Richard Carvel — Complete

by Winston Churchill

  CHAPTER VII. GRAFTON HAS HIS CHANCE

  To add to my troubles my grandfather was shortly taken very ill with thefirst severe sickness he had ever in his life endured. Dr. Leiden cameand went sometimes thrice daily, and for a week he bore a look so graveas to frighten me. Dr. Evarts arrived by horse from Philadelphia, andthe two physicians held long conversations in the morning room, while Ilistened at the door and comprehended not a word of their talk save whenthey spoke of bleeding. And after a very few consultations, as is oftenthe way in their profession, they disagreed and quarrelled, and Dr.Evarts packed himself back to Philadelphia in high dudgeon. Then Mr.Carvel began to mend.

  There were many who came regularly to inquire of him, and each afternoonI would see the broad shoulders and genial face of Governor Sharpe inthe gateway, completing his walk by way of Marlboro' Street. I loved andadmired him, for he had been a soldier himself before he came out to us,and had known and esteemed my father. His Excellency should surely havebeen knighted for his services in the French war. Once he spied me atthe window and shook his cane pleasantly, and in he walks to the roomwhere I sat reading of the victories of Blenheim and Malplaquet, forchronicles of this sort I delighted in.

  "Aha, Richard," says he, taking up the book, "'tis plain whither yourtastes lead you. Marlboro was a great general, and as sorry a scoundrelas ever led troops to battle. Truly," says he, musing, "the Lord oftenmakes queer choice in his instruments for good." And he lowered himselfinto the easy chair and crossed his legs, regarding me very comically."What's this I hear of your joining the burghers and barristers, andtrouncing poor Mr. Fairbrother and his flock, and crying 'Libertyforever!' in the very ears of the law?" he asks. "His Majesty will haveneed of such lads as you, I make no doubt, and should such proceedingscome to his ears I would not give a pipe for your chances."

  I could not but laugh, confused as I was, at his Excellency's rally. Andthis I may say, that had it pleased Providence to give me dealingwith such men of the King's side as he, perchance my fortunes had beenaltered.

  "And in any good cause, sir," I replied, "I would willingly give my lifeto his Majesty."

  "So," said his Excellency, raising his eyebrows, "I see clearly you areof the rascals. But a lad must have his fancies, and when your age I washot for the exiled Prince. I acquired more sense as I grew older. Andbetter an active mind, say I, than a sluggard partisan."

  At this stage of our talk came in my Uncle Grafton, and bowing low tothe Governor made apology that some of the elders of the family had notbeen there to entertain him. He told his Excellency that he had neverleft the house save for necessary business, which was true for once,my uncle having taken up his abode with us during that week. But now,thanking Heaven and Dr. Leiden and his own poor effort, he could reporthis dear father to be out of danger.

  Governor Sharpe answered shortly that he had been happy to hear the goodnews from Scipio. "Faith," says he, "I was well enough entertained, forI have a liking for this lad, and to speak truth I saw him here as Icame up the walk."

  My uncle smiled deprecatingly, and hid any vexation he might have hadfrom this remark.

  "I fear that Richard lacks wisdom as yet, your Excellency," said he,"and has many of his father's headstrong qualities."

  "Which you most providentially escaped," his Excellency put in.

  Grafton bit his lip. "Necessity makes us all careful, sir," said he.

  "Necessity does more than that, Mr. Carvel," returned the Governor, whowas something of a wit; "necessity often makes us fools, if we be notcareful. But give me ever a wanton fool rather than him of necessity'shandiwork. And as for the lad," says he, "let him not trouble you. Suchas he, if twisted a little in the growth, come out straight enough inthe end."

  I think the Governor little knew what wormwood was this to my uncle.

  "'Tis heartily to be hoped, sir," he said, "for his folly has broughttrouble enough behind it to those who have his education and his welfarein hand, and I make no doubt is at the bottom of my father's illness."

  At this injustice I could not but cry out, for all the town knew, andmy grandfather himself best of all, that the trouble from which henow suffered sprang from his gout. And yet my heart was smitten atthe thought that I might have hastened or aggravated the attack. TheGovernor rose. He seized his stick aggressively and looked sharply atGrafton.

  "Nonsense," he exclaimed; "my friend Mr. Carvel is far too wise to beupset by a boyish prank which deserves no notice save a caning. Andthat, my lad," he added lightly, "I dare swear you got with interest."And he called for a glass of the old Madeira when Scipio came withthe tray, and departed with a polite inquiry after my Aunt Caroline'shealth, and a prophecy that Mr. Carvel would soon be taking the airagain.

  There had been high doings indeed in Marlboro' Street that miserableweek. My grandfather took to his bed of a Saturday afternoon, and bademe go down to Mr. Aikman's, the bookseller, and fetch him the latestbooks and plays. That night I became so alarmed that I sent Diomedes forDr. Leiden, who remained the night through. Sunday was well gone beforethe news reached York Street, when my Aunt Caroline came hurrying overin her chair, and my uncle on foot. They brushed past Scipio at thedoor, and were pushing up the long flight when they were stopped on thelanding by Dr. Leiden.

