Ricky

by Sheila Hunter

  "Indeed we are, lad. I taught him to play and at times I am sorry for it."

  "But many times you are glad, Grandi," the young man rejoined.

  "Especially when I beat you Josh, eh? Ah, here's lunch."

  A man who was obviously not of the hotel staff entered the room pushing a trolley. He deftly brought a table towards the men setting it up neatly and quickly. He announced that the meal was ready and served them silently. Joshua helped his grandfather to the table and smiled at his and the man's assistance.

  "Mr English, this is Burton. We've been talking about you, Burton. We told Mr English that you did not enjoy all of the voyage. Not too good, was it Burton?"

  "No sir, not all of it," smiling at his master.

  Ricky enjoyed these two men and no matter where the conversation started it always seemed to finish up with the subject most on their minds.

  Young Mr Falconer-Mead seemed to voice their thoughts when he said, "Grandfather, I wonder whether we would ever have found Tad if he hadn't happened to meet me on the stairs."

  "I wonder that, too lad. I just wonder that."

  "Do I take it then, sir, that you really are convinced that Tad is your grandson?" asked Ricky. "Have you made up your mind so quickly?"

  "What would you think if you were in my shoes, Mr English. eh? What would you think?" the old man asked.

  "I wouldn't attempt to answer that Mr Falconer-Mead, I have no evidence but the resemblance to justify my opinion. So I will not say."

  "You are very sensible, young man, and I will not tell you just what I think, yet. Nor will I stop trying to search for further clues. In fact I will not say anything to Tad one way or another until we have been here some months and I get to know him well. I wish to meet Mr Landon and his family, especially Miss Amabel, whom I am told on good authority is very beautiful."

  "I daresay you will wish to check up on me, too Mr Falconer-Mead and see what kind of fist I have made of my life." said Ricky. "I would expect you to do that."

  "Indeed I will young man. I hope to know you a great deal better by the time we leave for home."

  "I look forward to that, sir. I hope I can be of service to you in some way and will always be as co-operative as I can."

  Ricky pondered over the problem and wondered how it would end. Did it mean that Tad would have to go back to England, change his name and take up a life that would be so different to the one here? How would Amabel like this new life away from her family if this happened? What a change could come over them all. What did Will feel about it? His manner was rather strange last night.

  When Ricky got home that night Mrs Keen told him that Will was not coming home until late and Ricky was to be the only one to dine. "All right, thank you, Mrs Keen," he said. "Remember that I am going to the Hawkesbury tomorrow and will be away until Sunday."

  "Yes, Mr English, I remember that you are to take over the farm this weekend aren't you? I do hope it is all you wish."

  "It is a lovely place, Mrs Keen. I will be able to take you out to look at it soon. I will need your advice about how to set up the house for the boys. I hope you will help me."

  "I'll be glad to, sir. I grew up in the country and at times I miss it very much. Of course the country here is not like mine at home, I'm sure. It is probably very lonely."

  "No. I don't think you would find this so. It is beautiful country and you can see your neighbour."

  "I look forward to seeing the place," she said. "How soon would you like dinner, sir? It could be ready anytime for I made it simple seeing that Mr Tad and Mr Will are out."

  "Thank you Mrs Keen. I'll start to pack my things and you may call me when it is ready," said Ricky.

  He had hoped to be able to speak to Will before he went away for three days but he left a note for him telling him that he would return on Sunday evening. He caught the early train to Parramatta and was able to get to Windsor to complete his business in good time and have a late lunch at the hotel with the lawyer who had completed the contracts. He had asked Rob Martin to come in and collect him after lunch and was able to chat to the man all the way to his new possession.

  Rob told him all the news of the place. He had never seen the man so animated about the prospect of the amazing venture he had got himself involved in. Rob had been rather reticent about taking it on but when he found that he was to have good help to aid in the training of the boys he agreed to enter in to the project. He now asked eagerly when the boys would come, telling Ricky that the young man he had sent down to meet Rob appeared to be quite satisfactory and he thought would be a good leader for the boys. They talked about the way they could train the five boys who were chosen to start the scheme, and how to accommodate them in the house.

