CHAPTER 59: MUD DAY
Late morning, the next day
Thomas Barrow's Pantry
On most days, Bates stopped by Thomas' pantry before lunch to see if there had been any business developments needing his attention. Today, Bates knocked and opened the door to find Thomas cleaning glassware at the sink.
"Close the door and have a seat, Mr Bates, if you can spare a few minutes."
Bates closed the door behind him. "I have nothing that can't wait."
Thomas continued his work. "Are you still meeting Robinson this afternoon?"
"Yes. Do you still insist I take Miss Sybbie?"
Thomas laughed. "Anna told me not to say insist. She told me to say suggest. I suggest you take Miss Sybbie. Lady Mary's given her permission. I'll help her select a suitable dress right after lunch."
"Perhaps I should take Timothy with me to negotiate the beer?"
"Sybbie's almost seven, John, and the event was her idea. Besides, you old goat, you agreed to it at our last meeting. You're not going to back out now, are you?"
"No. Have the girl ready, and I'll bring her."
"She'll be ready." Thomas set down the glass he'd been drying and paused before picking up another. "There's something else."
"Oh?"
Thomas hesitated. Then he pulled up the other chair and sat close to Bates. "I need to speak to Bonnie John."
Bates was surprised by Thomas' request and his demeanour softened. "He's sitting right here."
"May I speak to you as your little brother?"
"Always, Pooh."
"Remember, yesterday ... I said that I wasn't aroused when Minnie sat on my lap. That was the truth."
"Right."
"I was embarrassed to tell you and Ivor how much I liked holding her on my lap. I liked cuddling with her, John. Do you think I'm ... childish?"
"Certainly not. There are times when Anna and I want nothing more than to cuddle."
"Minnie's so much fun, John, and she's terribly clever. When I take her to our dances, I feel proud to have her on my arm."
"I know, Pooh. You don't have to sell me on Minnie. She's not the issue."
"John ... is sex truly such an important part of marriage?"
Bates bit his lower lip to appear contemplative rather than amused. "It's not sex so much as passion, little brother. I believe that passion is crucial in a marriage."
"John ... Minnie feels passion for me. I mean, she's in love with me."
"What makes you say that?"
"She's told me so. Isn't it enough if one of us feels passion, John?"
"I don't believe it is, little brother. And deep down, you don't believe it either, or you wouldn't be asking me.
"I'm tired of being lonely, John."
"I know, Pooh."
"John, I do love Minnie. Perhaps it's not passion, but I do love her."
"I know."
"John, if we marry ... will you and I still be friends?"
"How can you ask me that?" Thomas shrugged. Bates took Thomas' chin in his hand and could see the distress in his eyes. "Is that what's worrying you?" Thomas shrugged again. "Pooh, you know how I feel about this match, but I'll respect your decision. I make you this promise, Pooh. If, after you complete all of Ivor's tasks, you still decide to wed, then I will embrace your marriage and do whatever I can to help. Are you listening to me?" Thomas nodded and Bates released him.
"You need to put your energies into those tasks, Pooh. They'll force you and Minnie to consider your plans more carefully." Bates slipped his hand inside Thomas' coat and placed it firmly on his chest. It was an unusually intimate gesture for Bates that surprised Thomas and made his heart pound. "You're going to have to dig deep, little brother, and be honest with yourself every step of the way. Can you do that?"
"I can do that. I have you to keep me honest, don't I?"
Bates withdrew his hand from Thomas' coat and patted Thomas' cheek. "I'll try, but you're a contrary devil, little brother. Did you tell Minnie about Ivor's suggestions?"
"Yes."
"What happened?"
"Minnie was shocked that I told Ivor about us. She still thinks of him as a movie star and couldn't understand why he'd be interested or why I'd tell him. I explained that he and I are close and that he's known similar couples. She's a sensible woman, John, and she's agreed to work through all the steps."
Bates hid his disappointment. "That's a good start."
"Ivor said that the first thing was to show Minnie the scars on my wrists."
"That's right."
"I told Minnie I had something to show her. She said, I knew it, you have six toes, don't you?" Bates chuckled. "She caught me off-guard, and when she saw my expression, she thought she had guessed it. She asked, Is it six toes altogether or all on one foot? So you see, John, she's willing to take me even with six toes!"
Bates laughed. "She's a pip!"
"When I showed Minnie the scars, she asked to speak to you about them."
"Me? Why?"
"I told her that you were the one who helped me get back on my feet ... afterwards."
Bates sighed. "I want you to listen to me and hear exactly what I'm saying, little brother."
"I'm listening."
"If I speak to Minnie about your slitting your wrists and she decides not to marry you, no matter what the cause, you'll blame me. You'll resent me, and that will poison our friendship."
"Am I so unreasonable?
"Don't push me between the two of you! Please!"
"Don't be upset, John. I'll leave you out of it. But what do I tell Minnie?"
"Perhaps she could talk to Dr Clarkson. He treated you. He was the one who decided to keep you at the Abbey instead of admitting you to the hospital."
"We'd have to tell him our plans."
"He's a doctor. He knows how to keep a confidence. I've got to get on now, Pooh. His Lordship's waistline is demanding that I do battle with the seam allowance in His Lordship's uniform."
Thomas was deep in thought and nodded vaguely. "A doctor has to keep a confidence," he mused.
