Bone Street/Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
A DAY’S PLEASURE
Afew weeks’ work enabled Jack to renew his workaday clothes, and left him with a surplus for pocket money, but when one has faced hard times to the extent Jack had, very little pocket money is spent, most of it is carefully saved for fear hard times should come.
Immediately after securing work, Jack wrote the Hamptons informing them that he was back amongst friends. The letter was answered by return of post, and a regular correspondence kept up. Several times they wrote pressing him to visit them, but although Jack hoped it might be possible some time, it was out of the range of possibility as yet.
Many times he had talked to Marthalice about them, and one Sunday evening when the family were all gathered together, he was drawn into giving a description of life at sea. Everyone present (with the exception of Marthalice) sat silent and spellbound. She, of course, interjected many times with a very pointed exclamation.
The story told, the girls especially showed in no uncertain way their interest, particularly in the galley and his efforts as cook.
“Oh,” said Ruth, “wouldn’t I love to look round a ship.”
The others acquiesced.
This gave Jack an idea. “Well, what do you say about us all having a day there? There are trips run every fortnight and it’s only three shillings and sixpence each. The train leaves Beckton at eight in the morning, arriving at Hull by eleven o’clock, and doesn’t leave Hull until eight-thirty at night, so that would give us a good chance to look round.”
The girls were just wild about it, but Marthalice was rather doubtful as to whether she could spare the time. The girls danced round her, telling her they would help beforehand, if only she would go. After considerable coaxing she finally consented to be one of the party. Albert would manage without applying for time off, as he was still working on the night turn, although it would mean the loss of his rest, but, as he said, “I’ll manage without sleep for once, to look round a ship.”
Jack quickly wrote to Mrs. Hampton, informing her they were all coming for the day, and received a reply expressing her joy at seeing them all.
The third Saturday in July was the date decided on, and when on that eventful day Jack arrived at Bone Street at 6.30 a.m. they were all bustling about in a feverish happy anxiety to get ready in good time. There is something very enjoyable about a large family preparing for a day trip, keeping a remarkable good humour all the time, and for ever getting in each other’s way. However, when Albert arrived from the night turn at seven they were all dressed in their Sunday best, and ready.
Marthalice had a basket laden with sandwiches and pastries, while several bottles of home-made herb beer were stowed away in another basket. This was to eat and drink on the journey, for it would be almost noon when they arrived, and Marthalice having more than a superficial knowledge of their appetites decided they should not go hungry.
So finally after a lot of “Make haste, mother, or we’ll miss the train,” when there was really more than ample time, they set off for the station, which was a quarter of a mile away. Arriving at the station in good time they sat in the waiting-room asking Jack so many questions he didn’t know quite how to reply, but eventually the train came. Fortunately they secured a compartment to themselves, and after much arranging and rearranging finally settled down, food and bottles of “pop” all safely on the rack. Marthalice had not been in a train for years, and most of the party had never previously experienced a long train ride. Poor mother was continually having to tell Polly to be careful. “Nah, wilt ta come away from that window? Bless mi life and soul t’lass ul be out in a minute!”
Soon the train steamed out of the station, the company settling down for their three-hours’ ride, but there was never a dull moment from their departure to arrival. They sang—oh, how they sang! “Cock Robin,” the companion of all youthful railway crowds, came first, followed by all the popular music-hall songs, after which an interval of riddles, then more singing. A couple of hours on the journey they all felt hungry, and in response to the oft-repeated enquiries of Polly as to “Can I have a sandwich, mam?” the food basket was brought down, and never was a picnic more enjoyed. Ham sandwiches, currant cakes and jam tarts followed each other till not a scrap was left. Food eaten, “pop” all drunk, then nothing would satisfy but that Jack should again tell all his adventures. “Shall we be able to go on a trawler?” they asked, and then Jack let them into a secret. Mrs. Hampton had written him informing him that the “Wild Boar” was expected on the midnight tide, and would probably be docked a few days in preparation for sailing on the following Monday.
