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The Unexpected Arrival Home of our Son, Willie Lupin Pooter.
August 4.--The first post brought a nice letter from our dear son Willie.
August 5, Sunday.--We have not seen Willie since last Christmas, and are pleased to notice what a fine young man he has become. One would scarcely believe he was Carrie's son. He looks more like a younger brother.
I rather disapprove of his wearing a check suit on a Sunday. I also think he ought to have gone to church this morning; but he said he was tired after yesterday's journey, so I refrained from any remark on the subject. We had a bottle of port for dinner, and drank dear Willie's health.
He said: ‘Did I tell you I've cut my first name? I now use my second name, 'Lupin'. In fact, I'm only known at Oldham as "Lupin Pooter." ''
Of course, Carrie was delighted because Lupin was her family name. I said, ‘But William is a nice simple name. And you were named after your Uncle William. He was much respected in the City. ‘
Willie laughed and said: ‘Oh, I know all about that! Good old Bill!’. Then he helped himself to a third glass of port. I said: My dear Willie, I hope you are happy with your colleagues at the Bank.’
He replied: ‘Call me Lupin, please. And no I’m not happy with those fellows at the bank. They’re not gentlemen.’
I felt so shocked, I could say nothing. My instinct told me there was something wrong.
August 6, Bank Holiday.-- As there was no sign of Lupin moving at nine o'clock, I knocked at his door. I said we usually breakfasted at half-past eight, and asked how long would he be? Lupin replied that he had had not slept well. ‘There were trains shaking the house all night,’ he complained, ‘and then the sun came in through the window and into my eyes. It’s given me a terrible headache.’ Carrie came up and asked if he would like some breakfast sent up. ‘I’d like a cup of tea,’ he said. ‘But I don’t want anything to eat.’ Lupin didn’t come down all morning. I went up again at half-past one. ‘Dinner is at two,’ I told him. He said he ‘would be there’ but did not come down until quarter to three.
I said: ‘We have not seen much of you, and you will have to return by the 5.30 train. You will have to leave in an hour, unless you go by the midnight mail.’ He said: ‘Look here, old man, it's no use beating about the bush. I've handed in my resignation at the Bank.’
For a moment I could not speak. When my speech came again, I said: ‘How dare you, sir? How dare you take such a serious step without consulting me? Sit down immediately, and write a letter withdrawing your resignation.’
He replied with a loud laugh: ‘I’m afraid that’s not possible. The truth is that they gave me the sack!’
August 11.— The manager of the Bank at Oldham has replied to my letter. It seems that Lupin was asked to resign from the Bank simply because ‘he took no interest in his work, and always arrived an hour (sometimes two hours) late.’
On Monday we are all going to the seaside at Broadstairs. A holiday will take my mind off the worry of the last few days.
August 13.--Hurrah! We have arrived at Broadstairs. Very nice apartments near the station. With a sea view they would have been double the price. The landlady had a nice five o'clock dinner and tea ready. We all enjoyed it though Lupin complained because there happened to be a fly in the butter.
It was very wet in the evening, which gave me a good excuse for going to bed early. Lupin said he would sit up and read a bit.
August 14.--I was a little annoyed to find that Lupin went out after we went to bed. Instead of Reading, he had gone to a show at the Assembly Rooms. I expressed my opinion that such performances were not for respectable people; but he replied: ‘Oh, it was Polly Presswell – ‘for one night only.'‘
I said, ‘Polly who? I’ve never heard of her.’
Carrie said: ‘Do leave the boy alone. He's old enough to take care of himself, and won't forget he's a gentleman. Remember, you were young once yourself.’
It rained all day. Only Lupin went out.
August 15.—The weather cleared up a bit, so we all took the train to Margate. The first person we met there was Gowing. I said: ‘Hullo! I thought you had gone to Bournemouth with your Birmingham friends?’
He said: ‘No, they postponed their visit, so I came down here. You know the Cummings are here too?’
Carrie said: ‘Oh that will be delightful! We must have some evenings together and have games.’
I introduced Lupin, saying: ‘You will be pleased to find we have our dear boy at home!’
Gowing said: ‘How's that? Has he left the Bank?’
I changed the subject quickly. Gowing had a habit of asking awkward questions.
August 16.--Lupin refused to walk down the Parade with me because I was wearing my new straw hat.
August 18.--Gowing and Cummings walked over to arrange an evening at Margate. It was wet so Gowing said to Cummings, ‘How about a game of billiards?’
‘No, I must get back to Margate,’ said Cummings.
I said nothing. Gowing knows that I do not think billiards is a game for gentlemen.
Then Lupin, to my horror, said: ‘I'll give you a game, Gowing. A walk round I the billiard table will give me an appetite for dinner.’
I said: ‘I am sure that Mr Gowing does play with boys.’
Gowing surprised me by saying: ‘Oh yes, I do, if they play well,’ and they walked off together.
August 19, Sunday.--I was about to admonish Lupin about his smoking and billiards, but he put on his hat and walked out. Carrie admonished ME about treating Lupin as if he were a child. I felt she was somewhat right, so in the evening I offered him a cigar. He seemed pleased, but said: ‘Try one of mine.’ Then he handed me a cigar as long as it was strong, which is saying a good deal.
August 20.--Our last day at the seaside was fine, though cloudy. We went over to Cummings' (at Margate) in the evening. As it was cold, we stayed in and played games.
Gowing suggested playing ‘Cutlets,’ a game we had never heard of. He sat on a chair, and asked Carrie to sit on his lap. Carrie politely declined this invitation. After a long discussion, I sat on Gowing's knees and Carrie sat on the edge of mine. Lupin sat on the edge of Carrie's lap, then Cummings on Lupin's, and Mrs. Cummings on her husband's. We looked ridiculous, and laughed a good deal. Gowing then said: ‘Are you a believer in the Great Mogul?’
We had to answer all together: ‘Yes - oh, yes!’
Gowing said: ‘So am I,’ and suddenly got up. The result of this stupid joke was that we all fell on the ground. Poor Carrie hurt her head against the corner of the fire. Mrs. Cummings put some vinegar on; but through this we missed the last train. We then had to take a taxi back to Broadstairs, which cost me a small fortune.
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