Male Bonding

Henry is walking by the nursery the next morning when he overhears George and Sybbie talking. Sybbie is pleading with George, "Why don't you want to play cars with Marigold and me, George?"

George replies, a little dejectedly, "I just don't want to."

Intrigued of course, Henry checks his watch, walks into the nursery and tells Nanny that he'd like to take George outside for a bit. George's eyes light up at the prospect of going out earlier than usual. He and Henry head out, holding hands.

In the garage, George is in the driver's seat of Henry's car with his hands on the steering wheel, pretending to drive while Henry opens the bonnet and checks the oil and other things. George sees him and is curious, since the children have never been exposed to cars other than to ride in them.

He asks Henry, "What are you doing?"

Henry surmises, correctly, that at George's age, sometimes it is not a specific activity that will please a child, but rather simply attention from an adult. So he had taken George with him to check the car merely to spend a little one-on-one time with him. Perhaps he would get a sense of what types of things seemed to catch George's eye, but he did not expect that so soon. Because Henry was taking seriously the role of being George's stand-in father, he had a long-term view. He wanted to set an example of answering George's questions, so George would not be hesitant to confide in his later years. For the short term, he needed to word his replies simply, so as not to lose the boy's attention.

"With cars, we need to look inside every now and then to see if anything needs to be adjusted, to make sure the car runs well. Your mummy and I drove a lot over the last week or two and I wanted to check it over." Henry is done, so he closes the bonnet, removes his gloves, and takes George out of the car. Having no other specific plans, Henry decides to avail himself of the chance to become familiar with a few of the nearby outbuildings.

Henry puts George on his shoulders and they walk over to the stables. George is very interested in the horses, running back and forth and wanting to see them all. Henry holds George so he can see over stalls and stroke their snouts. They find a basket of carrots and George feeds one to each horse in turn. As they leave the stables, Henry tells the boy, "Someday you will learn to ride, and maybe even as well as your mummy and grandfather. I heard your father was a good rider, too."

George looks at Henry quizzically, "Are you a good rider?"

"Yes, I think so." They walk down to the pig sty next. "Here now, let us see how good you are with your numbers. Help me count how many piglets there are."

Henry lifts George up to see over the fence. George, eager to show off, begins pointing and counting, "One, two, three, …"

Meanwhile, in the house, Mary walks by the nursery as Nanny is coming out with Sybbie and Marigold.

Not seeing her son, Mary inquires, "Where's George?"

Nanny thinks it a little odd that Lady Mary does not know about Master George going with Mr. Talbot, but replies politely, "Pardon, m'Lady, but Mr. Talbot took Master George outside a little while ago. I am taking the girls out now, too."

Mary nods slightly in acknowledgement as they all head downstairs together.

Outside, Henry and George are walking away from the pigs when Mary, the Nanny, and the girls come outside. George runs over to the females and exclaims, "There are 7 little pigs!" Then George joins Sybbie and Marigold as they begin running around, chasing each other, with the Nanny not far behind. Mary gives Henry a little peck in greeting, "Trying to get to know George?" "Yes-I've got to start somewhere," Henry answers with a grin.

"I am going to the agent office to catch up on things. Do you want to join me?" Henry offers his arm, "Certainly."

At teatime that day, Tom, Mary, and Henry come into the library together. Edith, Robert and Cora are already there. Tom and Henry head to get tea while Mary approaches her father.

Robert asks his daughter, "Did you ascertain that Tom had everything covered while you were gone?"

"Yes, Papa, although don't say it as if I expected otherwise. I trust Tom unreservedly. Besides, I was gone for only a few days."

Robert teases Mary, "Of course, but if I know you, you wanted to review everything in detail."

Henry has come over and hands a cup of tea to Mary, "You know your daughter well, Robert. I should think Tom will need a cocktail before dinner after the grilling Mary gave him."

Mary turns to Henry in mock offense, "Are you going to gang up against me? I didn't know I was marrying a turncoat."

Henry responds, "Ah, but you did! I was an unapologetic bachelor before, and now all of my loyalty is devoted to you." He gives her a peck on the forehead. Robert is amused by the by-play. Mary can only say, "Oh, please!"

Edith, Cora, and Tom are chatting. Cora asks Tom, "I can imagine it will be nice for you having a comrade around again. You are no longer outnumbered by females."

Tom smiles, "Strong-willed Crawley females, no less!"

Edith does not let Tom get away with that easily, "Come now, Tom, we know you are drawn to headstrong women. Sybil was likely the worst of the three of us!"

"Worst? Best, you mean! But to answer you, Cora, yes, I will enjoy Henry being here now. Not only because he may provide another male perspective, but also because Mary is a lot happier now, and easier to be around, too."

Edith and Cora agree, "Amen to that!"

The children come in with the Nanny. George is carrying his toy car and immediately comes over to Henry and holds it up to him. Henry squats down to George's eye level and asks, "What is this? Are you trying to give back your car already?"

George pleads, "No-I need you to look inside!"

Henry understands at once, and puts down his tea. Mary is confused, however, so asks, "What do you mean, Georgie?"

George turns to explain to Mary, "Marigold's car always beats my car, and I want Henry to look inside to make sure my car is running well!"

Henry picks up George who is still holding the car, "Well, we may not be able to do anything about it, but let's have a look. (to Mary) George kept me company this morning in the garage." Mary registers understanding, and amusement. Henry walks over to a chair and sits down with George on his lap as they look at the car together.