Love in Our Time by Norman Collins Read Free Book Online Page A

never, save when in peril of my own life will I use the Mariner’s most secret sign for aid.”
    â€œLet us go below,” said the Commodore at last. There was a scraping of chairs and everyone sat down.
    â€œBrother Mariners,” the Commodore resumed, “we open our sitting with our usual appeal for rescue parties. I want volunteers for Life Lines and Boat Crews.”
    He removed a strip of paper from his pocket and began to read.
    â€œBrother Slater, who was convicted of misappropriation six months ago and is now under sentence in Brixton Prison, appeals for someone that his two children, aged two years and five years, can play with so that they will not feel that they are condemned to forgo the company of other human beings.”
    The schoolmaster beside Mr. Biddle rose to his feet. “Brother Commodore,” he said. “I will man that Lifeline. They can play with my children any day.”
    Another Mariner rose. He was white haired and rather benign looking.
    â€œIf any Brother Mariner can provide an escort,” he said, “I can provide Brother Slater’s children with Sunday tickets for the Zoo.” He sat down again with the self-conscious air of someone who has given away something that is not in everybody’s power to give.
    But the Commodore was already speaking again.
    â€œOur Brother Millward,” he said, “has suffered the misfortune to have his ship go aground and has now received a summons for his water-rate, general-rate and gas. The amount needed to refloat the ship is twenty-seven pounds ten shillings. Will any Mariner offer to assist him?”
    There was silence for some time. Then Mr. Biddle himself rose. He knew Millward and rather liked him; they had played bowls together when Millward’s little tobacco and stationery business had still looked well-established and flourishing.
    â€œBrother Commodore,” Mr. Biddle said, “I move that our Commodore orders out a Boat Crew. I will undertake to serve on it.”
    â€œBrother Mariners,” the Commodore replied, “who will join Brother Biddle in a Life Boat?”
    They rose, one after another, the well-to-do ones. And as they stood there, the bravest of their kind, they felt a little surge of pride inside them that they should be the ones who could help. It seemed to justify so much in their business lives that they were now ready to give away a part of what they had struggled so hard to acquire.Soon eleven of them were standing there; then after a pause a twelfth got up.
    â€œBrother Biddle,” said the Commodore. “I command you to send your Boat Crew to Brother Millward’s rescue and hand in Brother Millward’s receipt for the amount to the Clerk of the Lodge.”
    The Commodore paused and his voice became choked with emotion again. “Brother Mariners,” he said, “tonight I relinquish my office and another Commodore is elected to the East Finchley Fleet. I will say only one thing to you. Be as kind to him as you have been to me and his task will be an easy one. This year has been the greatest honour in my life. Let me assure you, Brother Mariners, that my successor carries with him my sincere good wishes and my blessing and my offer to help whenever he may be in need of it.”
    As he sat down a burst of applause broke out. All forty-two men were surprised and delighted by the shortness of the speech. They sat comfortably back and prepared to get on with the serious business of election.
    There were only four names for consideration. Mr. Hill, the chemist, Mr. Rogers, a solicitor’s clerk, Mr. Ankerson, a commercial traveller, and Mr. Vestry. Mr. Vestry was the safe bet for the Commodoreship. He was a city man with a good clear organising head and a liking for what he called getting down to things. His position was spoken of with some respect and he came to Harbour Sittings in his car, leaving his non-Mariner chauffeur-crew hanging about