First Lesson
There were many things in life that Branson was sure of, and making a “good go” out of teaching the middle Crawley daughter to drive certainly wasn’t one of them. But luckily for him, he’d spent enough time in service to have a complete arsenal of ambiguous replies at the ready.
“Very well, m’lady,” he drawled, deferentially opening the driver’s side door for Lady Edith to hop inside.
---
Honk! Honk! “I suppose that never get’s old, does it Branson?” Honk! Honk!
Branson had been mid-explanation of the finer intricacies of double de-clutching when Lady Edith had made her gleeful proclamation.
Honk! Honk!
A few passing pedestrians gawked up in annoyance, a stray cat bolted at the grating blare, and Branson was almost positive Lady Edith didn’t notice the hand surreptitiously rubbing his temple.
Honk! Honk!
“Very well, m’lady,” he dissembled politely.
---
The car lurched painfully onwards. Lady Edith seemed to think she was making great strides in mastering the art of transportation.
“I think I’m getting the hang of it, don’t you Branson?”
Forbearing a response, he continued his stream of instruction, and in due time the car travelled more steadily, the engine stalled less frequently, and on the whole progress was made.
They were now ambling down a more populated road, Lady Edith flush with accomplishment, Branson with hand clutching heart and foot flooring imaginary brake pedal.
“Oh, look! It’s John Drake! One of my father’s tenants, you know.”
“If you’d just like to keep your eyes on the road, m’lady-”
“Hello, Mr. Drake!”
“Please, m’lady! There’s plenty you need to watch out for. Try not to get distrac-”
But his pleas went unheeded; the warning came to late. To both passengers’ horror and with a magnificent crash they found themselves and their rather expensive automobile imbedded into the side of a nearby fruit stand.
Lady Edith laughed nervously.
“Well. Not too bad for a first lesson, I dare say. Wouldn't you agree, Branson?”
Silence followed, punctuated by the plop plop plop of small round fruits cascading down the windshield.
“Very well, m’lady.”