those two brats at a separate table or something,’ she said.
‘Of course we can’t,’ said Maria. ‘Mother has said definitely that she wants them at table with the rest of us. I showed her the list and it has her full approval. I don’t want to hurt your feelings, Ruby, but actually those children have far more right to sit with the rest of the family than you have.’
‘Dee dah dee dah!’ said Ruby. ‘All I meant to say was that Barnie is coming. That’s why I think you’ll have to move them.’
‘Barnie?’
‘My music master, Barnaby Orme-Head.’
‘Does
‘Certainly. I asked her if he could come and she agreed at once when I told her he was my singing teacher.’
‘But we shall be thirteen at table!’
‘That’s why I still say you’ll have to move the brats, dear. They probably chew with their mouths open and spill things in their laps, anyway, so you’ll be better off without them. Besides, I did promise you that I could get Barnie when you said you’d be short of men. Actually I thought I would be doing you a favour.’
Gamaliel went into Bluebell’s room to admire himself in her long mirror. Bluebell stood behind him, a tall, cadaverous woman with short-sighted, vaguely kind eyes, hair prematurely grey and bony, long fingered hands with which she was patting her hair into place.
Gamaliel turned to her. ‘But I am a prince!’ he said. ‘The Black Prince! Was he as black as I am?’
‘No. He wore black armour, that is all.’
‘Black is beautiful, don’t you think?’
‘I think so. In a little while we shall find out what my grandmother thinks.’
‘Oh, she will like me. Everybody does.’
‘How fortunate you are!’
‘What shall I call her?’
‘Mrs Leyden, unless she suggests anything else.’
Her long hands fluttered about his bow tie. ‘And remember not to scrape your plate. It isn’t done in the best circles.’
‘Yes, I must make a good impression. Do you think this jacket suits me? It is tight across the shoulders.’
‘It makes you look very distinguished.’
‘Do I bow or shake hands?’
‘Bow first and then see how things go.’
‘Are you a society woman?’
‘No, thank God, I am an artist.’
‘And I am the Black Prince.’
‘And you are the Black Prince, but do not get above yourself if the people at Headlands are kind to you. It is not good manners to become exuberant in public’
‘I shall remember. Do you think I shall be head boy at school next year?’
‘You know that better than I do.’
‘I think I shall. I am very popular.’ He turned to the mirror and preened himself.
Parsifal came into the room. ‘The car has come for us,’ he said. ‘You had better sit beside the chauffeur, Blue, so as not to crease your dress. We three men can squash up on the back seat. I must say it was very civil and thoughtful of your grandmamma to offer the car. Taxi hire from Truro would have been a great expense.’
‘We could have hired from Trewith in the village.’
‘His old rattle-banger? Hardly, on such an occasion. Oh, well, come along. We mustn’t keep Lunn waiting.’
‘Lunn is a great deal too big for his boots,’ said Bluebell. ‘Just because he serves a household of women, he thinks he can do as he pleases. Kindly hand me my cloak. How do you think I look?’
‘Splendid, my dear, and Gamaliel too.’
‘And,’ said Bluebell, ‘for a last word of warning, Gamaliel, remember not to criticise the food. If you do not like what you are given, say nothing, just put your knife and fork beside one another on your plate, sit back and wait for the servants to collect. And remember that everything will be served over your left shoulder, so sit up straight and do not impede the service.’
‘Are you going to be ashamed of me at table?’
‘Indeed I hope not. You have natural good manners and should succeed admirably.’
‘That is what I think,’ said Gamaliel, smiling broadly.
With the inclusion of Ruby’s Barnaby Orme-Head, the seating arrangements had suffered some changes and Fiona and Maria had decided to dispense with the seat opposite Romula’s at the lower end of the table.
‘It’s going to look so odd otherwise,