  "I thought, Mr English, that we could get young Perks to knock up some petitions along the big side verandah to make cubicles for the boys. This would give them some privacy but not isolate them from each other. This way we can see that they learn to live tidily. If they were all in one big area they could mess up each others places but having them divided would make each boy responsible for their own area. What do you think, sir?"

  "Yes, you do what you think, Rob. We now have a free hand to go ahead and do what we want. You are completely in charge and you may do what you wish, but I would like to be consulted if you plan anything radical," said Ricky.

  "Of course, sir," Rob answered. The house is so big that it will easily accommodate a number of boys as well as give me a good place to call my own and an apartment for you, too. The rambling old place would almost house a regiment, I think."

  "Yes, I was surprised at its size. It is much bigger that it looks. Where have you decided to take as yours, Rob?" Ricky asked.

  "Well, sir, you have first choice, of course. But I thought that I would have a room off the side verandah that Mr Raynes used. There is quite a suite of rooms next to that that I thought you would want for yourself and your brothers. I don't think I would be in your way. I hope that is all right."

  "Yes, of course it is, Rob. It is just where I wished you to be. I daresay my brothers will not be here often, but Will may be. My brother Tad will be marrying soon and he and his wife may wish to visit on occasions."

  Ricky spent a pleasant weekend planning things with Rob. He was pleased to see how well he got on with the staff and soon realised that he was all Mr Forrest said he was. He obviously had given a great deal of thought to the planning of the whole project and Ricky was amazed to find that he had also been planning where to build the orphanage when the time came. Rob had also spent some time seeing all the customers of the renowned dairy, assuring them that the quality would continue and supplies would remain constant.

  Ricky was just sitting down to tea on the verandah when he heard a vehicle come to the gate. He was pleased to see Mr and Mrs Forrest and Miss Elston.

  He called to the new housekeeper to make more tea and ran down the steps to greet his very first visitors.

  "I hope you don't mind the invasion, Ricky, but I couldn't keep my women folk away. They were determined to be your first visitors," said Mr Forrest.

  "You are very welcome, sir, and Mrs Forrest and Miss Elston. I am so pleased to see you. You see I am feeling rather overwhelmed and I was just sitting down wondering what I have done and whether I can cope with it all. I need you to boost my morale."

  Ricky helped the ladies down and called for a hand to take the vehicle to the stables. " Please come up and have tea. I've asked Mrs Smith to bring more. I am sorry we haven't very much furniture. We did manage to get Mr Raynes to part with enough for us to get by, but we are not overstocked with chairs I am sorry."

  "Never mind, Ricky," said Mrs Forrest. "As long as we have tea I will stand for it and then we must see everything."

  "Well, dear, I hardly think we will see everything. Poor Ricky has only just arrived and we can hardly expect him to have the place organised yet," said Mr Forrest, "or to take time off to show us."

  "I have you both to thank
that things are as good as they are, sir. Rob Martin is a marvel. The place is running as smooth as silk," Ricky laughed. "There isn't much I can do right now."

  Jenny chuckled. "We did think you would find Rob useful, Mr English."

  "Yes, Miss Elston, he seems to be very good. He has entered into all my plans, including orphans, to such an extent that I think I will be 'de trop'."

  "Not if I know you, young man," Mr Forrest put in.

  "After tea you must help me plan and look things over in the house, at least." He led them round to the verandah where he first met Mr Raynes. Mrs Smith had found enough chairs that were suitable for them to sit on. "Oh, thank you, Mrs Smith, you shouldn't have carried them. I forgot we have a full set of chairs in the dining room. That is something we inherited from Mr Raynes," explained Ricky. "This is Mrs Smith, who has come to look after us and doesn't seem in the least intimidated at the thought of looking after a lot of men and boys." He smiled at the buxom woman.

  "And why not, sir?" she asked. "Didn't I always work in boy's school back at home, to be sure?"

