Rocky Road 29 [Divide and Rule]
Title: Friend in Need
Author: lost_spook
Story: Heroes of the Revolution (Divide & Rule)
Flavor(s): Rocky Road #29 (out in the cold)
Toppings/Extras: Butterscotch + Rainbow Sprinkles
Rating: All ages
Word Count: 1427
Notes: 1903; Elizabeth Long, Hanne Beck. (This was originally meant for the Summer Challenge last year, but it was going to be longer & I never quite made it.)
Summary: Elizabeth Long befriends a small exile.
***
Elizabeth Long had gone upstairs to tidy herself after having been out for a walk, and on coming back downstairs, found herself in the middle of a heated scene in the hallway.
“Whatever is it?” she asked, as she reached Millard the butler, who was standing on the doorstep, apparently trying unsuccessfully to force the visitor to leave. Elizabeth was staying with her friend Mary Carlisle and her parents, so it wasn’t her place to interfere, but she could hardly walk past such a to-do as if nothing was amiss. Besides, the strange seemed to be speaking in German, and she knew enough of the language to perhaps be able to help smooth over a misunderstanding.
Millard turned in relief. “Miss Long. I was trying to tell this person that the professor isn’t here any longer, but they won’t listen. Perhaps you can tell her that he’s moved elsewhere?”
“I shall do my best,” said Elizabeth, although her language had largely been learned by rote at school by a severe German mistress who never condescended to mere conversation. She read some of her father’s books in the language, however, and had conversed with Herr Doktor Beck - Millard’s ‘professor’ - when he had been staying with the Carlisles. He had been most kind and helpful and never laughed at her noticeable English accent.
Elizabeth moved further forward, getting her first clear look at the inconvenient visitors. A woman and a young girl were standing in the doorway, well-wrapped up and with a trunk beside them. It was still raining outside and they were both drenched and bedraggled. She heard the woman ask again for Beck, so she stepped forward and gave her a reassuring smile. “He’s not here,” she said - she could certainly manage that. “Come in. I am sure Mr Carlisle will know where to find him.”
That was probably not what Millard had been hoping for, but luckily for Elizabeth, Mr Carlisle arrived in the hallway at that moment.
“Good Lord, what a commotion!” said Mr Carlisle. “Whatever has happened?”
Elizabeth turned in relief and explained, while Millard shut the front door behind what was presumably Frau Beck and her daughter, who were now standing in the hallway, dripping water onto the patterned tiles of the floor. She explained the situation to him.
“Ah,” said Mr Carlisle. “Odd of Beck not to send them word, but I can certainly find the address.”
Elizabeth would have reminded herself yet again that this was not her home and she didn’t run the household, but a glance again at the unfortunate pair beside her made her forget such scruples. She moved forward to halt Mr Carlisle in his progress towards his study. “Mr Carlisle! I wonder - perhaps if that is so, someone should go and find Doktor Beck for them. If there is any chance that something has happened, perhaps -?”
“Yes, yes,” Mr Carlisle said, and patted her hand. “You are quite right, and as thoughtful as ever, Miss Long.”
Elizabeth shook her head, not wanting praise for what was merely common sense and courtesy. “In the meantime,” she said. “I should surely at least take the little girl upstairs - she’s wet through, poor thing. She might catch her death otherwise.”
“Whatever you think best,” he said. “I shall find that address and send someone round. Millard, see about a blanket or a shawl or something of that nature for Frau Beck.”
Elizabeth gave a small smile. “And tea, perhaps?”
“And, tea, whatever they would care to take, yes,” said Mr Carlisle and disappeared in search of the address.
After that, Mary arrived and then Louisa, one of the maids, whom Millard immediately ordered to fetch some dry things for Frau Beck.
Elizabeth tried haltingly to explain the situation to Frau Beck, and once she had, turned back to Mary to ensure that her friend wouldn’t mind her taking the child upstairs. “And tea,” she added at the last, to Frau Beck, “or coffee if you would rather. Mary will understand that much!”
“Thank you,” said Mary. “I’m not an ignoramus. I can manage at least half a dozen words, Elizabeth.”
Frau Beck crouched down to explain to the child, and then, as she stood up, let Millard help her off with her coat. Her skirts were wet, but she was otherwise largely dry underneath. “Go with the lady,” she told her daughter in German. “She will look after you.”
Elizabeth held out her hand to the girl, who took it with surprisingly little fuss, not seemingly bothered by being handed over to a stranger. She smiled up at Elizabeth and by the time they were halfway up the stairs had started confidently chattering to her, although Elizabeth couldn’t follow all of it. She waited for the right moment and then asked her instead what her name was.
“Hanne,” the girl said, and followed Elizabeth into the bedroom. She still didn’t seem very much discomposed and allowed Elizabeth to help pull off her wet outer clothes as if she was quite used to such things. She was, Elizabeth began to realise with some amusement, evidently the petted darling of the family, confidently expecting kind treatment from everyone she met.
Mary poked her head round the door at that point. “Mother’s arrived and taken over with Frau Beck,” she said. “I thought I’d let you know that she asked for someone to send up hot water. Do you need any help?”
