I want to thank JF, TammyTeresa64, and Lady Spotted Horse again for the diplomatic way that yesterday's disagreement was settled. Sometimes it is easy to forget that we are dealing here with FICTION. Perhaps that's because reality is so horrible at the moment that we escape into this fantasy world, which becomes so much more satisfying when we have friends to share it with. So I say again, we Andith shippers are very lucky to belong to this wonderful band of supporters, and I appreciate and treasure every reader, every review, every favourite, and every follow.
And perhaps some of us could wander over to the Bedith corner of FF from time to time?
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Having the Home Secretary supporting Paddington's cause was a major boon. He instructed his civil servants to arrange the majority of the meetings with other MPs that Anthony, Matthew, Edith, and Celia had expected to have to do themselves. There was one problem in that animals of any kind were banned from the Palace of Westminster, so if MPs wanted to meet Paddington they had to do so in Victoria Tower Gardens, or, if it was raining, in a nearby café, or at the Home Office building. Sometimes, these politicians did not wish to meet him, especially if they were ambiguous about whether they were pro or con granting him the same rights as humans in law. With such people, Anthony found that Matthew was a godsend. He had charm, but argued forcefully and persuasively, just like a good barrister should. When Paddington was part of the meetings, he was remarkable. He was so polite and diplomatic that no one had any excuse to think him unworthy of being considered 'civilised' in law.
All this activity and interest among politicians, journalists, and other interested parties such as animal lovers and constitutional reformers meant that the first reading of the bill to grant rights to 'intelligent non-humans capable of moral and ethical behaviours' was pushed to the top of the pile. Before Anthony or Matthew knew it, the second, most important reading had been scheduled for five days' time.
The meetings with MPs continued, and everyone was getting very tired.
"It's only for another week. We must all remember that" stated Anthony at dinner one night.
"That's what you think" muttered Celia. When her brother looked at her sternly, she clarified.
"If you win in the Commons, we'll have it all to do again for the Lords."
"It won't be as bad" said Matthew. "The Lords are really a glorified checking service to make sure the Commons don't do anything supremely stupid.
"But the Lords includes the Earl of Grantham." Everyone looked at Edith who was looking down, quietly sad.
"You don't have to be part of that particular meeting, you know" said Anthony.
"That's kind of you, but do you think I am going to be able to ignore my father for the rest of my life? No, I should go. It's the only way we might sway him."
Paddington put his paw on her hand. "Don't worry, Lady Edith. It gives me an opportunity to pay you back for all your kindness, because this time I can be there for you."
Edith sniffed, mumbled "Thank you Paddington", and kissed the top of his furry head before running out of the French windows to the garden.
Anthony stood.
"Please continue with your meal. I'll see if she's all right."
Then he slowly walked out towards Edith, giving her some time to herself before he reached her, sitting on a seat by a small fountain under a tree at the end of the perfectly manicured little city plot.
"Edith, are you okay? Do you need anything?"
"A different life."
"Oh my dear!"
"I know. I know. That's very ungrateful of me, when there are thousands of people with much less than I have. But…"
Anthony risked coming a little closer.
"You didn't choose your family."
"No, I didn't!"
"May I sit with you for a moment?" he asked gently.
"Yes, please do."
He sat and offered her his clean handkerchief, which she took gratefully.
"Have you thought what will happen to Paddington after all this is over?" he asked.
"I assumed that he would live here with you. You're not going to throw him out, are you?" Edith looked really shocked.
"No, of course not. I wouldn't dream of doing anything like that. The poor bear's been through such a lot already. But sooner or later he may want to leave to look for a life of his own. I was thinking I might set up a trust fund for him, so he doesn't have to scrape and scrounge…had a bit of stability. What do you think?"
"I think that's very generous of you. Paddington's a sensible bear. He doesn't strike me as a bear who would blow it all on the horses, lady bears, and marmalade."
Anthony laughed, a proper laugh, which made her feel better too.
"While we're on the subject, I…I was thinking…after the vote in the Lords, if…if your father still feels…um…"
"Yes?"
"…that is, if you could find it in your heart to forgive me, and consent…"
"Yes?" Edith could've sworn her heart stopped, waiting to hear what he had to say.
