…and no Albert. Never mind; the log fire is burning merrily, the candles are ready to light, Cook Old’s amazing table is completely hidden beneath all kinds of culinary delights. The hounds are on the rug in front of the fire, and all I have to do is dress.
Much Victorian dress is a little too buttoned-up for me; I have therefore elected to appear as Ellen Terry when she played Lady Macbeth. Perhaps a little altered here and there, and no real beetle wings, I must say, but green does rather suit me….
Lawnder Hall, Much Grumbling in the Wolds 
Godiva! Darling, you look absolutely marvellous! A distinct look of the Ellen Terry’s if I’m not mistaken…
You really do look wonderful, Godiva! Oh, and the food – Cook Old really has excelled herself for this evening – please pass on my compliments. I trust we’ll see her later though?
Are we the first to arrive? I thought you’d said 7.30 and I was worried that we might be a little late arriving…
Hello darlings, wonderful to see you both. Oh, well-spotted, Bramble – it is indeed an homage to the rather wonderful Miss Terry. And yes, Rosie, I have a feeling that although this is not a masked ball, Cook Old may well be appearing – uh – well, rather incognito. Although I suspect you may be able to spot her…
I’d recognise her voice if nothing else!
The Hall is so beautifully decorated – a tour de force. I suspect Maddie’s had a hand in all the evergreens and the massive logs on the fire. The massed candles give such a beautiful light, don’t they Rosie?
I love candlelight – it’s rather flattering apart from anything else..
Excuse me madam, may I take the guests’ coats? And I’d be happy to get your drinks, Sir and Madam?
Oh, thank you Spantrey. I’ll have a glass of that mulled wine – it smells wonderful!
I’ll have the same please Spantrey.
OOh, lovely and warming – just what we needed on a cold night. It’s bitter outside tonight, Godiva. Wonderfully warm in here though..
Bramble! You’ve finished your glass already! Really!
Rosie, it’s there to be drunk, and I think Bramble’s just showing his appreciation. I’m glad you’re warm enough – and both of you look quite marvellous too. Though I’d have expected nothing less, of course!
Let me refresh your glass, sir
Thank you Spantrey
The mulled wine may be here to be drunk but Bramble isn’t!
Good evening, everyone! Sorry I’m a little late – can’t stride out in this garb, you have to take tiny steps! Oh and isn’t the place a picture – you’ve outdone yourself as usual, Godiva. 🙂
Ooh yes, some mulled wine would be lovely, thank you. I do like the fruity fragrance – almost as much as the taste! Did they have mulled wine in Victorian times? I imagine they did, it seems a very traditional flavour with all those spices.
You look delightful, Lissa! I feel I must kiss your hand, at least..
Why Bramble, you certainly know the art of chivalry! A demeanor to match your elegant outfit! It’s enough to set a girl aflutter [giggles girlishly?] – I only wish I’d thought to bring a fan to hide my blushes, but I was rather more concerned with keeping warm. I should have known there’d be a roaring fire in the grate.
They almost certainly did have it then – because of the German royal family apart from anything else. Maybe even in mediaeval times too. Anyone know?
Of course yes, the glüwein[sp?] influence!
Lissa dear! You look lovely in that dress. They do hobble one a bit, don’t they?
Good Evening everybody – I’m so sorry to be so late. Sheila and her husband very kindly offered me a lift, and there was a little trouble with the car.
Good evening, Sylvie. You’re quite bewitching in that lovely dress..
Why, Thank You, Bramble. I was quite pleased that no-one else wanted the plum coloured dress. It is a bit of a performance to put on, but it feels so elegant once everything’s fastened.
You are looking very handsome tonight, I must say – in fact everyone has clearly taken a lot of trouble over their outfits – and come up with such a wide interpretation of the Victorians theme.
Hello Sylvie! You must try the mulled wine – it’s delicious!
Mulled wine would be just the thing, Rosie – it was beginning to get a bit chilly out in the stationary car.
