Quicksilver: The Boy With No Skid to His Wheel

  CHAPTER FOUR.

  THE CHOICE OF A BOY.

  Next morning Dr Grayson took his gold-headed cane, and walked down tothe workhouse.

  Upon dragging at the bell the porter opened the gate obsequiously, andsent a messenger to tell the master Dr Grayson had called.

  "Good morning, Hippetts," said the doctor, who being a Poor-LawGuardian, and a wealthy inhabitant of the place, was received withsmiles by the important master.

  "Good morning, sir. Called to look round."

  "No, Hippetts, no," said the doctor, in the tone and manner of onemaking an inquiry about some ordinary article of merchandise; "got anyboys?"

  "Boys, sir; the house swarms with them."

  "Ah, well, show me some."

  "Show you some, sir?"

  "Yes. I want a boy."

  "Certainly, sir. This way, sir. About what age, sir!"

  "Eleven or twelve--not particular," said the doctor. Then to himself:"About the age of young Danby."

  "I see, sir," said the master. "Stout, strong, useful boy for abuttons."

  "Nonsense!" said the doctor testily, "I want a boy to adopt."

  "Oh!" said the master staring, and wondering whether rich philosophicalDr Grayson was in his right mind.

  He led the way along some whitewashed passages, and across a gravelyard, to a long, low building, from which came the well-known humminghum of many voices, among which a kind of chorus could be distinguished,and from time to time the sharp striking of a cane upon a desk, followedby a penetrating "Hush! hush!"

  As the master opened the door, a hot puff of stuffy, unpleasantly closeair came out, and the noise ceased as if by magic, though there wereabout three hundred boys in the long, open-roofed room.

  The doctor cast his eye round and saw a crowd of heads, theschoolmaster, and besides these--whitewash. The walls, the ceiling, thebeams were all whitewashed. The floor was hearth-stoned, but it seemedto be whitewashed, and even the boys' faces appeared to have beentouched over with a thin solution laid on with the whitewash brush.

  Every eye was turned upon the visitor, and the doctor frowned as helooked round at the pallid, wan-looking, inanimate countenances whichoffered themselves to his view. The boys were not badly fed; they wereclean; they were warmly clad; but they looked as if the food they atedid them no good, and was not enjoyed; as if they were too clean; and asif their clothes were not comfortable. Every face seemed to have beensqueezed into the same mould, to grow it into one particular make, whichwas inexpressive, inanimate, and dull, while they all wore the look ofbeing on the high-road to old-manism without having been allowed to stopand play on the way, and be boys.

  "Hush! hush!" came from the schoolmaster, and a pin might have beenheard to fall.

  The boys devoured the doctor with their eyes. He was a stranger. Itwas something to see, and it was a break in the horrible monotony oftheir existence. Had they known the object of the visit, a tremendousyell would have arisen, and it would have been formed of twowords--"Take me."

  It was considered a model workhouse school, too, one of which theguardians were proud. There was no tyranny, no brutality, but there wasendless drill and discipline, and not a scrap of that for which everyboy's heart naturally yearns;--"Home, sweet home."

  No amount of management can make that and deck it with a mother's love;and it must have been the absence of these elements which made theColeby boys look like three hundred white-faced small old men.

  "Now, let me see, sir," said the master; "of course the matter will haveto be laid before the Board in the usual form, but you will make yourselection now. Good light, sir, to choose."

  Mr Hippetts did not mean it unkindly; but he too spoke as if he werebusy over some goods he had to sell.

  "Let me see. Ah! Coggley, stand out."

  Coggley, a very thin boy of thirteen, a little more whitewashy than therest, stood out, and made a bow as if he were wiping his nose with hisright hand, and then curving it out at the doctor.

  He was a nice, sad-looking boy, with railways across his forehead, and apinched-in nose; but he was very thin, and showed his shirt between thetop of his trousers and the bottom of his waistcoat, instead of upon hischest, while it was from growth, not vanity, that he showed so muchankle and wrist.

  "Very good boy, sir. Had more marks than any one of his age last year."

  "Won't do," said the doctor shortly.

  "Too thin," said Mr Hippetts to himself. "Bunce!" he shouted.

  Bunce stood out, or rather waddled forth, a stoutly-made boy with shortlegs,--a boy who, if ever he had a chance, would grow fat and round,with eyes like two currants, and a face like a bun.