He took a run at his proposal, getting it out quickly before he lost courage.
"I could do the same for you, Edith. A trust fund…to enable you to be independent, if you wanted."
He looked at her with hope, dread, and a dozen other emotions.
"After all, it's because of me that you left Downton. It's because of what I did that you found yourself campaigning on behalf of a small Peruvian bear you'd never met before. I want to try to help…if I can…if you'll let me."
Edith got up and turned to him.
"You want to pay me off?"
"No! That's not what I meant, not at all!"
"For services rendered?"
"Oh god, Edith! I just want to be helpful, that's all! Please, I…"
"Helpful? If you wish to be helpful to me, you can never again give me the impression that you are about to propose marriage…for the umpteenth time, I might add…and then ask me my price!"
"I'm sorry, Edith. I've made such a mess of this. Please…"
"Good night, Sir Anthony."
She tossed his handkerchief back at him and stomped back to the house.
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For the next week, in the run up to the Commons debate, Edith and Anthony avoided each other. Anthony was convinced that he had wrecked his last hope of ever winning Edith. It was all he deserved, he thought, after he had thrown so many other chances away in the last seven years.
Edith was not mad at him, not really. It was just that he had sat with her under a tree in the dusk and breathed expectant words to her…perhaps it was her fault that she expected him to propose. It was just wilful thinking on her part, she thought sadly. Although he undoubtedly loved her, she was now resigned to never seeing that part of him ever again. He wouldn't allow himself to go against what his sense of honour had decreed. She threw herself into working for Paddington's emancipation.
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The day of the debate arrived. After much frank discussion, it had been decided that Matthew, Anthony, Celia, and Edith would go to the House of Commons to observe the proceedings from the Public Gallery. Paddington couldn't enter the Palace of Westminster so he would stay home and Stewart and Mrs Bird would keep him company.
After hugs and good wishes, Anthony and the others left in a taxi in good time to be seated before the debate began.
"Well, Master Paddington, what would you like to do for the rest of the day?"
"I know it's a lot to ask, Mr Stewart, but could we visit the dog pound with some nice things to eat? I feel that I have neglected the friends I made there for far too long."
"That's a very nice thing to do, Paddington" said Mrs Bird. "I should like to meet your friends as well."
The three of them bought some nice treats from the butchers and went over to the dog pound. Bert, the Council official at the pound, was overjoyed to see Paddington again.
"You's a big cheese now, ain't you, bear?! I always thought you's would be. Gonna be debated in the House of Commons an' everyfing. Fancy you rememb'ring us down 'ere! Right gentlemanly that is, an' no mistake."
He was even more effusive when they produced the cake they had brought for him. Then he led them out to the kennels. The dogs had already smelled that Paddington was there and had sent up a barking and howling welcome for him. The sausages and pies they had brought were wolfed down gratefully. Stewart and Mrs Bird watched, teary-eyed while Paddington spoke in halting dog to the inmates.
"My proficiency in the dog language is pretty dreadful, it has to be said, but I believe kindness and respect translates easily into any language" he said while stroking a large, sad-faced terrier.
"I couldn't agree more, Paddington" approved Mrs Bird. Stewart, stroking a small Chihuahua-cross, looking up at him with big, adoring eyes, could only manage to mumble and nod.
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On the way back to Strallan House Stewart was trying to cheer everyone (including himself) up by suggesting that Paddington help Mrs Bird make his favourite Marmalade Cake with Orange Icing.
"I might even ask Mrs Bird to add in a little Cointreau just to make it extra special."
"What's Cointreau, Mr Stewart?" asked Paddington.
"Don't go leading that poor bear into evil ways, Stewart!" laughed Mrs Bird.
"Cointreau isn't evil, at least not in small amounts. It's a French alcoholic liqueur. It's made from oranges. It adds a bit of a zing to the icing, in my view" Stewart replied.
"I would be very interested to try it, thank you for suggesting it, Mr Stewart" said Paddington.
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The debate started well enough. Some of the backbench MPs who had met Paddington made complimentary speeches. Some who had not met him, made snide comments back. The remarks became more and more vitriolic as deep-seated prejudices worked their way to the surface.
