The Girl from Old Nichol

by Betty Annand

  Completing the scene was a handsome, but fierce looking Indian chief, who was standing with his arms crossed in a regal pose beside the Princess. Except for a few streaks of white paint on his chest and his face, he was naked from the waist up, and his skin, like the princess’s, had a beautiful mahogany hue. They both had coal-black hair worn in thick braids, but what fascinated Dolly the most was the colourful eagle feathered bonnet the chief wore on his head. When he saw how much she admired it, he walked over to her, bent down, and said, “You feel.” When Dolly reached up and touched the feathers, the chief laughed and, reaching into a basket, took out a feather like the ones he had in his bonnet and said, “For you, little papoose, an eagle feather.” Dolly was so pleased she reached out her arms and he hugged her.

  That wasn’t the only treasure she received that day. When they visited the Chinese exhibits, a small and delicate looking Chinese lady gave her a pretty little china doll with moveable arms and legs. At noon they enjoyed a light lunch in one of the eating establishments and rested for another half hour on a bench under a palm tree. When Dolly had to go to the bathroom, Andrew asked the guide where the doors leading out to the privies were. To his surprise, the guide informed them they were inside the building. “A chap by the name of George Jennings has invented what he calls ‘Monkey Closets’ and they are located in the Retiring Rooms not far from where we are sitting,” the guide said. “These monkey closets flush away after you are finished.”

  “You mean to tell me there’s no need to empty the commode?” Andrew replied.

  “Yes, sir, that’s right. Mind you, there is a charge of one penny, but for that price you get a clean seat, a towel, a comb, and a shoe shine. A bargain, if I may say so, sir!”

  Although they had to wait in line for a short time, the public toilets were one of the most exciting things they had ever experienced.

  “How convenient that would be to have in the winter,” Gladys exclaimed when she and Dolly had returned to Andrew and the guide. “It would be wonderful to have one in our new home.”

  “We shall!” promised Andrew “I shall contact this Mr Jennings when we get home and find out more about his invention.”

  “I think Auntie Millie must have one in heaven,” Dolly said earnestly, causing Andrew and Gladys to laugh.

  The afternoon proved to be just as exciting as the morning, but by three o’clock, Dolly couldn’t keep her eyes open and fell asleep in the cart. Not wanting her to miss any of the exhibits, Gladys and Andrew sat and had tea while watching other visitors. Most days the admission to the fair was far too costly for working class families, and since this was one of those days, the people they saw were of a higher social standing and were dressed in the most expensive and stylish outfits.

  Many of the wealthy visitors were from other countries and were clad in their national attire. Gladys had never seen such colourful garments before, and although she knew she was being rude, she couldn’t stop staring at them as they walked by.

  Not long after, Dolly woke up, but because Andrew had decided they should stay in London until they had seen all the exhibits, they thought it would be best to go back to the flat.

  When the guide returned and heard they were planning on returning the following day, he protested, “But, sir, tomorrow is one of the cheap ticket days. Those in attendance shall be of a much lower class. Not only that, Sir, there will be no guides on duty.” Although the man was extremely helpful and knowledgeable, Andrew and Gladys looked forward to being on their own, and the reasonable price of one shilling each for admission made their return the following day that much more attractive.

  The next day it rained, and it was such fun to be nice and dry inside the building while looking up and seeing the rain splashing down on the glass roof. “I have always been intrigued by those glass balls with the scenery inside,” Gladys said. “Now I know what it is like to be in one.”

  Some of the exhibits they saw were quite bizarre and the latest in surgical inventions from France were astounding. Splendid carriages of all kinds were on display, some with interiors lined with the softest leather, while others had seats covered with expensive wine and blue coloured fur. There were glass covered stands displaying magnificent works done in gold and silver, caskets full of diamonds and pearls along with the “Koh-i-noor,” the world’s biggest diamond, all heavily guarded.

