The Country House

A PARTY AT WORSTED SKEYNES

The year was 1891, the month October, the day Monday.

In the dark outside the railway-station at Worsted Skeynes Mr. Horace Pendyce's omnibus, his brougham, his luggage-cart, monopolised space.

The face of Mr. Horace Pendyce's coachman monopolised the light of the solitary station lantern.

Rosy-gilled, with fat close-clipped grey whiskers and inscrutably pursed lips, it presided high up in the easterly air like an emblem of the feudal system.

On the platform within, Mr. Horace Pendyce's first footman and second groom in long livery coats with silver buttons, their appearance slightly relieved by the rakish cock of their top-hats, awaited the arrival of the 6.15.

The first footman took from his pocket a half-sheet of stamped and crested notepaper covered with Mr. Horace Pendyce's small and precise calligraphy. He read from it in a nasal, derisive voice:

“Hon. Geoff, and Mrs. Winlow, blue room and dress; maid, small drab.

Mr. George, white room.

Mrs. Jaspar Bellew, gold.

The Captain, red.

General Pendyce, pink room; valet, back attic.

That's the lot.”

The groom, a red-cheeked youth, paid no attention.

“If this here Ambler of Mr. George's wins on Wednesday,” he said, “it's as good as five pounds in my pocket.

Who does for Mr. George?”

“James, of course.”

The groom whistled.

“I'll try an' get his loadin' to-morrow.

Are you on, Tom?”

The footman answered:

“Here's another over the page.

Green room, right wing — that Foxleigh; he's no good.

'Take all you can and give nothing' sort!

But can't he shoot just!

That's why they ask him!”

From behind a screen of dark trees the train ran in.

Down the platform came the first passengers — two cattlemen with long sticks, slouching by in their frieze coats, diffusing an odour of beast and black tobacco; then a couple, and single figures, keeping as far apart as possible, the guests of Mr. Horace Pendyce.

Slowly they came out one by one into the loom of the carriages, and stood with their eyes fixed carefully before them, as though afraid they might recognise each other.

A tall man in a fur coat, whose tall wife carried a small bag of silver and shagreen, spoke to the coachman: