CHAPTER 22: GUINEA PIGS
The next evening
The Dining Room
It was almost time for the pork course. Thomas approached Lord Grantham with a decanter. He spoke softly so as not to attract attention. "Perhaps Your Lordship would care to taste the wine for the next course."
Lord Grantham was surprised. "You know I trust Carson's selections, Barrow."
"Yes, my Lord, but I selected this wine."
"Without Carson's approval?" Thomas nodded. "You're a brave man, Barrow." Lord Grantham laughed heartily, which caused the others at the table to look his way. The Dowager and Lord and Lady Merton had joined the rest of the family for dinner. Mrs Crawley had been Lady Merton for several months now, but her new title was often forgotten, and she never mentioned it or took offence.
Lord Grantham tapped the table. "Don't dawdle, man. Give me a taste and let's see how you did."
Thomas poured a small amount of the Merlot he had selected into Lord Grantham's glass. He stood erect and exhibited his calmest butler manner while he waited for Lord Grantham's verdict. The truth was, without Carson's assurance, he had no idea if he had made a sound choice or not.
"Barrow, did Carson offer you no help at all?"
"No, my Lord. I purchased an additional bottle on my own to thank Mr Carson for his help while Mr Bates was indisposed. I wanted Your Lordship's opinion before I gave it to him."
Lady Merton was charmed by innocence of Barrow's remark. "How delightful. Cousin Robert's to be Barrow's guinea pig!" Everyone broke out laughing at the thought of Lord Grantham being Carson's taster. Even the Dowager's mouth threatened to turn up a bit at the corners.
Thomas thought he was the butt of the joke and tried to save himself. "Your Lordship is the only person I know whose knowledge of wine is as sophisticated as Mr Carson's."
"You're a diplomat, Barrow, as well as a scientist," observed the Dowager. A fresh wave of laughter burst from the family.
"You did well, Barrow," proclaimed Lord Grantham. "You may serve the wine. It should pair nicely with roast pork. We'll all be guinea pigs tonight."
Barrow worked his way around the table pouring from the decanter. He was buoyed by Lord Grantham's approval.
"You know, Barrow, after the first few weeks, Carson told me that he wasn't sure you had the palate for wines. How did he manage to develop it?"
Thomas outlined a little of Carson's detailed curriculum. He explained how Carson would present him with a tray of fruits and spices and even flowers along with a wine to help him identify its aromas and flavours. "Mr Carson even put pieces of oak and cedar on the tray. I was afraid he was going to ask me to eat them, my Lord." More laughter arose from the table, but Thomas was beginning to enjoy having an audience.
Lord Grantham was fascinated. "What did he have you do with them?"
"He burned them a bit and had me sniff them."
"How clever!" Lord Grantham turned to the family and explained that he had given Carson free reign to select wines and whatever else he needed for the benefit of Thomas' education.
The Dowager set down her fork. "Do you mean to say that we are suppliers for the Carson School for Hopeful Sommeliers?"
"That is what I mean to say, Mama," replied Lord Grantham.
The Dowager picked up her fork. "You must tell me when we agree to supply cadavers to King's College Medical School so I know when to take the next cruise to the continent!"
The next afternoon
The Carson Cottage
"Charlie, Mr Barrow is here to see you." It was Mrs Hughes' half day, and Thomas had accompanied her home.
"This is a surprise, Mr Barrow. How can I be of service?"
"You've been of service already, Mr Carson. I brought this to thank you for your help while Mr Bates was ill." Thomas handed a bottle of Merlot to Carson.
"Well, now, what's this?" Mr Carson read the label carefully. "Shall I open it now?"
"Oh, no, Mr Carson. Save it for your dinner. It should go well with chicken, pork, or beef, I think. Not with fish, though. I hope you and Mrs Hughes enjoy it."
"This is your first solo selection, Mr Barrow. I look forward to it. Won't you sit down?"
"I'm sorry, but I can't stay. We don't have much wiggle room these days, Mr Carson."
"I could see how it was last week. The family's truly reined in the budget. I must say, Mr Barrow, I was impressed with your organization. Mrs Hughes showed me your cooperative duties chart that merges your two staffs. I could see that the two of you get more done with fewer hands. I also saw your correspondence with other butlers and housekeepers asking how they cut costs. I never would have dared to do such a thing, but some of the suggestions you received were indeed clever and practical."
Thomas was there to deliver his thank you. He had not anticipated compliments. "That means a great deal coming from you, Mr Carson."
Carson smiled. "Don't you think it's time we were Thomas, Charlie, and Elsie, at least in this house?"
Thomas was silent.
Carson was disappointed. "Perhaps you're not comfortable with that."
"You and Mrs Hughes are welcome to call me Thomas whenever you like, but I could never call you by your given names. It would be like calling my parents, Jack and Agnes." And with that Thomas donned his hat and fled back to the Abbey.
