The pool of St Branok

In fact, there was something very likable about all the Pencarrons.

Luncheon was served in the dining room which they used for a few guests; if there was a large company they would eat in the great hall— according to the old custom. But for this occasion it was, of course, the dining room—a beautifully proportioned room with high ceiling and wall tapestries which Josiah had bought with the house.

Conversation turned to my coming out.

"I shall go up to London," I told them, "and be put through my paces. I believe one has to learn how to curtsy and walk backwards. There is a great deal to learn and I don't know how long one is with Her Majesty. A matter of seconds I suppose. You curtsy ... and that is it. You pass on and it is 'Next, please.' And for all that you have to have a special court dress and feathers and learn how to keep them steady and how to smile in the most genteel manner. You must not lose your balance when you curtsy. In fact, you must not make one mistake. Well ... there wouldn't be much time to, I suppose."

"So you are to be presented to the Queen!" said Mrs. Pencarron in an awed voice. "My word, that's something to be proud of."

"I'm not sure how I feel about it."

"Oh, go on with you," said Mrs. Pencarron. "I reckon it's a great honor, wouldn't you, Jos?"

"I would that," replied Josiah. "And that's what's going to happen to you. Well, I never."

They were interested to hear more about it. I told them all I knew which was not much, but they kept plying me with questions.

Josiah was looking at his daughter with loving pride.

"What do you say, Mother? I reckon our Morwenna would look a real treat in a court dress and feathers."

Grace said: "I believe it is quite a sight to see all the carriages lined up in the street on their way to the Palace. Who will present you, Angelet?"

"I think it will probably be Helena. She has already been presented so she knows how to go on and then of course she is the wife of a prominent member of Parliament ... and the mother of a hero ..." My voice faltered a little as it always did when I mentioned Jonnie.

"I reckon it has to be someone like that," said Mrs. Pencarron regretfully.

"It doesn't have to be a relation," said Grace. "Of course it's a costly matter ... but they seem to think it is what every girl needs to launch her into society."

"I'd like to see our Morwenna there."

"Oh no, Pa," said Morwenna quickly. "It wouldn't do for me."

"And why not indeed?" Josiah was the important business man suddenly, bristling at the notion that there was something his little girl was not good enough to take part in.

"Do you really mean ..." began Grace. "Do you really mean that you would like Morwenna to be presented at court?"

"Would that be allowed?" asked Mrs. Pencarron.

Grace smiled. "I shouldn't think there would be any difficulty. You are doing good work down here ... employing large numbers of men. You don't have to be related to the presenter. I can see no reason why, if you wanted it, Morwenna and Angelet should not be presented together."

Grace was looking at me and I was thinking what fun it would be to have Morwenna share in this ordeal with me. She was a very pleasant girl and I was fond of her. She might be a little dull; she always agreed with everything I said, but she was straightforward and reliable; and when people were as nice as Morwenna was, one should be prepared to put up with a little boredom.

"It would be lovely," I said. "We'd go into it together. Helena could take us both under her wing."

Morwenna was looking alarmed.

"Well, I never did!" said Josiah.

"Would you like us to make inquiries?" I asked.

"I'd be that grateful. Think of it, Mother. Our little girl going to see the Queen."

They talked of nothing else for the rest of the meal: what dresses would be needed; what we should have to learn to do.

"It will be fun," I said, to cheer a worried Morwenna. "We will do it together."

"Then, of course, there is the season," Grace reminded us. "Balls and parties and things," I added.

The Pencarron parents exchanged excited glances. I could see that they felt this was hardly within their scope.

"It will all be in London," I said. "I shall probably be staying with Uncle Peter and Aunt Amaryllis. My mother will surely be there. I might stay at Helena's. Morwenna could be with me."

Josiah could think of nothing to say to this glittering prospect and fell back on: "Well, I never did."

When we rode home, Grace said: "The seed is sown. It wouldn't surprise me at all if Morwenna went with you to London." "I hope she does."

"I can hardly think she will be the debutante of the season. The poor girl is a little gauche."

"Well, she has lived her life in the country. I don't think she is as happy at the prospect as her parents are." "She has to do the hard work while they bask in the glory." "I'm not sure that it is such a good idea. I am not eager and Morwenna is far more retiring than I am."

"Perhaps we shall hear no more of it."