“Yes, sir. Right away, sir .”
Tommy ran up the stairs to the living quarters, retrieved two coal buckets by the fire grate and ran down to the cellar. He shoveled coal into the buckets, and lifting with all his might he trudged up the cellar stairs. But as he neared the top, his foot caught on a stair tread and he tumbled backwards .
A short while later the Misses shouted down through a tube the butcher had installed for communication. “Where is that bloody coal? I am freezing my bleedin’ fingers off up here .”
“I sent the scamp to get it. Let me see .”
The butcher went to the cellar door, opened it, and looked down into the dark below. He started walking down the stairs when his foot hit a bucket and it toppled backwards, spilling its load of coal .
“Damnation…” the butcher swore. He started down the stairs and came upon Tommy sprawled out on the floor his arm flung across his face .
“Double damnation…” the butcher said as he picked Tommy up in his arms. He rushed up the stairs and went to the family quarters where he deposited Tommy on an old beat up sofa .
The Misses came over and glared down at the unconscious boy. “What is this all about, then? Where’s my bleedin’ coal ?
The butcher turned to his wife and said, “Go get your own bleedin’ coal. Can you not see the lad was injured getting your damn coal ?”
“The Misses backed away, mumbling and wiping her hands on her apron .
The butcher turned back to Tommy whose eyes were just now flickering open .
“Tommy, lad. How be ye ?”
Tommy tried sitting up but was woozy and didn’t make it beyond resting on his elbows .
“What happened?” He looked around. “Am I dead and in heaven ?”
The butcher laughed. “If ye think this be heaven, you be plumb barmy. You took a tumble down the cellar stairs getting coal for the Misses .”
Tommy was finally able to sit up and he examined his arms and legs for scratches and bruises .
Tommy only had one thing on his mind—the tripe for Christmas dinner. And he was not about to let, what he perceived to be, a small accident prevent him from that goal .
“Sir, I need to go back down. You asked for coal. You will get your coal .”
“Now, that’s more like it,” the Misses said, crossing her arms over her ample bosom .
The butcher was surprised by the lad’s pluck .
“But are you certain you are able to do that ?”
“Yes, sir. It will just take a moment. Sorry for the delay .”
Tommy did not want to waste any time, and he hobbled from the rooms down again to the cellar. He could tell he would show bruises and his left knee was scraped, but he also knew he was not seriously injured .
Diana checked the clock and put down her pen. She would need to work on this later. This was an important day. It was time to escort her father and Adam to the solicitors to sign the papers for the leasehold .
As she prepared herself to leave, she heard knocking at the front door. It was, undoubtedly, Adam. He always tended to be a little early. She hoped her father would answer the door. But the knocking continued, so she went to answer it herself .
She opened the door to find a gentleman she did not know .
“Is this the home of Professor George Browning ?”
“Yes, it is .”
“Is he available ?”
“Might I ask who is calling?” she inquired .
“I am Sir Desmond Gallagher in service of Her Majesty the Queen. Might I speak to the professor personally ?”
“Yes, of course, please come in .”
She led him to the sitting-room .
“I will fetch him immediately .”
“Thank you .”
“Make yourself comfortable. He will be right with you .”
Diana raced upstairs and knocked on her father’s study door and went inside .
“Are we ready to leave for the solicitors?” he asked .
“No, Father,” she said, both excited and flustered. “There is a gentleman who asks to see you .”
“A gentleman ?”
“His name is Sir Desmond Gallagher and he says he is from Her Majesty .
Father looked at her not comprehending. “The Queen? Our Queen? Victoria ?”
“Yes, Father .”
“Oh, my. I hope she doesn’t want to lop off my head .”
Diana laughed. “Oh, Father. You know that could not be the case .”
“Well, one never knows. Perhaps I published something seditious without realizing it .”
“Well, there is certainly one way to find out. Come .”
She offered her hand, he took it, and they went down to the sitting-room and entered to find Sir Desmond examining one of her father’s books .
“I believe I read this at university,” Sir Desmond said. “And you are Professor Browning ?”
“Yes, I am. And how may I assist you ?”
The gentleman placed the book back on the shelf and continued, “I am Sir Desmond Gallagher, emissary from her Majesty Queen Victoria .”
“Emissary, then you must have a message for me ?”
“I do.” He pulled a large envelope from a case that he carried. “Her Majesty wishes to inform you that she has chosen to bestow upon you the Order of Merit for your scholastic excellence and to honor the range, breadth, and contribution of your published works. Congratulations, Professor .”
Her father was speechless, so Diana stepped forward .
“He is overcome with emotion by the honor. Might I accept the envelope for him ?”
“Of course. And we will be contacting him shortly with the details of the investiture .”
The meeting was interrupted by knocking at the front door. Diana realized that must be Adam. She quickly checked the clock and saw that their appointment at the solicitors was in just thirty minutes .
“Sir Desmond, I must answer the door, but might we offer you a glass of sherry ?”
“That would be lovely .”
Diana turned to her father. “That must be Adam. Will you please pour a sherry for Sir Desmond ?”
Father seemed to regain his wits. “Certainly .”
Diana dashed out of the sitting-room and went to the door .
Adam was standing smiling at her. “Are we ready to go? I have the necessary documents from my father for the loan .”
“Come with me.” Diana reached over and grabbed Adam’s arm and led him toward the gallery .
“What?”
They burst into the gallery and Diana cried out. “Mother, come. It is very important .”
Mother stood up at her easel. “Is something wrong with your father?” she asked anxiously .
“Not at all. But come with me. Both of you .”
Diana ran breathlessly ahead to the sitting-room with them following behind .
She proudly announced, “Father has just been awarded the OM. Is that not splendid ?”
*
A s toasts of sherry were being offered, Diana turned to her father and whispered, “Father, the solicitors. We are already running late .”
“Oh, yes. That must be attended to immediately.” He turned to Sir Desmond. “You must excuse us but we have a most urgent appointment we must attend to. Can you forgive us for dashing off ?”
“Of course. Are you all leaving ?”
“All except for my wife, Ann .”