The Children of the New Forest - Chapter 18

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Chapter eighteen of the Children of the New Forest by
Captain Frederick Marriott. This LibriVox recording is in the public
domain recording by Nick Whitley, Purly, United Kingdom. Chapter eighteen.
Edward said, Edith, scold Pablo, he has been ill treating

(00:23):
my poor cat. He is a cruel boy. Pablo laughed.
See Edward, he's laughing. Put him in the pitfall again
and let him stay there till he says he's sorry.
I'm very sorry now, Missy Edith. But cat bite me,

(00:44):
said Pablo. Well, if pussy did it didn't hurt you much.
And what did I tell you this morning out of
the Bible that you must forgive them who behave ill
to you? Yes, Missy Edith, you tell me all that,
and so I do. I forgive Pussy cause she bite me,

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but I kick her for it. That's not forgiveness, is it, Edward.
You should have forgiven it at once and not kicked
it at all, miss Edith. When pussy bite me, pussy
hurt me, make me angry, and I give her a kick,
then I think what you tell me, and I do

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as you tell me. I forgive Pussy with all my heart.
I think you must forgive Pablo, Edith, said Edward. If
it is only to set him a good example, well
I will this time. But if he kicks pussy again,
he must be put in the pitfall. Mind that, Pablo. Yes,

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Missy Edith, I go into pitfall, and then you cry
and ask Master Edward to take me out when you
have me put in it, for then you not good
Christian because you not forgive. When you cry and take
me out, then you good Christian. Once more, by this conversation,

(02:12):
it will appear to the reader that they had been
trying to impress Pablo with the principles of the Christian religion,
and such was the case, Edith having been one of
the most active in the endeavor, although very young for
a missionary. However, Alice and Humphrey had been more successful,
and Pablo was now beginning to comprehend what they had

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attempted to instill and was really progressing daily. Edward remained
at the cottage, expecting to hear some message from the intendant.
He was right in his conjecture, for on the third day,
Oswald Partridge came over to say that the intendant would
be happy to see him if he could make it

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convenient to go over, which Edward assented to do. On
the following day, Oswald had ridden over on a pony.
Edward arranged to take Billy and return with him. They
started early the next morning, and Edward asked Oswald if
he knew why the Intendant had sent for him. Not exactly,

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replied Oswald. But I think from what I heard mispatients say,
it is to offer you some situation if you could
be prevailed upon to accept it. Very true, replied Edward.
He offers me the post of secretary. What do you think, why, sir,

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I think I would accept it at all events. I
would take it on trial. There can be no harm done.
If you do not like it, you can only go
back to the cottage again. One thing I am sure
of which is that Master Heatherstone will make it as
pleasant to you as he can, for he is most

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anxious to serve you. That I really believe, replied Edward.
And I have pretty well made up my mind to
accept the office. It is a post of confidence, and
I shall know all that is going on which I
cannot do while I am secluded in the forest, and
depend upon it. We shall have stirring news. I suppose

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you think that the King will come over, replied Oswald.
I feel certain of it, Oswald. That is the reason
why I want to be where I can know all
that is going on. Well, sir, it is my opinion
that the King will come over as well as yours.
Yet I think at present he stands but a poor chance.

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But Master Heatherstone knows more on that score than any one,
I should think, but he is very close. The conversation
then changed, but after a ride of eight hours, they
arrived at the Intendant's house. Wood gave Billy into Oswald's
charge and knocked at the door. Phoebe let him in

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and asked him into the sitting room, where he found
the Intendant alone. Edward Armitage. I am glad to see you,
and shall be still more so if I find that
you have made up your mind to accept my proposition.
What is your reply? I am very thankful to you
for the officer, replied Edward. And will accept it if

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you think that I am fitting for it, And if
I find that I am equal to it, I can
but give it a trial and leave. If I find
it too arduous or too irksome. To arduous, it shall
not be that shall be my concern, and too irksome.
I hope you will not find it. My letters are

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not so many, but that I could answer them myself,
were it not that my eyes are getting weak, that
I wish to save them as much as possible. You
will therefore have to write chiefly what I shall dictate.
But it is not only for that I require a
person that I can confide in. I very often shall
send you to London instead of going myself, and to

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that I presume you will have no objection, certainly none, sir. Well,
then it is no use saying any more. Just now
you will have a chamber in this house, and you
will live with me and at my table altogether. Neither
shall I say anything just now about remuneration, as I
am convinced that you will be satisfied. All that I