  "How is my father, sir?" Grafton cried, "and why was I not informed atonce of his illness? I must see him."

  "Your vater can see no one, Mr. Carvel," said the doctor, quietly.

  "What," says my uncle, "you dare to refuse me?"

  "Not so lout, I bray you," says the doctor; "I tare any ting vere lifeis concerned."

  "But I will see him," says Grafton, in a sort of helpless rage, for thedoctor's manner baffled him. "I will see him before he dies, and no manalive shall say me nay."

  Then my Aunt Caroline gathered up her skirt, and made shift to pass thedoctor.

  "I have come to nurse him," said she, imperiously, and, turning to whereI stood near, she added: "Bid a servant fetch from York Street what Ishall have need of."

  The doctor smiled, but stood firm. He cared little for aught in heavenor earth, did Dr. Leiden, and nothing whatever for Mr. and Mrs. GraftonCarvel.

  "I peg you, matam, do not disturp yourself," said he. "Mr. Carvel isaply attended by an excellent voman, Mrs. Villis, and he has no neet ofyou."

  "What," cried my aunt; "this is too much, sir, that I am thrust out ofmy father-in-law's house, and my place taken by a menial. That womanable!" she fumed, dropping suddenly her cloak of dignity; "Mr. Carvel'scharity is all that keeps her here."

  Then my uncle drew himself up. "Dr. Leiden," says he, "kindly oblige meby leaving my father's house, and consider your services here at an end.And Richard," he goes on to me, "send my compliments to Dr. Drake, andrequest him to come at once."

  I was stepping forward to say that I would do nothing of the kind, whenthe doctor stopped me by a signal, as much as to say that the quarrelwas wide enough without me. He stood with his back against the greatarched window flooded with the yellow light of the setting sun, a littleblack figure in high relief, with a face of parchment. And he took apinch of snuff before he spoke.

  "I am here py Mr. Carvel's orters, sir," said he, "and py tose alonevill I leaf."

  And this is how the Chippendale piece was broke, which you, my children,and especially Bess, admire so extravagantly. It stood that day behindthe doctor, and my uncle, making a violent move to get by, struck it,and so it fell with a great crash lengthwise on the landing; and thewonderful vases Mr. Carroll had given my grandfather rolled down thestairs and lay crushed at the bottom. Withal he had spoken so quietly,Dr. Leiden possessed a temper drawn from his Teutonic ancestors. Withhis little face all puckered, he swore so roundly at my uncle in somelingo he had got from his father,--High German or Low German,--I knownot what, that Grafton and his wife were glad enough to pick theirway amongst the broken bits of glass and china, to the hall again.Dr. Leiden shook his fist at their retreating persons, saying that theSabbath was no day to do mu
rder.

  I followed them with the pretence of picking up what was left of theornaments. What between anger against the doctor and Mrs. Willis, andfright and chagrin at the fall of the Chippendale piece, my aunt was insuch a state of nervous flurry that she bade the ashy Scipio call herchairmen, and vowed, in a trembling voice, she would never again entera house where that low-bred German was to be found. But my Uncle Graftonwas of a different nature. He deemed defeat but a postponement of theobject he wished to gain, and settled himself in the library with acopy of "Miller on the Distinction of Ranks in Society." He appeared atsupper suave as ever, gravely concerned as to his father's health, whichformed the chief topic between us. He gave me to understand that hewould take the green room until the old gentleman was past danger. Nota word, mind you, of Dr. Leiden, nor did my uncle express a wish to gointo the sick-room, from which even I was forbid. Nay, the next morninghe met the doctor in the hall and conversed with him at some length overthe case as though nothing had occurred between them.

  While my Uncle Grafton was in the house I had opportunity of markingthe intimacy which existed between him and the rector of St. Anne's. Thelatter swung each evening the muffled knocker, and was ushered on tiptoeacross the polished floor to the library where my uncle sat in state. Itwas often after supper before the rector left, and coming in upon themonce I found wine between them and empty decanters on the board, andthey fell silent as I passed the doorway.

  Our dear friend Captain Clapsaddle was away when my grandfather fellsick, having been North for three months or more on some business knownto few. 'Twas generally supposed he went to Massachusetts to confer withthe patriots of that colony. Hearing the news as he rode into town,he came booted and spurred to Marlboro' Street before going to hislodgings. I ran out to meet him, and he threw his arms about me on thestreet so that those who were passing smiled, for all knew the captain.And Harvey, who always came to take the captain's horse, swore that hewas glad to see a friend of the family once again. I told the captainvery freely of my doings, and showed him the clipping from the Gazette,which made him laugh heartily. But a shade came upon his face when Irehearsed the scene we had with my uncle and Mr. Allen in the garden.

  "What," says he, "Mr. Carvel hath sent you to Mr. Allen on your uncle'sadvice?"