Anthony and Edith looked at each other with dismay as it all seemed to be unravelling. But suddenly, the Speaker called upon the member for Paisley.
Mr Asquith, the Leader of the Opposition, rose to the Despatch Box and began in his usual weighted and balanced manner, giving good reasons that intelligent animals capable of moral and ethical behaviour should be given rights equivalent to those held by humans. As he continued to speak he became more and more impassioned, likening the emancipation of Paddington and his fellows to the Children's Act of 1908, known as The Children's Charter, a piece of legislation that he was proud to have steered through Parliament.
At the end of his speech, he sat to extended cheers not only from the opposition benches but from all around the house.
The Speaker called upon the Prime Minister.
David Lloyd George, the so-called 'Welsh Wizard', was a politician through and through. He knew when to choose his battles, and when to adhere to the prevailing wind. He stood at the Despatch Box and said in his marvellous Welsh accent "Honourable Members of this House, I agree with everything my Right Honourable friend said" and sat down again to further thunderous applause.
The Speaker stood, called "Order! Order! The Question is Whether Intelligent Non-Humans should be granted rights in law similar to those afforded humans. As many as are of that opinion say Aye." Almost the entire House joined in a thunderous shout of "Aye". The Speaker called "Of the contrary, No" and although there were a few shouts of "No" they were scattered and few, and immediately jeered by other Members.
The Speaker then announced "The Ayes have it". And all kinds of chaos were let loose in the House. Reporters ran past Anthony, Celia, and Edith to get to their offices or the nearest telephone. The Speaker called for order, and failed completely.
Celia turned and hugged her brother, and then Edith, full of elation.
"Goodness, brother. You did it! You changed the law!"
"We've still got the House of Lords who can amend it until it withers and dies" he said, always realistic.
"But they can't veto it. Well done, Anthony!" said Edith.
He smiled at her, gratefully, nervously.
She smiled back.
Then she leaned over and hugged him.
"I'm so sorry I upset you the other night, Edith. I really didn't mean to" he whispered to her ear among all the shouts and cheers.
"It's all right. I was being over-sensitive. I'm sorry I over-reacted" she replied tearfully.
Celia stood. "Right! We must get back and tell Paddington that he's almost a free bear!"
.
When Anthony put his key in the door, he stopped.
"Can you hear that?" he asked the two women.
"It sounds…like singing."
"Do you think he's heard the news already?"
When the got through into the hall, though they saw Stewart in full flow, his light tenor answering Paddington's deep bass. Paddington was swinging from the chandelier. Stewart was beneath, arms out like an Italian opera singer.
"Good god" said Anthony.
Stewart stopped immediately, panicked. Paddington took a few seconds longer, but when he stopped, he forgot to hold onto the chandelier as well. He fell heavily straight onto Stewart. With a definite "Ooomph!" the butler crumpled onto the floor.
"Mr Sstewarrrt!" slurred Paddington. "Arh you al'wight?"
"Yes, yes, yes. Never belter…never bether…better!" replied Stewart.
Mrs Bird appeared from below stairs.
"Oh Sir, please don't be too harsh on Mr Stewart. He was only trying to take the little bear's mind off of things."
"I don't think I will be harsh on anyone, Mrs Bird. Now, what happened?"
"We went to the dog pound and fed those poor dogs, and then we made a cake, that Marmalade Cake with Orange Icing that Master Paddington is so fond of, except that…that Mr Stewart mentioned putting a little Cointreau into the icing because it was so nice, and Paddington tasted it and thought it was wonderful, and then he had a little nip of the neat liqueur, and I turned my back only for a second, and then the bottle was empty and both Mr Stewart and Master Paddington were singing…and oh dear!"
"Ah" said Anthony. "It appears Paddington has been celebrating prematurely."
Both Paddington and Stewart stopped in the process of trying to get up from the heap on the floor.
"Why? What happened?" asked Paddington.
"You are only a few formalities away from being a free bear, Paddington" said Edith.
Paddington whooped with joy, and threw himself at all the humans, hugging them all three times in turn. Then he gave a very contented sigh and fell asleep in Edith's arms.
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I'm not sure I'm going to be able to finish this for tomorrow, as I first intended. I'll try, but I can't promise.