  "How did you find such a treasure, Ricky? She seems to be just what you need here." Mrs Forrest asked, as Mrs Smith went into the house.

  "I didn't find her, Mrs Forrest, Rob did. She certainly had glowing references. So good that it makes me wonder. However we will see."

  They wandered all over the house, finding many of the rooms empty. Ricky talked about Rob's idea of turning the other side verandah into cubicles for the boys. The women had some good ideas for this and Ricky started to write things down as they went, realizing his limitations.

  "Wherever are you going to get enough furniture in Windsor to furnish all this?" Mrs Forrest, not thinking about what she said.

  Ricky laughed, "That is one thing I do not have to worry about Mrs Forrest. I can send what I need from the store."

  "I am sorry, I didn't think," she said. "What fun to go into a store and say, I want this and that and send that."

  "Well, I can't exactly do that, but yes, it is rather easy to do. I have to answer to my other share-holders you know. My brothers may not like the idea of helping to furnish this place," he said.

  "Will they come out here, do you think?" she asked. "I still have to see Mr Tad English out here yet."

  "Oh, yes, Tad is quite excited at the prospect, but he's rather occupied at the most. He has visitors from England. But Will finds he likes the bush after all and wants to paint some gum trees. I hope he makes a better job of it than some of the artists so far. They make gum trees look like English trees."

  "Is Mr Will a good artist, Mr English? Or is it right to ask you?" asked Jenny.

  "I probably am a bit biased, Miss Elston, but I do think he is really good. He does seem to paint people more than things, though. In fact he is getting to be quite popular as a portraitist. He could have all the work he wants, but is rather particular about his subjects, he likes painting character rather than beauty and so misses out on painting all the young ladies their fond parents would like him to do. Will's hard to budge when he makes up his mind." His guests noticed a quick frown appear on his forehead, but did not comment.

  "Would you mind if I took my wife to see the dairy, Ricky? I have been waxing lyrical about it. Jenny has seen it and I would like to show Nell," asked Mr Forrest.

  "Will I get my feet muddy, Edward?" she asked.

  "No, Mrs Forrest, there is a good path," Ricky answered for her husband. "I hope you enjoy it. I can never find a better place to spend time. It truly fascinates me. It also worries me to think that I now own such a famous one. If Miss Elston would care to see it I will point out where my orphanage is to be, or at least where Rob wants it to be."

  "I, too, will ask, Mr English. Will I get my feet muddy?" Jenny asked.

  "No, Miss Elston, we will not leave the verandah, you can survey all from here," Ricky assured her.

  Ricky spent a glorious half hour showing his new love the plans that he had for his schemes. He was so pleased that she asked intelligent questions and really seemed interested in it. He had an overwhelming desire to tell her how he felt but knew that it was not yet time and so tried to keep his mind on the plans and not the sweetness who stood beside him. She asked him when his orphanage plans would go ahead, and he explained that he could not give a date yet as he had so much to think about and plan. There was no hurry, for his present children were well housed for the moment.

  "Your present children?" she asked. "You mean to say that you have some already?"

  Ricky laughed. "You sound just like my brothers when they heard about it. You know I am sure they must have thought I was quite demented. But I assure you, Miss Elston, that I am quite sane. I just cannot bear the thought of little children having to go through what Tad and Will went through in their early days. Do you realise how many there are roaming Sydney's streets?"

  The colour drained from Jenny's face. "I am sorry to say, Mr English, that I do not. I know that there are children there but I do not see many of them when I am in Sydney and those I have seen have not interested me one whit. You make me feel ashamed."

  He took her hands. "I had no intention of it Miss Elston. I know that I have only come to the knowledge because I have made it my business to find out. I did not tell you to make you feel any remote responsibility. Please accept my apologies."

  "No, I know you did not. I didn't mean that but I am truly sorry that there are so many little ones whom I could perhaps have helped and did not."

  "It is very difficult to help them. Mrs Landon and her daughters help in the girls hostel, but I do not see how you could help with the street children. They are a difficult bunch to assist."

  "And yet you do," she challenged.