  But for Andrew and Gladys, the most exciting exhibit of them all was that of Tom’s old friend, Willard Sawyer. His velocipedes, or what he referred to as his double-action self-locomotives, were among the most popular exhibits in the palace. He had a variety of models on exhibit from a six-seater family machine to a lightweight racer. His Promenade and Visiting models were even fit to ride while dressed in evening attire, and he had models for ladies, invalids, and children. He also supplied the Crystal Palace with machines for hire, so visitors could pedal around the gardens.

  His best velocipede was made with bright iron work, capped and bound with silver, and priced from twenty-five to forty pounds. There were other velocipedes on display that were made in foreign countries, but they were far inferior to Willard’s in both technology and engineering. They had no idea that Willard was there, and when Gladys saw him, she couldn’t resist throwing her arms around him and saying, “Tom said you would be famous one day!” Before they bid him goodbye, Andrew ordered machines for Gladys and Dolly, and they talked him into ordering one for himself.

  At the end of the fourth day, they were all dizzy with thoughts and images of all they had seen and were unusually quiet in the cab on the way back to the flat. They intended to leave in the morning, but Gladys happened to pick up a theatre brochure someone had dropped on the floor of their carriage, and she read that the following night a romantic musical drama titled O’Flannigan and the Fairies, was playing at the Little Adelphi Theatre. When she remarked that it was the same theatre in which Millie had performed, Andrew suggested they stay one more night, and attend the performance in her honour. The title seemed to suggest that Dolly would enjoy the play as well, so Gladys insisted she spend most of the day resting.

  Andrew left shortly after they had breakfast and didn’t return until dinner time. As they were eating, he said, “I took your advice, Gladys, and paid a visit to one of the slum areas they call Old Nichol.” Gladys choked on the bread she was eating, and it took a few seconds for her to compose herself. “They are not as bad off as the poor souls in Ireland, but I can see how they need help too. Such living conditions should never be tolerated. I was forced to stop at a bathhouse before I made my way here in order to rid myself of the stench. I shall talk to Lord Cedric and some other friends and see if we can raise some money for them, but the little we will be able to do will be no more than a drop in a bucket, I am afraid.”

  Gladys wished she had never said anything. Every time the name Old Nichol came up, she feared her past would be discovered. Being able to confide in Millie had helped, but now there was no one she could be honest with. She thought she might confess to Andrew one day, but wouldn’t dare do it until the deed to Oaken Arms was in her name.

  After dinner, they went to the theatre. The play was a popular one, and they weren’t able to get seats close to the stage, but they managed to acquire three in the balcony, which Gladys and Dolly thought were far better anyway. The play was about Phelin O’Flannigan, a man of some means, who believed in fairies, or what he referred to as the Good People. There was a good deal of humour, some lively music, and the play wasn’t too long, so Dolly managed to stay awake for the entire performance. Gladys kept picturing Millie in the leading lady’s role, and her tears of laughter were mingled with ones of sorrow.

  Reluctantly, they left London the following morning. It was a great treat for Gladys and Dolly to have another ride on the train. “Isn’t this wonderful, Gamby?” Dolly said after they had settled themselves in their own little compartment.

  “I suppose it is,”
Andrew responded, “but I wonder what other ingenious inventions you will see in your lifetime. Why I have even heard there is a man in France who is attempting to build a flying machine. Imagine that! Maybe Sawyer will try that next.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  The trip to London brought Andrew and Gladys closer, but Andrew’s feelings towards his daughter-in-law were not altogether paternal. He was extremely fit for a man of forty-five, and Gladys was like no other woman he had ever known. Her lack of education was overshadowed by her intelligence, and he couldn’t help but notice that she had a face and a body that would tempt a saint. These feelings began to plague him, especially now that they were planning on living under the same roof.

  He hoped that his desires would subside, but unfortunately as time went by they grew even stronger. He prided himself on being an honourable man, so the guilt he felt over his feelings began to weigh heavily on his shoulders, and he had no idea of what to do about it.