Oh dear, I’m so sorry, it’s our fault. Some mechanical problem that brought us to a grinding halt just outside the gates. It took Mr Clarke a little while to get it sorted, but we have finallymade it. I hope we haven’t missed too much of the fun.
Evening, Sheila! Cold out isn’t it? Get stuck in to the mulled wine – lovely!
Thank you, Mr Bramble. Mr Clarke is just getting some for us.
But well done, you made it, all of you. Good to see you!
Hello! … Ooohh, yes please, Spantrey!
Sorry I’m late everybody – I had to sort out a young man … and then I had a slight problem juggling my wellies with this dress… and what with keeping my dress out of the mud, carrying my shoes and trying to keep these roses on my head, I’m feeling rather breathless. This mulled wine is a bit of a cure-all though.
What have I missed?
Hallo Maddie – glad to see you ditched the camouflage headgear – it wouldn’t have gone with those roses at all! You look stunning my dear!
“Sort out a young man”, huh? Plus ça change… 😉
Yes, that is rather interesting, Lissa – Maddie, do tell us more?
Possibly not appropriate for an evening like this, Lady G … though the Victorians knew how to kick over the traces a lot more than we give them credit for…
Welcome, welcome, Lissa, Sylvie, Sheila – I’m sorry, I was called away by Cook Old (small kitchen crisis). Has Spantrey given you drinks and made you comfortable? And I’m so sorry to hear you had transport problems, darlings – what a bore! If it’s any trouble later, Spantrey will drive you home. Now, come and warm yourselves by this fire.
Oh and Maddie too – the roses really are very fetching!
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
Er – you all look – the same, sort of. Like Victorian…I thought fancy dress meant we was all different?
Is this indeed Ann Boleyn? I’m honoured to meet you, your Ladyship 😉
May I kiss your hand?
Good evening, haven’t we met before? Is this a favourite, er, haunt of yours?
Sir, Madam – Madam – Madam – more mulled wine? Allow me to take that empty glass, milady.
[stage whisper] Yes please, Spantrey. Just the thing for a cold winter evening.
(Loud clapping of hands) Darlings, is it time we started our entertainments? I think we should start with a recital from Maddie on the skills required to sort out a young man! (tinkling laugh)
Indeed!
Oh Ha, Lady G! Sadly I’m rather embarrassed to admit that it’s far less exciting than it sounds … and not at all Victorian. In fact, as I don’t think I have any particularly appropriate skills, I was just thinking I’d take a seat over there and appreciate the talents on offer… If you see what I mean…
Maddie! You’ve decked yourself out in the dress and the roses and you mean to say you aren’t going to offer us a party piece?
I agree with Rosie, Maddie. And I’m particularly interested to hear about this young man!
How lovely to meet you, Ann Boleyn! I believe this is the first time I’ve seen you?
Er, yes, prob’ly. Good evening. Nice frock.
(Whispered Aside)
Mr Clarke is going to do his Stanley Holloway impression when he does his ‘turn’ – it’s a god job “With Her Head Tucked UnderneathHer Arm” isn’t in period 😀
[Snigger!]
Oh no, that wouldn’t be very tactful, would it 🙂
Well, who’s to start then?
How about you, Rosie? Or Bramble?
Wasn’t it Bramble who first put the idea into our heads?
A promise of “In The Workhouse Christmas Day”, I believe, so maybe he should start the proceedings?
I agree Sylvie – let’s hear from Bramble!
Come on, Bramble, don’t be shy…
Milady, should I hand canapes and drinks before we start?
Good idea, Spantrey. And Lissa, where’s your friend Tronda? I though she was intending to join us this evening?
Yes, so did I…. I just texted her to remind her, in case she got the day mixed up, but no reply so far. She can be a bit, er, well, impulsive, the magpie instinct: if something glittery caught her eye, she’ll have been off after it. So I don’t think we should wait for her. With any luck she’ll turn up later.
Shall I start now, then?
Please do … I’m getting far too comfortable by the fire here… Ooh! That didn’t come out quite the way I meant it… please put it down to an excess of somethingorother… Oh, yes please, Spantrey!
Yes!