  "Yes, but my circumstances are very different. I live in the town, I have the resources to do it and I am a man, which makes it so much easier," he turned away from her. "Besides I told you, I was a street boy myself and they know it and accept it from me." He didn't think she would realise what a wrench it was to say that straight out to her.

  Jenny stood looking down at the place where the orphanage would be. "What a good thing you were. You must have a goal in life, Mr English, and that's your goal, isn't it?" she said turning to him.

  She looked up to him with such compassion that Ricky's heart seemed to turn over. He wanted to pour out to her all he felt. He got as far as saying, "Miss Elston ..." When a 'halloo' came from Mr Forrest who was leading his wife towards the house. Ricky gave Jenny's hand a gentle squeeze and took her to the steps to greet his guests. Trying to compose himself he asked, "And what do you think of my dairy, Mrs Forrest? But don't give me credit for it, for I really haven't done anything towards its workings as I have only acquired it today." He felt rather confused and his cheeks were a little flushed.

  Mrs Forrest looked at him with interest as she had seen them gazing at one another. She was sorry they had returned when they did for she was sure that she and Edward had interrupted something.

  "Will you have some more refreshment, Mrs Forrest, before you leave. Perhaps you would care to stay for dinner. I am sure Mrs Smith could supply it," said Ricky.

  "Thank you, no, Ricky," said Mr Forrest. "We will get along now. We told them at home we would be in before dark."

  Mrs Forrest smiled a knowing smile and asked, "Will you be here for the whole weekend, Ricky?"

  "I must return on Sunday, Mrs Forrest," he said, "but I shall probably be here most weekends."

  "I am sure you will be," she thought, but said, "Would you care to come for dinner tomorrow evening."

  "Thank you Mrs Forrest. Yes, I think I could manage it. I have to go round the place pretty thoroughly with Rob tomorrow, but dinner should be quite all right."

  "It shouldn't take you all day to look at you new possession, Ricky," said the farmer. "Come as early as you can."

  "Thank you I will. I'll ride over, sir. I believe there is a shorter way if one rides."

  "Yes, Rob will put you right. He know
s every nook and cranny of this area."

  "I'll do that," Ricky said avoiding looking at Jenny.

  "I asked your man to bring around the carriage. Oh, here he is," said Forrest.

  They walked to the phaeton, Ricky helping the ladies in could hardly contain himself when Jenny gave him her hand. They smiled at each other as though no-one existed but them. Mr Forrest gave his wife a quizzical look. She was frightened he might make some remark so gave him a quick frown.

  Jenny didn't turn to wave just sat still seeming to be in a dream. The Forrests smiled to one another chatting over the afternoon's events. But Nell couldn't help saying as they neared home and noticing that Jenny had uttered not a word, "Mr English is a fine young man, Jenny. He seems to have some great plans."

  Jenny looked up and said, "I think he is the finest ever made, Auntie."

  Nell leaned towards her and said, "Jenny love, I am so happy."

  CHAPTER 15 Jenny

  Three o'clock the next day saw Ricky riding helter-skelter along the lanes to "Claremont" to see his love. Rob had given clear instructions how to find his way and Ricky had been surprised to find how easy it was. In his eagerness to get there he forgot for a while that he should arrive looking cool and not full of the excitement he felt. So he pulled his horse up and walked him for some time and so cooled himself off as well as his eager mount.

  He was disappointed to find that there were visitors taking tea with the Forrest’s and so had to compose himself to being patient until he could get his Jenny alone. Mrs Forrest smiled to herself as she noted that he could barely look at Jenny for fear of giving himself away. He was certainly not the usual attentive guest who was quick to take part in any inane conversation, but had even to be spoken to twice at times. The Prices were dreary guests at the best of times and never seemed to know when to go and Nell cudgeled her mind as to how she could gently hint them away, but could not come up with any thoughts in that direction. So she said, "Jenny, dear, I wonder whether you could go and gather those long stemmed pink roses for me that I promised Mrs Whitlaw. Ricky, I am sure Mrs Price will excuse you if you go and carry the basket for Jenny."