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require now is to know the day that you will come,
that everything may be ready. I suppose, sir, I must
change my attire, replied Edward, looking at his forester's dress.
That will hardly accord with the office of secretary. I
agree with you that it will be better to keep

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that dress for your forest excursions, as I presume you
will not altogether abandon them, replied the Intendant. You can
provide yourself with a suit at Lymington. I will furnish
you the means. I thank you, sir. I have means
much more than sufficient, replied Edward, although not quite so

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wealthy as little Clara appeared to be wealthy. Indeed, replied
the Intendant, I had no idea that poor Ratliff possessed
so much ready money and jewels. Well, then this is Wednesday.
Can you come over next Monday? Yes, sir, replied Edward,
I see no reason to the contrary. Well, then that

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is settled, and I suppose you would like to see
your accommodation. Patience, Saint Clara are in the next room.
You can join them, and you will make my daughter
very happy by telling her that you are to become
a resident with us. You will, of course dine with
us to day and sleep here to night. Mister Heatherstone

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then opened the door, and saying to his daughter, Patience,
my dear, I leave you to entertain Edward armitage till
dinner time, he ushered Edward in and closed the door again.
Clara ran up to Edward as soon as he went in,
and having kissed him, Edward then took Patience's offered hand.

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Then you have consented, said Patience, inquiringly. Yes, I could
not refuse such kindness, replied Edward. And when do you
come on Monday night? If I can be ready by
that time, why what of you to get ready? Said Clara.
I must not appear in a forester's dress, my little Clara.

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I can wear that with a gun in my hand,
but not with a pen. So I must go to
Lynnington and see what a tailor can do for me.
You will feel as strange in a secretary's dress as
I did in boy's clothes, said Clara. Perhaps I may,
said Edward, although he felt that such would not be

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the case, having been accustomed to much better clothes when
at Arnwood than what were usually worn by secretaries. And
this remembrance brought back Arnwood in its train, and Edward
became silent and pensive. Patience observed it, and after a
time said, you will be able to watch over your sisters,

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mister Armitage as well here, almost as if you were
at the cottage. You do not return till to morrow.
How did you come over? I rode the pony billy, mistress, Patience,
Why do you call her mistress Patience. Edward said, Clara,
you call me Clara, why not call her Patience? You

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forget that I am only a forester, Clara replied Edward
with a grave smile. No, you are a secretary now,
replied Clara. Mistress Patience is older than you by several years.
I call you Clara because you are but a little girl.
But I must not take that liberty with Mistress Heatherstone.

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Do you think so, Patience, said Clara. I certainly do
not think that it would be a liberty in a person,
after being well acquainted with me, to call me Patience,
replied she, especially when that person lives in the house
with us, eats and associates with us as one of
the family, and is received on an equality. But I

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dare say, Clara, that Master Armitage will be guided by
his own feelings and act as he considers to be proper.
But you give him leave and then it is proper,
replied Clara. Yes, if he gave himself leave, Clara said Patience.
But we will now show him his own room, Clara

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continued Patience, wishing to change the subject of conversation. Will
you follow us, sir, said Patience, with a little mock ceremony.
Edward did so without replying, and was ushered into a
large airy room, very neatly furnished. This is your future lodging,

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said Patience. I hope you will like it. Why he
never saw anything like it before, said Clara. Yes I have,
Clara replied Edward. Where did you at Arnwood? The apartments
were on a much larger scale Armwood. Oh, yes, I
have heard my father speak of it, said Clara, with

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the tears starting in her eyes at his memory. Yes,
it was burned down and all the children burned to death,
so they say, Clara. But I was not there when
it was burned. Where were you then? I was at
the cottage where I now live. Edward turned round to

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Patience and perceived that our eyes were fixed upon him,
as if she would have read his thoughts. Edward smiled
and said, do you doubt what I say? No, indeed,
said she, I have no doubt that you were at
the cottage at the time. But I was thinking that
if the apartments at Arnwood were more splendid, those at

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your cottage are less comfortable. You have been used to
better and to worse, and therefore will I trust be
content with these, I trust I have shown no signs
of discontent. I should indeed be difficult to please if
an apartment like this did not suit me. Besides, allow

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me to observe that although I stated that the apartments
at Arnwood were on a grander scale, I never said
that I had ever been a possessor of one of them.
Patience smiled and made no reply. Now that you know
your way to your apartment, Master Arne, we will if
you please go back to the sitting room, said she.

