Sky Pirates

Chapter 26

Throughout luncheon, Mildred remained silent. When Lorain started her insipid questions, she simply ignored the tutor. Mr. Wickliffe, ever the peacemaker, took control of the conversation.

"Did I hear you correctly in the yard, Cole? You want to become an inventor?"

Cole, usually the one to remain silent by filling his mouth with food so he couldn't politely talk, said through his stuffed mouth: "Oh, yes. You know, Mr. Wickliffe." The boy swallowed hard. "I keep trying to build things, to take things apart and put them back together, but find that I'm always at a loss. It's as if, I don't know..."

"Yes," Mr. Wickliffe encouraged.

"Well, something goes askew in my mind, and I just can't manage."

"There are many things that can be learned, Cole. Perhaps, you could take an engineering track at university."

Everyone else in the room fell silent. The serving girl, who was making the rounds of the table with the fish course, stopped in her tracks and stared at the vicar, aghast at his sudden lack of insensitivity.

Lorain cleared her throat, but didn't speak.

"What have I said?" asked Mr. Wickliffe.

"I failed the exams," said Cole, his chin dropped low to his chest. "I've never been very good with books."

"Nonsense. Every young man who is well brought up, which you obviously have been, can master anything they attempt. It simply takes a little time and effort." He chose a piece of fish from the platter the girl held close to him. The beady eyes of the fishes staring at him, mimicked the treatment the humans in the room had just offered. "You know, I think it's simply because you haven't been passionate about the things you've studied. No offense meant to you, Miss Canton."

"Humph," escaped from Lorain's tight lips.

"Really, no offense. What I mean to say is that many boys don't do well at their studies until they discover what most interests them. There was a member in my last congregation who was a wonderful inventor and builder. He's the man who built my wonderful horse. Now, I'm certain that if I were to ask him, he'd be willing to offer you some advice. Perhaps, a list of books to read or maybe the two of you could visit for a bit."

"You would do that for me?" asked Cole. It was the brightest anyone had ever seen the young man.

"Mr. Wickliffe, if Cole's to take on a new line of study, don't you think we should get his uncle's approval?" Lorain's face was red.

"Of course, of course. Although, I should tell you that Mr. Parker, in his letter offering me his vicarage, also asked that I spend some time with his children and be of whatever assistance I might be. So, that is all I'm doing, fulfilling my duty to my patron." There was no malice in his voice. He spoke evenly and with a preacher's kind conviction.

Despite Mildred's feelings about the murdered bees, she couldn't help but smile at Mr. Wickliffe for once again putting Lorain in her place. She contemplated what it was about the vicar, about his tone or style that allowed him to take over any conversation. And, like the parting of clouds that allows sunshine to bathe a meadow, Mildred realized and understood. He was a man. Just that plain and simple. He was a man and, without another adult man in the room, he took over, took the authoritative tone. While Cole might be the age of a grown man, he had reached his majority to be sure, her brother, and she did love him dearly, was still only a boy. Here, Vicar Wickliffe arrives and is, just through the nature of being, a man who can command a room. And, more importantly, the room has easily, comfortably, allowed itself to be commanded.

"It's good to see you feeling a little better, Miss Greene," said Mr. Wickliffe as he sucked the last of the flesh off of a large fish bone.

"Well, I'm still concerned about my bees. I don't want them murdered."

"Bees? Murder? What story telling are you about, Millie?" asked Lorain.

Mildred didn't even know how to begin telling the story once more. Just the thought of it all brought tears to her eyes once again.

Mr. Wickliffe interceded on her behalf: "Mildred learned some sad, but real facts about animal husbandry this morning; she's rather upset."

"I see," said Lorain, still oblivious to her young charge's problem.

"Mr. Wickliffe, there must be a better way. A more humane way to care for our bees and reap the benefits of their talents. Although, I've come to a decision that we will no longer partake of any honey in the Parker home until a solution is arrived at."

"What are you talking about, Millie. We will not go without honey!" exclaimed Lorain.

"Miss Canton, that's my decision and as lady of this house it is also my decree." Mildred raised her eyes toward Lorain.

The tutor's eyes were stern and to be feared. "As you wish, Miss Greene," said Lorain.

"Perhaps, Mr. Wickliffe?"

"Yes, my dear?"

"Perhaps, when you write to your engineer friend you might ask if he could create some new apiary design?"

"I'm quite happy to oblige you, Miss Greene."

"Mr. Wickliffe, Itold you yesterday, you must call me Mildred."

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