“Oh, won’t that be champion!” said the girls; “shall we see your galley?”
“You’ll see it all,” replied Jack, smiling, “that is if you are good girls.”
Of course he had to be smacked for that, and after much scuffling, apologised.
Soon the Humber came in view, and for a few miles the track ran alongside the river, which resulted in that side being packed with the party—Jack feeling quite important standing at the back pointing out the places of interest. Shortly afterwards they were passing through the town, which intimated their journey was almost at an end.
Hull was reached about a quarter of an hour late, and Jack could see the big form of Ned Hampton looming foremost at the barrier. Jumping out of the carriage he was soon shaking hands, and introducing the crowd. The good fellow was obviously delighted to meet Jack again, while Marthalice made him blush through his tan by thanking him for befriending Jack through a difficult time. Soon they were making their way towards dinner, for Ned informed them they must proceed at once, as Mrs. Hampton had dinner waiting their arrival.
Upon arrival Mrs. Hampton immediately hugged Jack, not even waiting to be introduced to the other visitors. That action immediately won Marthalice, and soon the two women were the best of friends. Woman-like, Marthalice insisted on donning an apron, saying, “She could nivver bide being waited on.” So she was allowed to take a part in serving out the huge, steaming-hot sea-pie. Marthalice and her brood had never either seen or tasted a sea-pie before, but they certainly ate it with considerable relish, for not a particle was left. Then, of course, the teapot was brought out.
A desire to visit the docks was soon expressed, and nothing would satisfy the girls but that Jack should take them round. They tried hard to coax Marthalice to go, but she would have none of it. “Away wi’ ye,” she said, “t’oud folks’ll stop an’ enjoy a rest. Be off wi’ ye, I’ve hed enough of yer nattering in t’train.” So away they went to visit the fish docks, leaving Marthalice with the Hamptons.
Arriving at the docks Jack was anxious to find if the “Wild Boar” was really in dock. He carefully scrutinised the funnels for the familiar yellow with a red star, and he soon recognised her tied up waiting to be loaded with the stores.
The girls were chattering to each other in the broadest of West Riding dialect as Jack led them up the gangway. The watchman sat on deck smoking his sooty pipe, which he removed to ask:
“What do ye want?”
“Oh, just to look round,” answered Jack.
“No visitors allowed,” said the old chap, at the same time ostentatiously cutting up a piece of pigtail twist about half an inch long.
Jack took the hint and dropping a sixpence in his hand said, “I was cook aboard this trawler for nearly a year, and I wish to take these folks round.”
“Cook was ye? Oh well, that does make a difference; show ’em round,” he said. “I’m off for some bacca.”
And soon there was such a chattering as had never previously been heard on the old “Wild Boar.” They visited every nook and corner on board, engine-room, hold, fo’castle and cabin. They examined the galley, the elder girls fancying their chance as cook. Suddenly they were hailed from the shore.
“Ahoy there!” came the cry, and looking overboard Jack saw his old skipper, Black Jack.
“Aye, aye,” Jack replied in the approved style.
“Why, da—dash me,” exclaimed the skipper, altering his language on account of the presence of the girls. “I’m blowed if it isn’t the doctor. How the he—hamlet are you?” He came aboard at a run, and seizing Jack’s hand shook it heartily.
Jack was delighted to see him once again. He introduced them all round, at the same time telling the skipper how they came to be there, and of course the girls were also interested in this grand toiler of the sea. He then had to pilot them round, and finishing up in the cabin, the skipper asked, “What about having tea here?”
The girls, delighted, clapped their hands, exclaiming, “Oh yes, please.” So he turned to Jack, saying in his best bridge manner, “Stooard, I’m going to take these people round the docks, have tea ready for five o’clock, you’ve three hours, there’s plenty of stores aboard except bread, and that you can buy.” So winking at the girls, away he went with them all following him.