  The rest of the year passed by quickly as they were kept busy dealing with the building of Oaken Arms. They both wanted the house constructed in the most modern design, which was something of an oxymoron because many of the popular architects were designing homes in a Medieval or Gothic style—a romantic mode with towers, turrets and high crowned gables. As to the interior, they both preferred the modern designer, Joseph Meeks, with his lush, abundant, and cluttered look that was fast becoming known as “Victorian.”

  By the first of the year, the exterior of the house was almost finished, but there was still a lot of work to do inside. Gladys had Andrew order an Italian made sideboard and chiffonier she had seen when they were at the exhibition in London. She also had a lovely rosewood couch with a spring seat and two elegant, bright blue chairs to complement it, put away at one of the local furniture stores.

  Andrew was as anxious, if not more so than Gladys, to move in. He had tried many times to persuade her to move into a larger home that would accommodate a few servants so she would not have to do her own housework, but she always refused. Knowing that his friends expected him to provide Tom’s family with the finest, the house she and Dolly were living in was a source of embarrassment, even though he understood her reason for living there.

  Gladys was kept so busy shopping for last minute necessities for the manor that it helped take her mind off Millie’s death. She was also very active in the church choir—more so than usual since the Reverend Mason’s son, Hugh, had returned home from his studies at Cambridge.

  Hugh’s features were a little too delicate to render him handsome, but he did have a captivating personality and a voice to match. Having just become an ordained minister like his father, he planned to spend six months to a year in Dover before leaving Britain to do missionary work in one of the colonies. It was also rumoured that he hoped to find a suitable wife to accompany him on his mission. A good number of young ladies from his father’s congregation would have been more than happy to oblige, but it soon became obvious that Hugh only had eyes for Gladys, and because she couldn’t help but be flattered, she thoughtlessly encouraged him.

  They both enjoyed singing, and their voices blended so well they were often asked to sing duets, which meant spending time together practicing. Ever since Tom was killed, Gladys hadn’t thought about men in a romantic way, but now she found herself having daydreams about what it would be like to make love to another man. Hugh, on the other hand, had been too engrossed with his studies to learn the difference between an innocent flirtation and a serious relationship, and was convinced their friendship would eventually end in marriage.

  Until Hugh’s arrival, Gladys’s life had centred on her father-in-law and her daughter, and although she loved them both dearly, she missed the innocent flirtations she had experienced singing at Scots Inn. Hugh’s admiration was a tonic that showed in her countenance and added to her beauty. Hugh doted on her, taking her dining, boating, and horseback riding whenever Andrew or Mrs Grimsby offered to stay with Dolly. Andrew enjoyed spending time with his granddaughter, but he missed Gladys’s company, and began to worry that she would decide to marry the young minister and accompany him on his missionary quest. If that were to happen, he would not only lose her, but his beloved granddaughter as well.

  __________

  The first time Gladys invited Hugh to dinner, she also invited Andrew, who was determined not to like the young man. However, he found his company enjoyable and was pleasantly surprised when Hugh didn’t attempt to convert him or behave sanctimoniously. Another thing that surprised him was that the young man shared his sentiments toward the poor Irish families. As much as it bothered him to admit it, Andrew thought he would make Gladys a good husband, but the concept of living the rest of his life without her and Dolly was disturbing.

  In spite of his fears, Andrew continued to look after his granddaughter while Gladys and Hugh enjoyed their time together until the day she came to his office to ask if he could stay with Dolly while she and Hugh went to see a performance by Dickens at a local theatre.

  Andrew was aware Dickens was in town and that he and his friend Collins, another writer, were staying at Camden Crescent while they were working on a story titled, Bleak House. When he learned that Dickens had offered to do a reading at the theatre, he purchased three tickets and planned on taking Gladys and Dolly to see the performance. The disappointment he felt when Gladys told him she intended to go with Hugh Mason prevented him from answering for a minute or two, and Gladys could tell by his silence and the look of disapproval on his face that he wasn’t happy about it. Suddenly she realized how much she had taken advantage of his good nature during the last few months.