After lunch
The Music Room
Miss Sybbie was having a piano lesson. "I'm here to help Miss Sybbie prepare for her business appointment," Thomas solemnly informed the new governess, Miss Victoria Petty.
Miss Sybbie's chest swelled with pride as she took Thomas' hand. "How do I prepare, Mr Barrow?"
"You must select a dress that is business-like without being ostentatious, Miss Sybbie," replied Thomas.
"Osdelicious?"
"Ostentatious. Say, osten, osten, osten," instructed Thomas, taking a step with each word.
"Osten, osten, osten," repeated Miss Sybbie, stepping with the same rhythm.
"Say, tatious, tatious, tatious."
"Tatious, tatious, tatious."
"Say, osten, tatious, osten, tatious."
"Osten, tatious, osten, tatious."
"Now, say Ostentatious!"
"OSTENTATIOUS! Ostentatious, ostentatious, ostentatious," sang Miss Sybbie as she skipped up the stairs. "What does it mean, Mr Barrow?"
"It means showing off, Miss Sybbie."
"Oh, I don't want to show off. What's business-like, Mr Barrow? Does it mean serious? Do I have to wear black?"
"No, Miss Sybbie, it doesn't mean serious. To be business-like, you must show that you're friendly, but you must show that you believe in your business, too. What's your business, Miss Sybbie?"
"Mud Day!"
"And do you believe in Mud Day, Miss Sybbie?"
"Yes! Mud Day will be the best day there ever was! And I know the perfect dress to wear, Mr Barrow!"
Later that afternoon
Robinson Bros. Jewellers
The younger Robinson brother was single and had attended the Barrow & Bates Valentine's Dance. He was impressed by the event and gave Bates his card. Now Bates and Miss Sybbie were meeting with the older Robinson brother, who was a family man. Mr Robinson fetched a tall stool for Miss Sybbie so the three could converse more easily.
"You're wearing a lovely frock, Miss Sybbie."
"Thank you, Mr Robinson. The polka dots show that I'm friendly, and the shoulder cape shows that I mean business!"
Mr Robinson laughed. "You certainly dressed with purpose. I understand that you and Mr Bates are here to ask for a trinket to use as a prize."
Miss Sybbie nodded. "Yes, Mr Robinson, for the ugliest girl."
"Excuse me?"
Bates interrupted. "The event is for girls from five to twelve. They will come to the cricket field dressed as boys in old clothes and rags. The prize will be for the most bedraggled-looking girl."
"That's right, Mr Robinson. The most be-raggled," added Miss Sybbie, wanting to get in the last word.
"The cricket field in April? It'll be mighty muddy."
Bates nodded. "We're counting on it, and we'll help it along if need be. We're calling it, Mud Day, and hope to make it an annual event. It's strictly to raise money for the library. We're not taking any profit."
Mr Robinson snorted. "You expect little girls to play cricket in the mud? Certainly you won't be playing, Miss Sybbie."
"I can't wait, Mr Robinson!" contradicted Miss Sybbie. "My cousin, George, has a time every day that he's allowed to play and get dirty because he's a boy, but I always have to be ladylike. It's so boring!" She made a face.
Mr Robinson grew thoughtful. "Mrs Robinson constantly rebukes our little Molly for unladylike behaviour while she allows our three boys to run amok. Perhaps Molly would enjoy a special day to roughhouse. But she doesn't know the first thing about cricket."
"Miss Sybbie doesn't know cricket either. It won't be a proper match with scorekeeping. Mr Barrow and a few other men will clown and teach the girls how to play and spread the mud about. We expect some of the fathers to watch, so we'll have beer for sale. Other refreshments will be included in admission."
"I suppose I could toss a ball with Molly a bit before the big day. I'll ask her to spread the word among her friends. Do you have fliers, Mr Bates?"
"We'll have them Friday."
"Now then, Miss Sybbie, I'll set out some trinkets for you, and you may select the prize."
A short time later
Outside Robinson Bros. Jewellers
Bates bent down and shook Miss Sybbie's hand. "Nicely done, Miss Sybbie."
"Thank you, Mr Bates. You won't lose the prize, will you?"
"No, it's safe in my inside pocket, Miss Sybbie."
What do we do now, Mr Bates?"
"We should wait for Mr Barrow. He must be delayed at the hospital." Bates did not understand why Thomas had to go the hospital to arrange Minnie's consultation with Dr Clarkson. He could have made the appointment over the phone. And what could be taking so long? "Would you care to accompany me to the candy shop, Miss Sybbie? I promised to buy some toffee for Mrs Bates."
"Toffee is my favourite, Mr Bates!"
Bates made his purchase, and he and Miss Sybbie each took a toffee before he tucked the sack into a pocket. As they left the shop, Miss Sybbie spotted Thomas leaving the hospital. She jumped up and down, shouting, "Here we are, Mr Barrow!" Thomas waved and ran across the road to meet them.
"You were right, Mr Barrow," relented Bates. "Miss Sybbie promoted a pretty piece of jewellery, and Mr Robinson is eager to distribute our fliers."
Thomas knelt and shook Miss Sybbie's hand. "Congratulations, Miss Sybbie! Your first business meeting was a success. I knew you could do it." When Thomas stood, Bates could see that his eyes were red-rimmed. Still, Thomas took Miss Sybbie's hand and chatted merrily about their plans for Mud Day as they strolled to the Abbey. Bates wondered what had upset Thomas at the hospital but knew to hold his tongue.