“No,” said Elizabeth with a smile. Then she turned to Hanne and told her, as best as she could, that there would be a hot bath for her and also hot milk.
Hanne nodded. “Danke.” She didn’t seem to find anything strange about the situation still and sat down on Elizabeth’s lap quite happily as she waited in her damp petticoat. She was older than Elizabeth had first thought, probably as much as nine or ten. She leant against her and talked again, although this time Elizabeth had a little more leisure to catch some of it: she hadn’t liked the ship or the waiting and walking in the rain, but she said, they must do it, so that they could find Father.
“Do you think something has happened?” Mary asked, and Elizabeth darted a warning look at her, giving a quick shake of her head: Not in front of the child.
“I hope not,” she said. It was much more likely that some letter had gone astray, or the timing had been unfortunate, but best to be sure before they stumbled into trouble, tired and wet from their journey, and alone in a foreign country where they couldn’t speak the language. She looked at the girl. “Do you speak any English?” she asked.
Hanne nodded, and responded by cheerfully reciting what English she knew - good morning, good night, dog, cat, apples, boat - stopping suddenly when the maid returned with the hot water for the bath.
While Hanne bathed, Elizabeth asked Mary if she would go and see if there had been any news yet. If it was bad, it would be kind to give the child some warning - and allow Frau Beck a little space if needed.
Mary returned while Elizabeth was helping Hanne into some old clothes that had belonged to Cecily, the youngest Carlisle girl.
“Elizabeth,” Mary said. “Father says that - that the doctor has been very ill, but he’s recovering now and back home from the infirmary - and no doubt will be very glad to see his wife and child.”
Elizabeth gave a slight smile in relief, and turned to the girl. “Hanne,” she said, “we know where your father is now, and you and your mother will see him soon.”
Hanne stared at her and asked her to say that again and when Elizabeth obliged, startled them both by bursting into tears.
“Oh, come,” said Mary, forgetting that she wouldn’t be understood. “There’s no need for tears, not now.”
Elizabeth ignored Mary and passed Hanne a clean handkerchief. “You’ve been missing your father?” she said quietly as she straightened Hanne’s pinafore. And perhaps, she thought, keeping up a brave front for your mother and everyone else. Elizabeth didn’t have the words to translate that properly or how well she could understand it, but she squeezed Hanne’s fingers gently, and said only, “When you’re ready, we’ll take you back down. I’m sure you’ll want to see your father as soon as you can, won’t you?”
Hanne wiped her face and blew her nose and then nodded. “Yes,” she said, in English. “Yes, now, please, miss.”
***
Author: lost_spook
Story: Heroes of the Revolution (Divide & Rule)
Flavor(s): Rocky Road #29 (out in the cold)
Toppings/Extras: Butterscotch + Rainbow Sprinkles
Rating: All ages
Word Count: 1427
Notes: 1903; Elizabeth Long, Hanne Beck. (This was originally meant for the Summer Challenge last year, but it was going to be longer & I never quite made it.)
Summary: Elizabeth Long befriends a small exile.
***
Elizabeth Long had gone upstairs to tidy herself after having been out for a walk, and on coming back downstairs, found herself in the middle of a heated scene in the hallway.
“Whatever is it?” she asked, as she reached Millard the butler, who was standing on the doorstep, apparently trying unsuccessfully to force the visitor to leave. Elizabeth was staying with her friend Mary Carlisle and her parents, so it wasn’t her place to interfere, but she could hardly walk past such a to-do as if nothing was amiss. Besides, the strange seemed to be speaking in German, and she knew enough of the language to perhaps be able to help smooth over a misunderstanding.
Millard turned in relief. “Miss Long. I was trying to tell this person that the professor isn’t here any longer, but they won’t listen. Perhaps you can tell her that he’s moved elsewhere?”
“I shall do my best,” said Elizabeth, although her language had largely been learned by rote at school by a severe German mistress who never condescended to mere conversation. She read some of her father’s books in the language, however, and had conversed with Herr Doktor Beck - Millard’s ‘professor’ - when he had been staying with the Carlisles. He had been most kind and helpful and never laughed at her noticeable English accent.
Elizabeth moved further forward, getting her first clear look at the inconvenient visitors. A woman and a young girl were standing in the doorway, well-wrapped up and with a trunk beside them. It was still raining outside and they were both drenched and bedraggled. She heard the woman ask again for Beck, so she stepped forward and gave her a reassuring smile. “He’s not here,” she said - she could certainly manage that. “Come in. I am sure Mr Carlisle will know where to find him.”
That was probably not what Millard had been hoping for, but luckily for Elizabeth, Mr Carlisle arrived in the hallway at that moment.
“Good Lord, what a commotion!” said Mr Carlisle. “Whatever has happened?”
Elizabeth turned in relief and explained, while Millard shut the front door behind what was presumably Frau Beck and her daughter, who were now standing in the hallway, dripping water onto the patterned tiles of the floor. She explained the situation to him.
“Ah,” said Mr Carlisle. “Odd of Beck not to send them word, but I can certainly find the address.”
