CHAPTER 2

STARTING GAILY

When the great morning came Mr Salteena did not have an egg for his

brekfast in case he should be sick on the jorney.

What top hat will you wear asked Ethel.

I shall wear my best black and my white alpacka coat to keep off the

dust and flies replied Mr Salteena.

I shall put some red ruge on my face said Ethel because I am very pale

owing to the drains in this house.

You will look very silly said Mr Salteena with a dry laugh.

Well so will you said Ethel in a snappy tone and she ran out of the

room with a very superier run throwing out her legs behind and her

arms swinging in rithum.

[Pg 28]

Well said the owner of the house she has a most idiotick run.

Presently Ethel came back in her best hat and a lovly velvit coat of

royal blue. Do I look nice in my get up she asked.

Mr Salteena survayed her. You look rarther rash my dear your colors

dont quite match your face but never mind I am just going up to say

goodbye to Rosalind the housemaid.

Well dont be long said Ethel. Mr S. skipped upstairs to Rosalinds

room. Goodbye Rosalind he said I shall be back soon and I hope I shall

enjoy myself.

I make no doubt of that sir said Rosalind with a blush as Mr Salteena

silently put 2/6 on the dirty toilet cover.

Take care of your bronkitis said Mr S. rarther bashfully and he

hastilly left the room waving his hand carelessly to the housemaid.

Come along cried Ethel powdering her nose in the hall let us get into

the cab. Mr [Pg 29] Salteena did not care for powder but he was an

unselfish man so he dashed into the cab. Sit down said Ethel as the

cabman waved his whip you are standing on my luggage. Well I am paying

for the cab said Mr S. so I might be allowed to put my feet were I like.

They traveled 2nd class in the train and Ethel was longing to go first

but thought perhaps least said soonest mended. Mr Salteena got very

excited in the train about his visit. Ethel was calm but she felt

excited inside. Bernard has a big house said Mr. S. gazing at Ethel he

is inclined to be rich.

Oh indeed said Ethel looking at some cows flashing past the window.

Mr. S. felt rarther disheartened so he read the paper till the train

stopped and the porters shouted Rickamere station. We had better

collect our traps said Mr Salteena and just then a very exalted

footman in a cocked hat and olive green uniform put his head in [Pg 30]

at the window. Are you for Rickamere Hall he said in impressive tones.

Well yes I am said Mr Salteena and so is this lady.

Very good sir said the noble footman if you will alight I will see to

your luggage there is a convayance awaiting you.

Oh thankyou thankyou said Mr. S. and he and Ethel stepped along the

platform. Outside they found a lovely cariage lined with olive green

cushons to match the footman and the horses had green bridles and bows

on their manes and tails. They got gingerly in. Will he bring our

luggage asked Ethel nervously.

I expect so said Mr Salteena lighting a very long cigar.

Do we tip him asked Ethel quietly.

Well no I dont think so not yet we had better just thank him

perlitely.

Just then the footman staggered out with the bagage. Ethel bowed

gracefully over the door of the cariage and Mr S. waved his [Pg 31] hand

as each bit of luggage was hoisted up to make sure it was all there.

Then he said thankyou my good fellow very politely. Not at all sir said

the footman and touching his cocked hat he jumped actively to the box.

I was right not to tip him whispered Mr Salteena the thing to do is to

leave 2/6 on your dressing table when your stay is over.

Does he find it asked Ethel who did not really know at all how to go

on at a visit. I beleeve so replied Mr Salteena anyhow it is quite the

custom and we cant help it if he does not. Now my dear what do you

think of the sceenery

Very nice said Ethel gazing at the rich fur rug on her knees. Just

then the cariage rolled into a beautifull drive with tall trees and

big red flowers growing amid shiny dark leaves. Presently the haughty

coachman pulled up with a great clatter at a huge front door with tall

pillers each side a big iron bell and two very clean scrapers. The

doors flung open as if by majic causing [Pg 32] Ethel to jump and a portly

butler appeared on the scene with a very shiny shirt front and a huge

pale face. Welcome sir he exclaimed good naturedly as Mr Salteena

alighted rarther quickly from the viacle and please to step inside.

Mr Salteena stepped in as bid followed by Ethel. The footman again

struggled with the luggage and the butler Francis Minnit by name

kindly lent a hand. The hall was very big and hung round with guns and

mate and ancesters giving it a gloomy but a grand air. The butler then

showed them down a winding corridoor till he came to a door which he

flung open shouting Mr Salteena and a lady sir.

A tall man of 29 rose from the sofa. He was rarther bent in the middle

with very nice long legs fairish hair and blue eyes. Hullo Alf old boy

he cried so you have got here all safe and no limbs broken.

None thankyou Bernard replied Mr Salteena shaking hands and let me

introduce [Pg 33] Miss Monticue she is very pleased to come for this

visit. Oh yes gasped Ethel blushing through her red ruge. Bernard looked

at her keenly and turned a dark red. I am glad to see you he said I hope

you will enjoy it but I have not arranged any partys yet as I dont

know anybody.

Dont worry murmered Ethel I dont mix much in Socierty and she gave him

a dainty smile.

I expect you would like some tea said Bernard I will ring.

Yes indeed we should said Mr Salteena egerly. Bernard pealed on the

bell and the butler came in with a stately walk.

Tea please Minnit crid Bernard Clark. With pleshure sir replied Minnit

with a deep bow. A glorious tea then came in on a gold tray two kinds

of bread and butter a lovly jam role and lots of sugar cakes. Ethels

eyes began to sparkle and she made several remarks during the meal. I

expect [Pg 34] you would now like to unpack said Bernard when it was over.

Well yes that is rarther an idear said Mr Salteena.

I have given the best spare room to Miss Monticue said Bernard with a

gallant bow and yours turning to Mr Salteena opens out of it so you

will be nice and friendly both the rooms have big windows and a

handsome view.

How charming said Ethel. Yes well let us go up replied Bernard and he

led the way up many a winding stairway till they came to an oak door

with some lovly swans and bull rushes painted on it. Here we are he

cried gaily. Ethels room was indeed a handsome compartment with purple

silk curtains and a 4 post bed draped with the same shade. The toilit

set was white and mouve and there were some violets in a costly varse.

Oh I say cried Ethel in supprise. I am glad you like it said Bernard

and here we have yours Alf. He opened [Pg 35] the dividing doors and

portrayed a smaller but dainty room all in pale yellow and wild

primroses. My own room is next the bath room said Bernard it is

decerated dark red as I have somber tastes. The bath room has got a

tip up bason and a hose thing for washing your head.

A good notion said Mr Salteena who was secretly getting jellus.

Here we will leave our friends to unpack and end this Chapter.

[Pg 36]