a fine thing for him to go seek his fortune in Nova Scotia? Surely the Collinses and Colonel Wallace could use a chap of his talents in their enterprize raising work-horses as well as fine riding-nags.

Was certainly a prepossessing young fellow! Fine open face – had clearly took trouble over his appearance, though one saw the clothes were somewhat patched and mended. Harry caught Nick Jupp’s eye and Nick nodded approvingly – one might apprehend that he had been making his own judgements and that they were positive. Dared say that would have been entire happy to advance him to a place in his brother Sam’s livery stables: but one felt young Oxton might be safer well out of Town, where he might catch his former employer’s eye.

This surmize was confirmed by Sandy – Nick felt quite a regret that Jupp’s might not have the services of the fellow! Quite the nicest hand with horseflesh, The Lady herself had commented upon it.

One might trust Belinda Penkarding’s opinions in the matter!

So here was an introduction being made, and Oxton being very civil to Una, and demonstrating an ease that suggested he had sisters of his own –

Let us not hover, said Clorinda, but stand back a little and discourse of indifferent matters.

In due course Oxton came and said, sure Nova Scotia sounded to be a very fine place, and Miss Una gave the finest character to the Collinses. And indeed, had oft wished to see the world but had not seen how that might be without 'listing, or going for a sailor, that had no taste for.

So he and Sandy went convoke somewhat over the practicalities.

Harry went over to Una, and saw that her eyes looked a little damp.

Come, he said, let us go into my workshop for a spell.

Once inside he handed her his large clean handkerchief and she mopped her face and blew her nose and said, 'twas nothing – just remembering –

Are you homesick?

She frowned a little, and was silent for a moment and at length said, sometimes she was – would strike her quite sudden –

But, she cried, almost in agitation, you must not suppose that I wish to return!

No? Just because your Papa thought it a good idea to send you here, does not mean one might not reconsider –

She gave a little sigh. It was very lonely – I should feel that more now after being here – and I should not have the advantages of a good girls’ school –

He minded that that had been a strong argument for Blackheath!

– I should miss you all very much.

And we should miss you.

A light tapping on the door and came in Clorinda.

Well, that is very happily resolved!

She glanced from one of them to the other. Lou tells me that Una becomes quite your apprentice – shows a talent towards engineering –

She does so, said Harry.

Una quite glowed.

Clorinda smiled. I fancy, she said, that requires more mathematics than she is like to get at that very good school. Here is Janey Merrett, trying to get up interest for a young woman in her coterie to go give lessons –

Harry grinned. So you go about to contrive! Should you like that, Una?

She looked quite ecstatic at the thought.