  Bunce made a bow like a scoop upside down.

  "Another excellent boy, sir," said Mr Hippetts. "I haven't a fault tofind with him. He is now twelve years old, and he--"

  "Won't do," said the doctor crossly.

  "Go back, Bunce," cried the master. "Pillett, stand out. Now here,sir, is a lad whom I am sure you will like. Writes a hand likecopperplate. Age thirteen, and very intelligent."

  Pillett came forward eagerly, after darting a triumphant look at Coggleyand Bunce. He was a wooden-faced boy, who seemed to have hard brainsand a soft head, for his forehead looked nubbly, and there were roundedoff corners at the sides.

  "Let Dr Grayson hear you say--"

  "No, no, Hippetts; this is not an examination," cried the doctortestily. "That is not the sort of boy I want. He must be a bright,intelligent lad, whom I can adopt and take into my house. I shall treathim exactly as if he were my own son, and if he is a good lad, it willbe the making of him."

  "Oh! I see, sir," said Mr Hippetts importantly. "Go back, Pillett. Ihave the very boy. Gloog!"

  Pillett went back, and furtively held up his fist at triumphant Gloog,who came out panting as if he had just been running fast, and as soon ashe had made the regulation bow, he, from old force of habit, wiped hisnose on his cuff.

  "No, no, no, no," cried the doctor, without giving the lad a secondglance, the first at his low, narrow forehead and cunning cast offeatures being quite enough.

  "But this is an admirably behaved boy, sir," protested Mr Hippetts."Mr Sibery here can speak very highly of his qualifications."

  "Oh yes, sir," put in the schoolmaster with a severe smile and a distantbow, for he felt annoyed at not being consulted.

  "Yes, yes," said the doctor; "but not my style of boy."

  "Might I suggest one, sir!" said Mr Sibery deferentially, as he glancedat the king who reigned over the whole building.

  "To be sure," said the doctor. "You try."

  Mr Hippetts frowned, and Mr Sibery wished he had not spoken; but thedark look on the master's brow gave place to an air of triumph as theschoolmaster introduced seven boys, one after the other, to all of whomthe visitor gave a decided negative.

  "Seems a strange thing," he said, "that out of three hundred boys youcannot show one I like."

  "But all these are excellent lads, sir," said the master deprecatingly.

  "Humph!"

  "Best of characters."

  "Humph!"

  "Our own training, sir. Mr Sibery has spared no pains, and I havewatched over the boys' morals."

  "Yes, I dare say. Of course. Here, what boy's that?"

  He pointed with his cane to a pair of round blue eyes, quite at theback.

  "That, sir--that lame boy!"

  "No, no; that young quicksilver customer with the curly poll."

  "Oh! that, sir! He wouldn't do," cried the two masters almost in abreath.

  "How do you know!" said the doctor tartly.

  "Very bad boy indeed, sir, I'm sorry to say," said the schoolmaster.

  "Yes, sir; regular young imp; so full of mischief that he corrupts theother boys. Can't say a word in his favour; and, besides, he's tooyoung."

  "How old?"

  "About eleven, sir."

  "Humph! Trot him out."

  "Obed Coleby," said the master in a
severe voice.

  "Coleby, eh?"

  "Yes, sir. Son of a miserable tramp who died some years ago in theHouse. No name with him, so we called him after the town."

  "Humph!" said the doctor, as the little fellow came, full of eagernessand excitement, after kicking at Pillett, who put out a leg to hinderhis advance.

  The doctor frowned, and gazed sternly at the boy, taking in carefullyhis handsome, animated face, large blue eyes, curly yellow hair, andopen forehead: not that his hair had much opportunity for curling--theworkhouse barber stopped that.

  The boy's face was as white as those of his companions, but it did notseem depressed and inanimate, for, though it was thin and white, hismouth was rosy and well-curved, and the slightly parted lips showed hispearly white teeth.

  "Humph!" said the doctor, as the bright eyes gazed boldly into his.

  "Where's your bow, sir?" said the master sternly.

  "Oh! I forgot," said the boy quickly; and he made up for his lapse bybowing first with one and then the other hand.

  "A sad young pickle," said the master. "Most hopeless case, sir.Constantly being punished."

  "Humph! You young rascal!" said the doctor sternly. "How dare you be anaughty boy!"

  The little fellow wrinkled his white forehead, and glanced at theschoolmaster, and then at Mr Hippetts, before looking back at thedoctor.

