Another bit from Rorys fictional journal: I was in the tack room yesterday, doing some routine saddle maintenance, when Frances opened the door and peeked in. Are you busy, Daddy? she said. Never too busy for you. I said, Come in. She sat down on a box and said, I did my spelling wrong at school. She said it like shed killed a man. Well, we all get things wrong sometimes. I said. Am I stupid, Daddy? she said. I put the cloth down and stood up. Who called you stupid? Ill go and see them now. Nobody did, but I am, arent I? Ill never be as clever as Bryony. You just got some spellings wrong. I said, Thats not stupid. One. she said. Just one? I said. I got all muddled and I put i where the e should be and now I feel so stupid and I bet everyone is laughing at me. Were you the only one who made a mistake? I said. No, Mark didnt get any right. she said. Oh, so youll be laughing at Mark, will you? No. Why would I do that? she said. I took her to the cottage and I showed her one of my old school books, all red ink and comments from teachers. Am I stupid? I said. No, you know everything. she said. Not everything, but I know we go to school to make our mistakes and learn from them. Do you know what Bryony says about you? She shook her head. She says you and Patrick got all the brains. Do you think theyll still let me be a teacher? said Frances. I picked her up and carried her into the yard. Youre an OConnal, angel, they dont let you do anything, you just do whatever you want. But yes, they always want clever teachers like you. Are you still proud of me? she said. Youre my treasure and my angel and I will always be proud of you. I said. Bryony came hurrying over to us. There you are! Daddy, Frances vanished when we were just going to have cake. She got nine out of ten in a spelling test and Mummy said we should celebrate with cream cakes and Im not allowed to eat mine until she comes back to have hers. Is there one for me? I said. Yes, said Bryony, But Mummy said we wouldnt wait until you could be dragged away from the stables. Well, Im coming with you and I might have a word with Mummy. I said. Shell only kiss you and make you go all silly over her. said Frances. Its a risk Im willing to take. I said. Bryony looked at me seriously for a moment and then said, Should I be Prime Minister? I think its best if you dont. I said. She nodded. Id have to live with Nick Clegg, wouldnt I? I dont think he lives with the Prime Minister. I said. Im going to be a teacher. said Frances, And when theres a spider, Im going to catch it and put it outside and Ill make boys wash their hands and I might have a plant on my desk. I thought you were going to be an archaeologist. I said to Bryony. Oh, I am, but sometimes it rains and you cant do any digging. And you thought running the country would be a nice time-filler? I said. I just think Id be good at it. said Bryony, Uncle Ravensmoore says Id make a good benevolent dictator. Whats benevolent? Is that when you dont eat meat? said Frances. No, thats vegetarian. I said. Mummy calls it ... Bryony began. Yes, there are lots of words for it. I said, Benevolent means kind. And dictator means bossyboots. said Bryony. Pretty much, yes. I said. She smiled. I would be really good at that. Do you think Ill be a good teacher? said Frances to her adored big sister. Bryony smiled. Of course you will! Youre just a little kid and you know nearly everything already. I got one word wrong. said Frances quietly. Thats good. said Bryony, You can get ten right next time and we might get cakes again. Spoken like a true politician. I said.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 19:22:07 +0000
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