She recovered and continued her story, but as it only
concerned my share in the day’s doings, it is
unnecessary to repeat it here. She told it, however,
in such kind terms, that I made an end to my discomfort
by going to fetch the great jack for mother and Kate
to look at. When returning, however, I could
not help hearing Kate say to Mistress Waynflete, “Without
a ’by your leave’?”
“As indifferently as if I had been a bag of
flour,” was the cool reply. And I had dithered
like an aspen leaf!
“I suppose he half drowned you?”
“On the contrary, there was not a wet stitch
on me.”
“Oliver,” added my mother, “has
not many things to do that are worth his doing, but
what he finds he does well.”
“Such as catching jack,” said I, staggering
in with my heavy load. It was admired unstintingly,
and was indeed worthy of all praise.
“Supper is ready, mam,” said Jane; “and
Joe says he knowed it wor as big as a gate-post.”
“And where is Joe?”
“In the kitchen, Master Noll.”
“Give him a good supper, not much ale, and that
small, and tell him to stop there. I shall want
him.” Then, turning to Mistress Waynflete,
I went on: “There’s one way, and
only one, into Stafford that’s perfectly safe
to-night. Joe and I will row you there. Now,
mother, I’m hungrier than the great jack ever
was.”
OUR JOURNEY COMMENCES
I have already said that the river was the boundary
of the Hanyards on the side towards the village.
About a hundred yards above the pocket of deep water
where the jack had lain, I had built a little covered
dock, and here I kept a craft, half boat and half
punt, which I used for my fishing, and in which mother
and Kate could lie on cushions while I rowed them on
the river on warm summer nights. It was heavy
and ungainly, but very comfortable, and as safe as
the ark.
Joe received the information that he was to row to
Stafford as cheerfully as an invitation to a jug of
beer, and went off whistling to get the boat ready.
Everything that care could suggest was done for Mistress
Waynflete’s comfort. Jane carried down
to the boat two huge stone beer bottles, filled with
boiling water. Mother insisted on madam taking
her thick hooded cloak, shaped like a fashionable
domino, and covering her from head to ankles.
Kate slipped into my pocket a pint flask of her extra
special concoction of peppermint cordial, the best
possible companion on a night like this. Jane
came back and returned again laden with rugs and cushions,
and soon reported that the boat was ready.
Mother and Kate, with Jane behind them, came to the
garden gate to bid us farewell. Little was said,
for Mistress Waynflete was too moved by their kindness
to say much, and I was too preoccupied. Madam
kissed them all in turn and murmured a good-bye.
I kissed mother and Kate, and they wished me a good
voyage and a safe return. We turned our faces
riverward and started.