  "No," I answered, "to do my uncle justice, he said not a word to Mr.Carvel about it."

  The captain turned the subject. He asked me much concerning the rectorand what he taught me, and appeared but ill-pleased at that I hadto tell him. But he left me without so much as a word of comment orcounsel. For it was a principle with Captain Clapsaddle not to influencein any way the minds of the young, and he would have deemed it unfair toMr. Carvel had he attempted to win my sympathies to his. CaptainDaniel was the first the old gentleman asked to see when visitors werepermitted him, and you may be sure the faithful soldier was below stairswaiting for the summons.

  I was some three weeks with my new tutor, the rector, before mygrandfather's illness, and went back again as soon as he began to mend.I was not altogether unhappy, owing to a certain grim pleasure I hadin debating with him, which I shall presently relate. There was muchto annoy and anger me, too. My cousin Philip was forever carping andcriticising my Greek and Latin, and it was impossible not to feel hissneer at my back when I construed. He had pat replies ready to correctme when called upon, and 'twas only out of consideration for Mr. Carvelthat I kept my hands from him when we were dismissed.

  I think the rector disliked Philip in his way as much as did I in mine.The Reverend Bennett Allen, indeed, might have been a very good fellowhad Providence placed him in a different setting; he was one of thosewhom his Excellency dubbed "fools from necessity." He should have beenborn with a fortune, though I can think of none he would not have runthrough in a year or so. But nature had given him aristocratic tastes,with no other means toward their gratification than good looks,convincing ways, and a certain bold, half-defiant manner, which went farwith his Lordship and those like him, who thought Mr. Allen excellentgood company. With the rector, as with too many others, holy orders werebut a means to an end. It was a sealed story what he had been before hecame to Governor Sharpe with Baltimore's directions to give him the bestin the colony. But our rakes and wits, and even our solid men, likemy grandfather, received him with open arms. He had ever a tale on histongue's end tempered to the ear of his listener.

  Who had most influenced my way of thinking, Mr. Allen had well demanded.The gentleman was none other than Mr. Henry Swain, Patty's father. Ofher I shall speak later. He was a rising barrister and man of note amongour patriots, and member of the Lower House; a diffident man in public,with dark, soulful eyes, and a wide, white brow, who had declineda nomination to the Congress of '65. At his fireside, unknown to mygrandfather and to Mr. Allen, I had learned the true principles ofgovernment. Before the House Mr. Swain spoke only under extraordinaryemotion, and then he gained every ear. He had been my friend sincechildhood, but I never knew the meaning and the fire of oratory untilcuriosity brought me to the gallery of the Assembly chamber in the StadtHouse, where the barrister was on his feet at the time. I well rememberthe tingle in my chest as I looked and listened. And I went again andagain, until the House sat behind closed doors.

  And so, when Mr. Allen brought forth for my benefit those arguments ofthe King's party which were deemed their strength, I would confront himwith Mr. Swain's logic. He had in me a tough subject for conversion.I was put to very small pains to rout my instructor out of all hispositions, because indolence, and lack of interest in the question, andcontempt for the Americans, had made him neglect the study of it. AndPhilip, who entered at first glibly enough at the rector's side, wassoon drawn into depths far beyond him. Many a time was Mr. Allen fainto laugh at his blunders. I doubt not my cousin had the facts straightenough when he rose from the breakfast table at home; but by the time hereached the rectory they were shaken up like so many parts of a puzzlein a bag, and past all straightening.

  The rector was especially bitter toward the good people of Boston Town,whom he dubbed Puritan fanatics. To him Mr. Otis was but a meddlingfool, and Mr. Adams a traitor whose head only remained on his shouldersby grace of the extreme clemency of his Majesty, which Mr. Allen was ata loss to understand. When beaten in argument, he would laugh out somesneer that would set my blood simmering. One morning he came in late forthe lesson, smelling strongly of wine, and bade us bring our books outunder the fruit trees in the garden. He threw back his gown andtilted his cap, and lighting his pipe began to speak of that act ofTownshend's, passed but the year before, which afterwards proved theKing's folly and England's ruin.

  "Principle!" exclaimed my fine clergyman at length, blowing a greatwhiff among the white blossoms. "Oons! your Americans worship hisMajesty stamped upon a golden coin. And though he saved their tillsfrom plunder from the French, the miserly rogues are loth to pay for theservice."

  I rose, and taking a guinea-piece from my pocket, held it up before him.

  "They care this much for gold, sir, and less for his Majesty, who caresnothing for them," I said. And walking to the well near by, I droppedthe piece carelessly into the clear water. He was beside me before itleft my hand, and Philip also, in time to see the yellow coin edgingthis way and that toward the bottom. The rector turned to me with asmile of cynical amusement playing over his features.

  "Such a spirit has brought more than one brave fellow to Tyburn, MasterCarvel," he said. And then he added reflectively, "But if there weremore like you, we might well have cause for alarm."

  Volume 2.