Jack insisted that Albert should stay and take his share of the work, so for a moment they watched the others making their way along the dock, then turning to each other laughed till the tears ran down their cheeks.
Albert entered into the spirit of the fun, and touching his hat said, “Aye, aye, sir”—on which Jack instructed him to go and inform his mother and the Hamptons they would not be home for tea, then to report back.
“What about bread?” Albert asked.
“That’s all right,” said Jack, “off with you, leave the bread to me.” He had seen some flour and yeast below, and knowing where to get coal, raked out the galley fireplace, and immediately got a fire going. This done he commenced to bake bread, for he intended them to have oven-bottom cakes and roasted cheese for tea. The water was soon hot, and the dough almost kneaded when Albert returned, accompanied by Marthalice. She walked slowly up the gangway, and observing Jack with his shirt sleeves rolled up, and his arms all floury, stood and laughed until Jack was afraid she would choke. “Well, I nivver did,” she said, “whativver is t’lad doing?”
But the lad was enjoying himself immensely, and finishing the kneading with a final pat, said, “Now just you sit down, and watch me prepare tea.” But no. She wanted to see where the lad used to sleep, and where they kept the fish. So Albert must perforce show her round, while Jack continued making preparations for tea.
It was really funny to see the expression on the face of Marthalice when she saw Jack setting out the tiny cabin for tea. The cakes were baked and cooling, the cheese was cooking nicely, and the coffee was gently simmering. Soon a chattering was heard, mingled with the gruff voice of the skipper, and shortly they were all seated down below; the elder ones sat at the table, while the others squatted down in various positions on the floor or in the state-room. And wasn’t that tea appreciated! never before had the good ship entertained such a company. They complimented Jack on his ability as cook, which was endorsed by the skipper. The girls teased him, saying he would some day make someone a good wife, and that party always remembered pleasurably the impromptu meal on board the “Wild Boar.” Marthalice praised his baking, which induced the skipper to repeat the story of the jam tarts, setting the whole company in uproarious laughter. Soon the skipper was drawn into reminiscences of his adventures in the North Sea, and never had he more attentive listeners. Tales of storm and shipwrecks, of lives lost on the famous Dogger Bank. They hung on to his words spellbound, but time the enemy was slipping on, and the company reluctantly took their departure, thanking the skipper for his kindness. Shaking them all by the hand, he assured them that the pleasure had been equally his, and warmly bidding Jack good day remarked that there was always a berth for him if ever he decided again to go to sea.
Down the gangway they went, waving their hands to the skipper, who was awaiting the return of the watchman.
Marthalice returned to the Hamptons, but the younger ones desired to see as much as possible, so Jack piloted them round the town, showing them the statue of Wilberforce, the great man who fought for the liberation of chattel slaves. They joined the throng on the pier, gazing across the wide expanse of water, over to New Holland, but soon they too were feeling tired, and in need of a rest, so wending their way back to the Hamptons they rested awhile before setting off for the station.
Arriving at the station in good time, they were again fortunate in securing a carriage to themselves. They bid the Hamptons good-bye at the barrier, these good people promising to make a return visit some day.
The party were soon travelling home, after a most enjoyable day, but they were tired when at midnight the train disgorged them and others at Beckton, Marthalice remarking that she expected they would all want to “lay in” till dinner-time next day, meaning that they would want to stop in bed till that time, which was done by almost every member of the party, the next day being spent quietly at home resting. Needless to say, Jack spent the Sunday with them, and the day was passed reviewing the events of the previous day, for the actual visit to the trawler where Jack had spent so many months of his life, necessarily meant him again repeating some of his experiences, which were now listened to with added interest, as they now understood so much better what life would be like on a trawler.
They agreed unanimously that never had they so enjoyed a day, and Jack learned later in life that many a more expensive holiday could be less enjoyable. For whatever future holidays we may have, never again do we get just the same keen enjoyment as we do on the first occasion we abandon work, and spend our meagre savings in pleasure-seeking.