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As they were going back into the sitting room, she said,
when you come over on Monday, you will, I resume,
bring your clothes in a cart. I ask it because
I promised some flowers and other things to your sisters,
which I can send back by the cart. You are
very kind to think of them, Mistress Patience, replied Edward.

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They are fond of flowers and will be much pleased
with possessing any you sleep here to night. I think
my father, said inquired Patience. He did make the proposal,
and I shall gladly avail myself of it, as I
am not to trust to Phoebe's ideas of comfort this time,
said Edward, smiling. Yes, that was a cross action of Phoebe's.

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And I can tell you, Master Armitage, that she is
ashamed to look you in the face ever since. But
how fortunate for me that she was cross and turned
you out as she did. You must forgive her as
she was the means of your performing a noble action,
and I must forgive her as she was the means
of my life being saved. I have no feeling except

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kindness towards Phoebe, replied Edward. Indeed, I ought to feel
grateful to her, for if she had not given me
so bad a bed that night, I never should have
been so comfortably lodged as it is proposed that I
shall be now. I hope you are hungry, Edward, said Clara.
Dinner is almost ready. I dare say I shall eat

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more than you do. Clara. So you ought a great,
big man like you. How old are you, Edward, said Clara.
I am thirteen. Patience is past sixteen. Now how old
are you? I am not yet eighteen, Clara, so that
I can hardly be called a man. Why you are

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as tall as mister Heatherstone. Yes, I believe I am.
And can't you do everything that a man can do.
I really don't know, but I certainly shall always try
so to do well. Then you must be a man. Well, Clara,
if it pleases you, I will be a man. Here

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comes mister Heatherstone. So I know dinner is ready, is
it not, sir, Yes, my child, it is, replied mister Heatherstone,
kissing Clara. So let us all go in. Mister Heatherstone,
as was usual at that time with the people to
whose party he ostensibly belonged, said a grace before meat

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of considerable length, and then they sat down to table.
As soon as the repast was over, mister Heatherstone returned
to his study, and Edward went out to find Oswald Partridge,
with whom he remained the larger portion of the afternoon,
going to the kennel and examining the dogs, and talking

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of matters connected with the chase. I have not two
men that can stalk a deer, observed Oswald. The men
appointed here as burderers and keepers have not one of
them been brought up to the business. Most of them
are men who have been in the army, and I
believe have been appointed to these situations to get rid

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of them, because they were troublesome, and they are anything
but good characters. The consequence is that we kill but
few deer. For I have so much to attend to here,
as none of them know their duties, that I can
seldom take my own gun out. I stated so to

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the intendant, and he said that if you accepted an
offer he had made you and came over here, we
should not want vanison. So it is clear that he
does not expect you to have your pen always in
your hand. I am glad to hear that, replied Edward.
Upon it his own table at all events shall be

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well supplied. Is not that fellow Corbald who is leaning
against the wall. Yes, he is to be discharged as
he cannot walk well. And the surgeon says he will
always lemp. He owes you a grudge, and I am
glad that he is going away, for he is a
dangerous man. But the sun is setting, mister Edward, and

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supper will soon be on the table. You had better
go back to the house. Edward bade Oswald farewell, and
returned to the intendants and found that Oswald was correct,
as supper was being placed on the table. Soon after supper,
Phoebe and the men servants were summoned and prayers offered

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up by the Intendant, after which Patience and Clara retired.
Edward remained in conversation with the Intendant for about an hour,
and then was conducted by him to his room, which
had already been shown to him by Patience. Edward did
not sleep much that night. The novelty of his situation,

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the novelty of his prospects, and his speculations thereon, kept
him awake till near morning. He was, however, up in
good time, and, having assisted at the morning prayers, and
afterwards eaten a most substantial breakfast, he took his leave
of the Intendant and the two girls, and set off

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on his return to the cottage, having renewed his promise
of coming on the following Monday to take up his
abode with them. Billy was fresh and cantered gaily along,
so that Edward was back early in the afternoon, and
once more welcomed by his household. He stated to Humphrey

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all that had occurred, and Humphrey was much pleased at
Edward having accepted the offer of the Intendant. Alice and
Edith did not quite so much approve of it. And
a few tears were shed at the idea of Edward
leaving the cottage. The next day, Edward and Humphrey set

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off for Lymington with Billy in the cart. Do you know,
Edward said Humphrey, what I am going to try and purchase.
I will tell you as many kids as I can,
or goats and kids. I don't care which. Why have
you not stuck enough already? You will this year have
four cows in milk, and you have two cow calves

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bringing up. That is very true. But I do not
intend to have goats for their milk, but simply for
eating in lieu of mutton sheep I cannot manage. But
goats with a little hay in winter will do well
and will find themselves in the forest all the year round.