Elizabeth would have reminded herself yet again that this was not her home and she didn’t run the household, but a glance again at the unfortunate pair beside her made her forget such scruples. She moved forward to halt Mr Carlisle in his progress towards his study. “Mr Carlisle! I wonder - perhaps if that is so, someone should go and find Doktor Beck for them. If there is any chance that something has happened, perhaps -?”
“Yes, yes,” Mr Carlisle said, and patted her hand. “You are quite right, and as thoughtful as ever, Miss Long.”
Elizabeth shook her head, not wanting praise for what was merely common sense and courtesy. “In the meantime,” she said. “I should surely at least take the little girl upstairs - she’s wet through, poor thing. She might catch her death otherwise.”
“Whatever you think best,” he said. “I shall find that address and send someone round. Millard, see about a blanket or a shawl or something of that nature for Frau Beck.”
Elizabeth gave a small smile. “And tea, perhaps?”
“And, tea, whatever they would care to take, yes,” said Mr Carlisle and disappeared in search of the address.
After that, Mary arrived and then Louisa, one of the maids, whom Millard immediately ordered to fetch some dry things for Frau Beck.
Elizabeth tried haltingly to explain the situation to Frau Beck, and once she had, turned back to Mary to ensure that her friend wouldn’t mind her taking the child upstairs. “And tea,” she added at the last, to Frau Beck, “or coffee if you would rather. Mary will understand that much!”
“Thank you,” said Mary. “I’m not an ignoramus. I can manage at least half a dozen words, Elizabeth.”
Frau Beck crouched down to explain to the child, and then, as she stood up, let Millard help her off with her coat. Her skirts were wet, but she was otherwise largely dry underneath. “Go with the lady,” she told her daughter in German. “She will look after you.”
Elizabeth held out her hand to the girl, who took it with surprisingly little fuss, not seemingly bothered by being handed over to a stranger. She smiled up at Elizabeth and by the time they were halfway up the stairs had started confidently chattering to her, although Elizabeth couldn’t follow all of it. She waited for the right moment and then asked her instead what her name was.
“Hanne,” the girl said, and followed Elizabeth into the bedroom. She still didn’t seem very much discomposed and allowed Elizabeth to help pull off her wet outer clothes as if she was quite used to such things. She was, Elizabeth began to realise with some amusement, evidently the petted darling of the family, confidently expecting kind treatment from everyone she met.
Mary poked her head round the door at that point. “Mother’s arrived and taken over with Frau Beck,” she said. “I thought I’d let you know that she asked for someone to send up hot water. Do you need any help?”
“No,” said Elizabeth with a smile. Then she turned to Hanne and told her, as best as she could, that there would be a hot bath for her and also hot milk.
Hanne nodded. “Danke.” She didn’t seem to find anything strange about the situation still and sat down on Elizabeth’s lap quite happily as she waited in her damp petticoat. She was older than Elizabeth had first thought, probably as much as nine or ten. She leant against her and talked again, although this time Elizabeth had a little more leisure to catch some of it: she hadn’t liked the ship or the waiting and walking in the rain, but she said, they must do it, so that they could find Father.
“Do you think something has happened?” Mary asked, and Elizabeth darted a warning look at her, giving a quick shake of her head: Not in front of the child.
“I hope not,” she said. It was much more likely that some letter had gone astray, or the timing had been unfortunate, but best to be sure before they stumbled into trouble, tired and wet from their journey, and alone in a foreign country where they couldn’t speak the language. She looked at the girl. “Do you speak any English?” she asked.
Hanne nodded, and responded by cheerfully reciting what English she knew - good morning, good night, dog, cat, apples, boat - stopping suddenly when the maid returned with the hot water for the bath.
While Hanne bathed, Elizabeth asked Mary if she would go and see if there had been any news yet. If it was bad, it would be kind to give the child some warning - and allow Frau Beck a little space if needed.
Mary returned while Elizabeth was helping Hanne into some old clothes that had belonged to Cecily, the youngest Carlisle girl.
“Elizabeth,” Mary said. “Father says that - that the doctor has been very ill, but he’s recovering now and back home from the infirmary - and no doubt will be very glad to see his wife and child.”
Elizabeth gave a slight smile in relief, and turned to the girl. “Hanne,” she said, “we know where your father is now, and you and your mother will see him soon.”
Hanne stared at her and asked her to say that again and when Elizabeth obliged, startled them both by bursting into tears.
“Oh, come,” said Mary, forgetting that she wouldn’t be understood. “There’s no need for tears, not now.”
Elizabeth ignored Mary and passed Hanne a clean handkerchief. “You’ve been missing your father?” she said quietly as she straightened Hanne’s pinafore. And perhaps, she thought, keeping up a brave front for your mother and everyone else. Elizabeth didn’t have the words to translate that properly or how well she could understand it, but she squeezed Hanne’s fingers gently, and said only, “When you’re ready, we’ll take you back down. I’m sure you’ll want to see your father as soon as you can, won’t you?”
Hanne wiped her face and blew her nose and then nodded. “Yes,” she said, in English. “Yes, now, please, miss.”
***