The Iron Master by Jean Stubbs Read Free Book Online Page A

they should open another bottle of wine. Then both men remembered the silent girl and her burden, and endeavoured to soften the conversation.
    ‘Now, Will, I have a bone to pick with you,’ said Toby gaily. ‘I hinted broadly at your sister’s new profession, and you did not so much as turn a hair. I had expected a better response from you.’
    ‘I seldom respond as I am bidden,’ said William, with dry pleasantry.
    ‘There you are like your sister. For I thought her simply a pretty, gentle creature when first we met at Thornton House. Then I discovered the steel beneath the lace, the iron beneath the velvet. Did I not, my Lord Chief Justice?’ Kissing her hands in turn. Which smoothed out Charlotte’s forehead and made her smile again. ‘Yes, our Lottie has the makings of a first-rate pamphleteer. I am already bringing her into the publishing side of the business. In fact, I have a capital notion for a new gazette and, given a year or two, Lottie shall edit it. There are quite a few lady writers hereabouts, are there not, Lottie? An odd but fascinating assortment! You shall meet some of them, Will. But Lottie has a cool head, a warm heart and a sharp pen, and that combination is as rare as diamonds in our business.’
    William guessed that this show of pride and affection was for his benefit, but that it was also the truth. He forgave the one because of the other.
    ‘We corresponded for a year together,’ Toby continued, giving his wife’s hands a playful little shake, ‘and someday when I have money to spare, instead of always owing, we shall publish our letters as an example of love’s growth from friendship. They are none of your mawkish rubbish. No miss’s moonshine. But a titanic struggle, Will, and so I tell you!’ And he turned to William with such charm and candour that the young man comprehended why his sister lived in a ruin with a ranter. ‘Do not imagine that I took a mean advantage of Lottie’s youth and innocence. I fought for my freedom like a lion, fought long and ardently. But she would have her way. You see before you an extremely happy fellow who was married in spite of himself!’
    They were all very pleasant together after this speech, and as the evening was now getting late Lottie made fresh tea, and they supped off the remains of their dinner. Then retired at last, and William, who had enjoyed no more than a few hours’ rest in three days, fell at once into a slumber so deep that it triumphed over the putrid odours of Lock-yard and the night-noise of a city. No scurrying rat could rouse him from this sleep, nor even the most tenacious bed-bug bite him to consciousness.
    *
    The day after William’s arrival Charlotte felt poorly and lay abed. Toby reported her to be somewhat low in spirits, and catching up a copper can with a hinged lid he suggested they take a walk to St James’s Park, where they could buy milk fresh from the cows that grazed there.
    ‘For myself I mind not,’ he said carelessly, striding out into the turbulence of Fleet Street. ‘I take milk but rarely — in coffee or tea. So what matter if it is somewhat sour, or mixed with water? But Lottie is a country lass, and bewails her lack.’
    ‘But where could people keep a cow here?’ William asked of the maze of tenements.
    ‘Oh, they could not. But in many places near the city we have cowsheds, some of them underground, which are like to your mills, brother — dark, unclean factories employing their workers from youth onwards. The delights of fresh air and sweet grass are unknown there. The animals are milked until they can give no more, and then cast out to die. But the cow has one final use — she can be slaughtered for her meat and hide! So St James’s Park is the answer, unless we take advantage of that she-ass there.’
    The small grey donkey had caused a traffic stoppage along the Strand, though people, carts and wagons were beginning to move round her. She stood patiently while her owner squatted on