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I won't kill any of the females for the first year,
Earl too, and after that I expect we shall have
a flock sufficient to meet any demand upon it. It
is not a bad idea, Humphrey. They will always come
home if you have hay for them during the winter, Yes,
and a large shed for them to lie in when

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the snow is on the ground. Now I recollect when
we used to go to Lymington. I saw a great
many goats, and I have no doubt that they are
to be purchased. I will soon ascertain that for you
from the landlord of the hostelry, replied Edward. We will
drive there first, as I must ask him to recommend
me to a tailor. On their arrival at Lymington, they

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went straight to the hostelry and found the landlord at home.
He recommended a tailor to Edward, who sent for him
to the inn, and was measured by him for a
plain suit of dark cloth. Edward and Humphrey then went out,
as Edward had to procure boots and many other articles

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of dress to correspond with the one which he was
about to assume. I am most puzzled about a hat, Humphrey,
said Edward. I hate those steeple crowned hats worn by
the roundheads. Yet the hat and feather is not proper
for a secretary. I would advise you to submit to

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wear the steeple crowned hats. Nevertheless, said Humphrey, your dress,
as I consider, is a sort of disgrace to a
cavalier born and the heir of Arnwood. Why not therefore
take the hat as well? As secretary to the Intendant,
you should dress like him. If not, you may occasion remarks,

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especially when you travel on his concerns. You are right, Humphrey,
I must not do things by halves, and unless I
wear the hat, I might be suspected. I doubt if
the Intendant wears it for any other reason, said Humphrey,
at all events. So I will not go to the
height of the fashion, replied Edward, laughing. Some of the

(22:04):
hats are not quite so tall as the others. Here
is the shop for the hat and for the sword belt.
Edward chose a hat and a plain sword belt, paid
for them, and desired the man to carry them to
the hostelry. While all these purchases on the part of Edward,
and many others by Humphrey, such as nails, saws, tools,

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and various articles which Alice required for the household, were
gathered together. The landlord had sent out to inquire for
the goats and found out at what price they were
to be procured. Humphrey left Edward to put away these
in the cart while he went out a second time
to see the goats. He made an agreement with the

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man who had them for sale for a male and
three females, with two kids each at their sides, and
ten more female kids which had just been weaned. The
man engaged to drive them from Lymington as far as
the road went into the forest on the following day,
when Humphrey would meet them, pay him his money and

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drive them to the cottage, which would be only three
miles from the place agreed upon. Having settled that satisfactorily,
he returned to Edward, who was all ready, and they
went back home. We have dipped somewhat into the bag
to day, Edward, said Humphrey. But the money is well spent.

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I think so, Humphrey. But I have no doubt that
I shall be able to replace the money very soon,
as the intendant will pay me for my services. The
tailor has promised the clothes on Saturday without fail, so
that you or I must go for them. I will go, Edward.
My sisters will wish you to stay with them now,

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as you are so soon to leave them, and I
will take Pablo with me that he may know his
way to the town, and I will show him where
to buy things in case he goes there by himself.
It appears to me to have been a most fortunate
thing your having caught Pablo as you did, Humphrey. For

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I do not well know how I could have left
you if you had not. At all events, I can
do much better without you than I should have done,
replied Humphrey, although I think now that I could get
on by myself. But still, Edward, you know, we cannot
tell what a day may bring forth, and I might

(24:37):
fall sick, or something happen which might prevent my attending
to anything, and then without you or Pablo, everything might
have gone to rack and ruin. Certainly, when we think
how we were left by the death of old Jacob
to our own resources, we have much to thank God

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for in having go on so well. I agree with you,
and also that it has pleased Heaven to grant us
all such good health. However, I shall be close at
hand if you want me, and Oswald will always call
and see how you get on. I hope you will
manage that he calls once a week. I will if