  "I d'know," he said, in a puzzled way.

  "You don't know, sir!"

  "No. I'm allus cotching it."

  "Say _sir_, boy," cried the master.

  "Allus cotching of it, sir, and it don't do me no good."

  "Really, Dr Grayson--"

  "Wait a bit, Mr Hippetts," said the doctor more graciously. "Let mequestion the boy."

  "Certainly, sir. But he has a very bad record."

  "Humph! Tells the truth, though," said the doctor. "Here, sir, what'syour name?"

  "Obed Coleby."

  "_Sir_!" cried the master.

  "Obed Coleby, _sir_," said the boy quickly, correcting himself.

  "What a name!" ejaculated the doctor.

  "Yes, ain't it? I hates it, sir."

  "Oh! you do?"

  "Yes; the boys all make fun of it, and call me Bed, and Go-to-bed, andOld Bedstead, and when they don't do that, they always call me Old Coalbag or Coaly."

  "That will do, sir. Don't chatter so," said Mr Sibery reprovingly.

  "Please, sir, he asked me," said the boy in protest; and there was afrank, bluff manner in his speech which took with the doctor.

  "Humph!" he said. "Would you like to leave this place, and come andlive with me!"

  The boy puckered up his face, took a step forward, and the master made amovement as if to send him back; but the doctor laid his hand upon hisarm, while the boy gazed into his eyes for some moments with wonderfullysearching intentness.

  "Well?" said the doctor. "Will you?"

  The boy's face smoothed; a bright light danced in his eyes; and, as iffull of confidence in his own judgment, he said eagerly--

  "Yes; come along;" and he held out his hand.

  "And leave all your schoolfellows!" said the doctor.

  The boy's bright face clouded directly, and he turned to gaze back atthe crowd of closely cropped heads.

  "He'll be glad enough to go," said the schoolmaster.

  "Yes," said Mr Hippetts; "a most ungrateful boy."

  The little fellow--stunted of his age--swung sharply round; and they sawthat his eyes were brimming over as he looked reproachfully from one tothe other.

  "I didn't want to be a bad un, sir," he said. "I did try, and--and--and--I'll stop here, please, and--"

  He could say no more, for his face was working, and, at last, in shameand agony of spirit, he covered his face with his hands, and let himselfdrop in a heap on the stone floor, sobbing hysterically.

  "Coleby! Stand up, sir!" cried the master sternly.

  "Let him be, Mr Hippetts, if you please," said the doctor, withdignity; and he drew in a long breath, and remained for some momentssilent, while the whole school stared with wondering eyes, and the twomasters exchanged glances.

  "Strange boy," said Mr Hippetts.

  Then the doctor bent down slowly, and laid his hand upon the lad'sshoulder.

  The little fellow started up, flinching as if from a blow, but as soonas he saw who had touched him, he rose to his knees, and caught quicklyat the doctor's extended hand, while the look in the visitor's eyes hadso strange an influence upon him that he continued to gaze wonderinglyin the stern but benevolent face.

  "I think you'll come with me?" said the doctor.

  "Yes, I'd come. But may I?"

  "Yes; I think he may, Mr Hippetts?" said the doctor.

  "Yes, sir; of course, sir, if you wish it," said the master, with ratheran injured air; "but I feel bound to tell you the boy's character."

  "Yes; of course."

  "And to warn you, sir, that you will bring him back in less than aweek."

  "No, Mr Hippetts," said the doctor quietly; "I shall not bring himback."

  "Well, sir; if you are satisfied I have nothing to say."

  "I am satisfied, Mr Hippetts."

  "But he is not so old as you said, sir."

  "No."

  "And you wanted a boy of good character."

  "Yes; but I recall all I said. That is the boy I want. Can I take himat once?"

  "At once, sir!" said the master, as the little fellow, with his face astudy, listened eagerly, and looked from one to the other. "I shallhave to bring your proposal before the Board."

  "That is to say, before me and my colleagues," said the doctor, smiling."Well, as one of the Guardians, I think I may venture to take the boynow, and the formal business can be settled afterwards."

  "Oh yes, sir; of course. And I venture to think, sir, that it will notbe necessary to go on with it."

  "Why, Mr Hippetts?"

  "Because," said the master, with a peculiar smile which was reflected inthe schoolmaster's face; "you are sure to bring him back."

