The Prince of Eden by Marilyn Harris Read Free Book Online Page A

every human being had a right to enough to eat and a place to sleep, and dignity as a human being. He'd wanted to be a schoolteacher, but the public schools had not been interested in a man, no matter how brilliant, with such radical ideas. Edward had off"ered to share the house on Oxford Street, and had given Daniel permission to turn part of it into a Ragged School, a tuition-free establishment for abandoned children.
    Now Edward looked gratefully at this friend who was asking him endless questions about his well-being. And Edward saw again the one quality that had attracted him to the man from the beginning. It was his habitually caring spirit, his deep and genuine concern, not for mankind in the abstract, but for the smallest child,, the most insignificant wound.
    At last Daniel shook his head, his long unruly red hair graying slightly at the temples. "The last I saw of you yesterday evening were the bottoms of your boots as they carried you out of the Blue Bell and Crown." He shook his head as though reliving the sight. "Is it always so diflficult to gain admittance to Newgate?"
    Again Edward tried to make light of the event. "A drunken row was a small price to pay."
    Daniel leaned closer. "Did you see her? How is she faring?"
    "I saw her, but did not speak with her."
    Daniel looked across the street toward the Longford linen establishment. "I've not seen movement all morning."
    Edward followed his gaze. In the process, he saw the young prostitute, Elizabeth, still in the carriage, apparently frozen in fear and indecision. Edward reached back and extended her his hand. "Come," he urged, "I want you to meet my friend."
    Following without protest, the girl came, as always hiding her damaged hand behind her. Edward noticed Daniel's face. Nothing

    brought him greater delight than raw material. "Her name is Elizabeth," Edward said quietly.
    Smiling, Daniel bobbed his head. "Elizabeth," he repeated.
    Now as they started up the stairs, Edward noticed the vast entrance hall was deserted, yet the welcoming spirit of the old house was enough to satisfy him. With Daniel leading the way, talking quietly to the girl, they passed along until they reached what once had been the grand banqueting hall. Edward stopped at the door and admired the view before him; approximately forty children were sitting upright at desks, four volunteer teachers in attendance while the children recited their figures. In spite of the crowded room, everything seemed quiet with purpose.
    He waited and watched while Daniel handed the girl over to one of the volunteers, saw the fleeting fear in her eyes as she turned a final time and looked in his direction. He smiled his reassurance at her. Then she was led off to the kitchen below, where the staff would bathe her, give her fresh garments and a hot meal. If she chose to return to her home at nightfall, she was free to do so. But based on past experience, Edward knew she wouldn't.
    Now as Daniel and Edward retreated to the entrance hall, Daniel's concern was still very genuine. "Are you certain you're not seriously injured, Edward? Next time, please advise me of what you're up to."
    Edward placed an affectionate arm about his shoulder. "If you'd been in on it, they would have arrested you as well. I need you here."
    Daniel confronted him with a direct question. "And what was accomplished?"
    "A plot," Edward replied, "or more accurately half a plot. With the help of the head turnkey, perhaps she'll never have to endure the sentence." He then remembered the packet of money inside his pocket. "And this," he smiled, withdrawing the packet, "this was accomplished as well." Carefully he separated the notes, retaining fifteen hundred pounds. The rest he handed over to Daniel. "I've brought you another mouth to feed. You may need this."
    Daniel stared at the very generous sum being offered him. He seemed hesitant to take it. "I don't need that much," he protested.
    But Edward insisted. "There are overdue bills. I know.