Yes please, Rosie, that would be good.
Well, Rosie and I thought we’d perform together. I’ll leave the room if I may, while Rosie makes her way to the lovely old Broadwood..
Lady Goodwinge, ladies and gentlemen!
Accompanied by my Dear Husband, playing the old harmonium in the Rear Hall, (I think you will just hear him) I would like to play to you, and sing, “The Lost Chord”.
This moving poem was written by Miss Adelaide Anne Proctor and was set to music by Sir Arthur Sullivan.
Will you please pass around the song sheets, so that you may all appreciate the beautiful words of Miss Proctor’s poetry.
Are you ready Bramble?…. Thank you.
Seated one day at the organ,
I was weary and ill at ease,
And my fingers wandered idly
Over the noisy keys.
I know not what I was playing,
Or what I was dreaming then;
But I struck one chord of music,
Like the sound of a great Amen.
It flooded the crimson twilight,
Like the close of an angel’s psalm,
And it lay on my fevered spirit
With a touch of infinite calm.
It quieted pain and sorrow,
Like love overcoming strife;
It seemed the harmonious echo
From our discordant life.
It linked all perplexèd meanings
Into one perfect peace,
And trembled away into silence
As if it were loth to cease.
I have sought, but I seek it vainly,
That one lost chord divine,
Which came from the soul of the organ,
And entered into mine.
It may be that death’s bright angel
Will speak in that chord again,
It may be that only in Heav’n
I shall hear that grand Amen.
Rosie’s that’s ––
😉
–– fabulous! How did you discover it?
(Enthusiastic applause) Rosie and Bramble, that was superb! Wonderful!
Gosh! That was magnificent – it’s not often that Lissa is lost for words 😉
Very large :)!
Encore! Encore!
Could you hear me in here? The Broadwood certainly can still make an impact, Godiva. So can Rosie, when she belts them out!
Rosie, Darling – that was splendid 😉
Thank you Darling 😉 The harmonium was perfect, in the distance, but it struck just the right balance.
Thank you ladies and gentlemen.. [elegant curtsey]
Oh, very good, Rosie. I had no idea you had such a powerful voice – and Bramble played beautifully. Mr Clarke particularly enjoyed that.
Thank you Sheila
Thank you Sheila – and thank you, Mr Clarke 😉
Lovely, lovely, lovely…
Well, and who is to be next? I agree Rosie and Bramble have set the bar rather high, though I’m certain there’s still great talent here. Sylvie, will you entertain us now?
Oh, I’ve just had a text from Tronda. Something about a carriage wheel falling off and scattering Christmas cards – from which I gather she’s on her way. At some point!
Oh yes, Sylvie, do!
Yes, please do entertain us, Miss Thredds!
It sounds as if the coachman was rather careless..
Oh. Another text. Something about a technical hitch and forgetting a new password. Whether that means she’s trapped in some secret society, can’t get up the stairs at Hogwarts or is sorting out an urgent computer glitch, time will tell. 😉
Well. I feel a little inadequate after Rosie & Bramble’s great start to the proceedings, bu I’ll have a go at one I remember my grandfather singing at family parties long ago.
The Mistletoe Bough
Also amazing, Sylvie. And rather suitable for our dramatic surroundings here. Do you have any Gothic hidden corners, Lady G?
Ooh – I was taken by surprise when the lights went out. I wondered why you were whispering to Spantrey before you started!
Such a sad and strange tale, Miss Thredds… Thank you.
Thank you – I love the old Victorian parlour songs and poems, and the opportunity to hear or perform them is very rare. I hope you will be giving us “In The Workhouse” before the evening is out?
So who has the next offering?
Thank you Sylvie. That was beautifully done – and better sung unaccompanied too, I feel.
Can I do mine next? It’s quite well known, and I’m worried that someone else might do it first.
Yes, yes, Sheila! Off you go!
Right!
Well, this is the popular Christmaspoem for children “A Visit From St Nicholas”. It was first published anonymously in 1823 but is generally thought to have been written by Clement Clarke Moore.
That was delightful, Sheila, well done!