  "I think I said before I shall not bring him back," replied the doctorcoldly.

  The master bowed, and Mr Sibery cleared his throat and frowned at theboys.

  "Then I think that's all," said the doctor, laying his hand upon theboy's head.

  "Do I understand you, sir, to mean that you want to take him now?"

  "Directly."

  "But his clothes, sir; and he must be--"

  "I want to take him directly, Mr Hippetts, with your permission, and hewill need nothing more from the Union."

  "Very good, sir; and I hope that he will take your kindness to heart.Do you hear, Coleby? And be a very good boy to his benefactor, and--"

  "Yes, yes, yes, Mr Hippetts," said the doctor, cutting him short. "I'msure he will. Now, my man, are you ready?"

  "Yes, sir," cried the boy eagerly; "but--"

  "Well?" said the doctor kindly.

  "I should like to say good-bye to some of the chaps, and I've gotsomething to give 'em."

  "Indeed! what?"

  "Well, sir; I want to give Dick Dean my mouse, and Tommy Robson mynicker, and share all my buttons among the chaps in my dormitory; andthen I've six pieces of string and a pair of bones, and a sucker."

  "Go and share them, and say good-bye to them all," said the doctor,drawing a breath full of satisfaction; and the boy darted away full ofexcitement.

  "May I say a word to the boys, Mr Sibery?" said the doctor, smiling.

  "Certainly, sir."

  "Will you call for silence?"

  The master called, and the doctor asked the lads to give their oldschoolfellow a cheer as he was going away.

  They responded with a shout that made the windows rattle.

  "And now," said the doctor, "I'm going to ask Mr Hippetts to give youall a holiday, and I am leaving threepence a piece to be distributedamong you, so that you may have a bit of fun."

  Mr Hippetts smiled as he took the money, and the boys cheered aga
in, inthe midst of which shouts the doctor moved off with his charge, but onlyfor his _protege_ to break away from him, and run to offer his hand toMr Sibery, who coughed slightly, and shook hands limply, as if he wereconferring a great favour.

  The boy then held out his hand to the master, and he also shook hands ina dignified way.

  "Shall I send the boy on, sir?" said Mr Hippetts.

  "Thanks, no, Hippetts; I'll take him with me."

  "Would you like a fly, sir?"

  "No, Hippetts; I'm not ashamed for people to see what I do. Come along,my lad."

  "Please, sir; mayn't I say good-bye to Mother Curdley?"

  "Mother Curdley? Who is she!"

  "Nurse, sir."

  "The woman who had charge of him when he was a tiny fellow."

  "Ah! to be sure. Yes, certainly," said the doctor. "He may, ofcourse?"

  "Oh! certainly, sir. Run on, boy, and we'll follow."

  "No larks," said the boy sharply, as he looked at the doctor.

  "No; I shall not run away, my man."

  The boy darted down a long whitewashed passage, and the doctor said:--

  "I understand you to say that he has no friends whatever!"

  "None, sir, as far as we know. Quite a foundling."

  "That will do," said the doctor; and while the boy was bidding good-byeto the old woman who had tended the sick tramp, the master led the wayto the nursery, where about a dozen children were crawling about andhanging close to a large fire-guard. Others were being nursed on thecheck aprons of some women, while one particularly sour creature wasrocking a monstrous cradle, made like a port-wine basket, with sixcompartments, in every one of which was an unfortunate babe.

  "Which he's a very good affectionate boy, sir," said a woman, coming upwith the doctor's choice clinging to her apron; "and good-bye, and goodluck, and there, God bless you, my dear!" she said, as she kissed theboy in a true motherly way, he clinging to her as the only being he hadfelt that he could love.

  That burst of genuine affection won Mother Curdley five shillings, whichshe pocketed with one hand, as she wiped her eyes with the other, andthen had a furtive pinch of snuff, which made several babies sneeze asif they had bad colds.

  "Very eccentric man," said Mr Hippetts.

  "Very," assented Mr Sibery.

  "But he'll bring the young ruffian back."

  The doctor did not hear, for he was walking defiantly down the mainstreet, waving his gold-headed cane, while the boy clung to his hand,and walked with bent head, crying silently, but fighting hard to keep itback.

  The doctor saw it, and pressed the boy's hand kindly.

  "Yes," he said to himself; "I'll show old Danby now. The very boy Iwanted. Ah," he added aloud; "here we are."