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I can, Humphrey, for I shall be just as anxious
as you are to know if all goes on well. Indeed,
I shall insist upon coming over to you once a fortnight.
And I hardly think the Intendant will refuse me. Indeed,
I am sure that he will not. So am I
replied Humphrey, I am certain that he wishes us all

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well and has in a measure taken us under his protection.
But Edward recollect, I shall never kill any venison after this,
and so you may tell the Intendant I will, and
that will be an excuse for him to send some
over if he pleases. Indeed, as I know, I shall
be permitted to go out with Oswald. It will be

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hard if a stray buck does not find its way
to the cottage. Thus did they continue talking over matters
till they arrived at the cottage. Alice came out to them,
saying to Humphrey, well, Humphrey, have you brought my yeas
and ducks. Humphrey had forgotten them, but he replied, you

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must wait till I go to Lymington again on Saturday, Alice,
and then I hope to bring them with me as
it is. Look how poor Billy is loaded. Where's Pablo
in the garden. He has been working there all day
and Edith is with him. Well, then we will unload

(26:47):
the cart while you get us something to eat, Alice,
for we are not a little hungry. I can tell
you I have some rabbit stew on the fire, Humphrey,
all ready for you, and you will find it very good.
Nothing I like better, my dear girl, Pablo won't thank
me for bringing this home, continued Humphrey, taking the long

(27:09):
sow out of the cart. He will have to go
to the bottom of the pit again as soon as
the pit is made. The cart was soon unloaded, Billy
taken out and turned out to feed, and then they
went into the supper. Humphrey was off the next morning
with Pablo at an early hour to meet the farmer

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of whom he had purchased the goats and kids. He
found them punctual to the time at the place agreed upon,
and being satisfied with the lot, paid the farmer his money,
and drove them home through the forest. Goat very good,
kid better, always eat kid in Spain, said Pablo. Were

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you born in Spain? Pado? Not sure, but I think so. First,
recollect myself in that country? Do you recollect your father? No?
Never see him? Did your mother? Never talk about him?
Call her mother? But think no mother at all? Custom

(28:20):
with Gitanas. Why did you call her mother? Cause she
feed me when little beat me when I get big,
All mothers do that. What made you come to England?
I don't know, but I hear people say plenty of
money in England, plenty to eat, plenty to drink, Bring

(28:42):
plenty money back to Spain. How long have you been
in England? One? Two? Three year? Yes, three year and
a bit. Which did you like best? England or Spain?
When with my people? Like Spain best, warm sun, warm

(29:04):
night England little son, cold night, much rain, snow and
air always cold. But now I live with you, have
warm bed, plenty victuals, like England best. But when you
were with the Gypsies, they stole everything? Did they not

(29:26):
not steal everything? Replied Pablo, laughing, sometimes take and no
pay when nobody there. Farmer looked very sharp, have big dog?
Did you ever go out to steal? Make me go out,
not bring back something? Beat me very hard? Suppose Farmer

(29:50):
catch me beat hard too, nothing but beat, beat, beat,
Then they obliged you to steal. You suppose bring nothing
home first, beat and then not have to eat for one, two,
three days. How you like that, Master Humphrey, I think

(30:13):
you steal after no victuals for three days? I should
hope not, replied Humphrey. Although I have never been so
severely punished, and I hope Pablo, you will never steal
any more? Why steal any more? Replied Pablo, I do
not like to steal, but because hungry, I steal now.

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I never hungry, always have plenty to eat. No one
beat me. Now, sleep warm all night. Why I steal then? No,
Master Humphrey, I never steal more cause I have no
reason why. And cause Missy Allison Edith tell me how

(30:59):
the good God up there say must not steal. I
am glad to hear you give that as a reason, Pablo,
replied Humphrey, as it proves that my sisters have not
been teaching you in vain. Like to hear Missy Alice talk.
She talk grave. Missy Edith talk too. But she laugh

(31:20):
very much, very fond Missy Edith, very happy little girl,
jump about just like one of these kids. We drive
home always marry a Sea cottage. Now soon get home,
Massa Humphrey. Missy Edith likes sea kids very much where
we put them. End of Chapter eighteen. Recording by Nick Whitley, Peurly,

(31:49):
United Kingdom,