  “Oh, Andrew, I am truly sorry,” she apologized. “You have been staying with Dolly so often lately, and here I am asking again. I shall tell Hugh that I am unable to go.”

  “Perhaps you can leave Dolly with Mrs Grimsby,” Andrew replied, rather sharply.

  Gladys was taken aback. Ever since their trip to London, she had felt that her future was secure, and smugness, instead of gratitude, had begun to show in her character. Now Andrew’s cool response sent a shiver up her spine. She was not yet mistress of the manor, so she smiled at him sweetly and said, “I would much rather be going with you, Andrew, but Hugh asked me, and I said yes without realizing it might bother you.”

  Her smile was all it took. Andrew not only offered to look after Dolly, but gave her the tickets he had purchased. After she left, he slumped down in his chair feeling like a defeated fighter. He was ashamed of his lack of backbone and wished he hadn’t given in. Gladys had him twisted around her little finger, and now he would spend another evening trying his best not to be jealous. He tried going through some papers on his desk, but couldn’t concentrate. Finally, he shoved them aside cursing out loud, “Damn her! It is high time I put my foot down.” He decided to no longer stay with Dolly in the evenings, thinking that perhaps if Gladys had to stay home, Hugh might decide to find another girl to court. But in truth, he knew that once a man had fallen under Gladys’s spell, no one else could compare.

  __________

  Andrew was a member of Dover’s newly formed Chamber of Commerce, as was his solicitor, Randolph Mansfield, and one evening, after their meeting, Randolph suggested they go for a drink at a men’s club they often frequented. They were comfortably settled in a pair of large, stuffed, leather chairs enjoying the smooth taste of their brandy when Randolph brought up the subject of the deed to Oaken Arms. “I have those papers you wanted drawn up and ready to sign, Andrew, but before you do, I want to be certain you know what you are doing. I can understand how determined you are that Rose and her children never inherit the property, but Gladys is still young and attractive, and there are a lot of scoundrels out there who would like nothing better than to get their hands on such a large estate.”

  “Up until the last few months I thought I knew exactly what I wanted, but now I’m not so sure,” Andrew answered
with a frown.

  “What is it, old boy? Anything I can help you with—in strictest confidence of course.”

  “It would be a relief to talk to someone, I must admit,” Andrew confessed. He took the time to light a cigar and have a drink of his brandy before he could think of what to say. “I have someone in my life that I care for very much.”

  Randolph didn’t answer for a minute. He had heard rumours about Andrew and his daughter-in-law and had considered them nothing but gossip, but now he realized that they might be true.

  “Are you saying what I think you are?”

  “Yes, I suppose I am, although I haven’t even admitted it to myself before, but yes, yes, that is exactly what I am saying.”

  “Well now! I can understand how you are smitten with her—she’s a most attractive young lady, but she is a lady, and you already have a wife, even if she is an estranged one.”

  “About that; what do you think my chances are of obtaining a divorce?”

  “Well, let me think.” Randolph thought for a while then he raised his eyebrows and continued, “You do have some influential friends in high places and others in, ahem, low places. A propitious combination, if you get my meaning.”

  “I fail to see your point.”

  “Well, you are aware that the only grounds for obtaining a divorce are by reason of adultery, are you not?”

  “I am. But I would never stain Gladys’s reputation with such an act.”

  “Oh no, dear boy, I did not mean for you to commit the act.”

  Andrew looked confused for a second before he realized what his friend meant. “You must be joking! Rose is happy with things just as they are. I give her a generous allowance and she prides herself on belonging to a wealthy family. She would never jeopardize that.”

  Randolph shrugged his shoulders; then he signalled the waiter to bring two more brandies before answering, “You may be right, but I shouldn’t be surprised that if the right man were to come along and throw a little flattery in her direction, the chance of a discreet affair just might tempt her.”