Chapter 19: The Ties that Bind
After the riddle challenge, if you can call it a challenge, the friendship between Arthur and I grew. One day at dinner, we were all gathered in the hall enjoying quite an enjoyable meal. Roast beef, succulent vegetables and potatoes was more than enough to feed the boys of Eton College. Of course only the best for England's brightest. I was sitting next to Louis eating when I noticed Arthur staring at me from across the way. He motioned his hand to me asking if I would come and join him at the other table.
"I'll be a minute Louis," I said, wiping my mouth with a napkin and getting up from the table.
"You always say that brother, and then before you know it you have sat there the whole dinner period," he replied with disdain.
I smiled at him. It had been true that over the past few weeks, Arthur and I had many conversations at dinner. Most of them involved the future, politics, and sometimes mathematics. On occasions, Arthur would throw me a curveball topic but our talks were always intellectually stimulating. It seemed he was one of the few students at Eton that was on the same level as me. Slowly I walked over to Arthur and his friends. One of his friends scooted over some so that I could sit between him and Arthur. I graciously thanked him and was about to greet Arthur when I was interrupted.
"What is your stance on aristocracy?"
I stared at Arthur. That seemed to be a bit off topic, but I guess not too off topic. He knew very well how I felt about the aristocratic system of England. I had explained that it was very unfair that only citizens of wealth and privilege had much more opportunities than those of the lower classes.
"You know how I feel about it Arthur. We discussed it the other day. Why the sudden interest?" .
"Sorry William. I misspoke. I guess I should've rephrased it to - what will you do about it?"
"I guess hopefully get a position in the government so that one day I can advocate for change," I lied. There's no way in hell I would ever want to join the government.
"Nice lie William," he replied, looking right through me. "I would actually take action." I noticed his eyes shift to a stern look. "You were born into privilege; meanwhile I had to bite and claw my way to where I am now. My family grew into money and people of this country still look down on us. The only way to do something is to take action."
I took offense to his criticisms of me. He had no idea that I came from an orphanage and was adopted by the Moriarty family. Typically I kept this secret to myself but for some reason felt compelled to tell him.
"So how would you take action?"
"The only way to have real change is to show these snobby rats the truth. Show them how hard it is for other people. Wealth means nothing. Take myself for instance. I consider myself to be a highly intelligent young man; but if it wasn't for my family's "new money" I wouldn't be sitting here having a fine dinner with you lovely people," he said, taking a sip from his glass. His pals around him just laughed.
Though he was a bit brash and arrogant, I admired his courage and tenacity against the rich. Just then we heard some bullying going on at the table across from us. Two students were picking on a younger classmate. I had seen him before. He, like Arthur, came from new money . However, he was quite small making him a perfect target. The two bullies were calling him names but fortunately a professor came by and separated them. I felt sorry for the young boy and thought of going over to him. However, someone beat me to it. While I was deep in my thoughts I hadn't realized that Arthur had got up from the table and was walking over to him.
"Don't worry about those sods mate," he said, putting an arm around him. "Come and dine with us."
He directed the lad over to our table and sat down next to him. "What's your name?" He asked.
"Harry Manders." The small boy replied in an innocent tone. "But my nickname is Bunny," he said blushing.
"I like it!" Arthur replied. "From now on you don't have to worry about those guys. You've got us now," he said pointing to me and the rest of his gang. "Blessed be the ties that bind us. The fellowship of kindred minds." He said with a smile. A smile that I haven't seen in years. Full of life and innocence. That smile is forever etched in my mind as one of the only times I could see Arthur as being truly sincere.