Yes, Sheila, well done.
I find poems much harder to learn by heart than songs, and always lose my place in that one.
Now, Bramble decided that he would find ‘The Workhouse’ tale rather too depressing for the assembled company and for himself. He has just popped out for a moment to do a quick change. After which, I will accompany him for another of his party pieces when there is a slight lull in the proceedings…
That is a disappointment. Perhaps a private recitation some time, Bramble?
I which case, can Mr Clarke do his ‘turn’ now? He’s getting a bit nervous about it.
Oh, I didn’t realise that Mr Clarke was doing a turn – wonderful! Off you go, Mr Clarke!
And at some point, can I do a turn? Your St Nick gave me an idea!
The mulled wine is certainly bringing out the talent this evening!
Right, Mr Clarke has asked me to introduce him as, although he is happy to do his recitation ‘in character’ as Stanley Holloway, he is nervous about speaking as himself in such illustrious company.
Some of the monologues of Marriott Edgar are very well known, and some less so. Mr Clarke is particularly fond of the ones featuring Sam Small, a soldier in Wellington’s army. The one he has chosen to recite is “Old Sam’s Christmas Pudding” as it is seasonal,
u6zY
Bravo! Bravo, Mr Clarke!
Have another glass of mulled wine – you deserve it!
Perhaps not – he’ll be driving us home soon, and he needed a few glasses to nerve himself to recite.
Oh that was wonderful, Mr Clarke, I did enjoy it!
Lissa! It’s your turn now! Ooh, I’ve got crumbs down me bodice…
I seem to be losing my Victorian decorum… and my hair’s come down… I appear to have mislaid my feathers too..
Well, all right. But has anyone noticed the electricity is doing funny things? I don’t know if it’s the ancient wiring here, or something stranger, but Lady G and the butler have gone to investigate and I wouldn’t be surprised if it crashed on us again. I did wonder whether perhaps we should adjourn and continue another time… especially as I think Maddie’s asleep over there… but I’m persuaded to make my contribution first!
So… (fingers crossed)… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCVnuEWXQcg
Pure magic, Lissa. Thank you so much for that.
Ah, that was lovely Lissa. One of my favourite Christmas poems.
Oh and by the way Lady G has left a message on Gmail, in case anyone hasn’t seen it yet. I’m not sure if it’s a cryptic clue or just to tell us not to be concerned about the fizzing light bulbs!
I haven’t seen my mail today – but I think you might be right about adjourning, the fizzing light bulbs are a bit disconcerting. I’d have to leave soon anyway as I’m pretty tired, but would hate to miss anyone’s poem or song by doing so.
Well, Bramble and Ann Boleyn are both completely rat-@rsed in the kitchen, with a bottle of BD on the table. I need to get him home. I have a flash lamp in the car so we’ll be alright.
I hope Godiva and Spantrey manage to sort out the fuses..
Good night everyone! Didn’t we have a good time?
Yes! Isn’t it wonderful what we can do when we get together! Good night all, drive (or walk) safely.
I’m afraid it’s already past our bedtime, and much as we have enjoyed the evening I don’t think Mr Clarke can keep his eyes open much longer. And I have to do the breakfast shift in the Coffee Corner at POAGS.
If you are ready to leave, Sylvie, and no-one else is desperate to recite or sing, then we really must say goodnight.
Yes, I’m ready to go. Thanks everyone it’s been great fun.
I hope to see you all around the village before Christmas – carol singing , maybe?
Goodnight all!
Oh, mmuurgh! Where am I? (Yawns inelegantly, rubs eyes, dislodges rose from right eyebrow and peers cautiously around from depths of Knole sofa… Memory stirs…)
Oh, Lordie!! I slept through it all. I remember lovely music drifting through my dreams and then… nothing…. This is a very snuggly blanket, though. Bless Lady G and her love of cashmere. (Smiles sleepily, tucks feet up, re-arranges cushions and drifts off again..
Pingback: W/beg 12th Dec … The comfort of friends… | This is the Diary of Maddie Fingers…..