Coram Boy
Description
Read MoreVocal Characteristics
Language
EnglishVoice Age
Young Adult (18-35)Accents
British (General) British (Received Pronunciation - RP, BBC)Transcript
Note: Transcripts are generated using speech recognition software and may contain errors.
Tommy, a voice hissed from behind the pillar. A small, barefooted girl appeared around shyly carrying a bundle in her apron. Mom sent some clothes for you once for you to look like a gentleman. She giggled at the thought. Thomas peeled away from the choir. Embarrassed. He pulled his little sister out of sight. What are you doing here, Lizzie? He asked roughly. Mom wanted you to be dressed proper for going away. She sent you these. Lizzie thrust a bundle into his arms, wrapped in a piece of sailcloth. Thomas wondered how his mother could possibly afford to send anything decent that he could wear. He had intended going in the clothes provided by the cathedral, his choir, school breeches, stockings and tailed jacket. He prized open the corner and peeped. Inside. There was a jacket and breeches made of sturdy broadcloth. A shirt of not too coarse cotton and a woven waistcoat. He looked up puzzled. How did she come by these Lizzie giggled again. They were Uncle Martin's clouds. You don't mind, do you, ma'am? Thought you would fit them now, being as though you're the same age as he was when he died. Thanks, Liz. he dropped a kiss on her, bonnet his head and thank ma for me and tell her I'll take care of the clothes. Now go or you'll get in trouble. Tommy, are you going to be a gentleman? Teased Lizzie, You will come home and tell us all about it, won't you? You'll never be too grand for us. Will you shoe you silly little goose laughed Thomas and pushed her off. And don't forget to give our mom a big kiss from me. He called after her mother has promised us a feast to make up for Christmas and Easter, Alexander told Thomas. We will eat duck, roast lamb and Easter almond and simple cake. We'll eat ourselves silly to make up for all that ill pie, stewed fish and vegetable broth. We get day in, day out, and suddenly the talk was of food. As the boys packed their bags and put on their walking boots, those who didn't live in the city were preparing to walk up to 10 to 15 miles home. Thomas was getting ready to do the same when word came to Alexander that the Ashbrook carriage was here and that John Millman, the head groom was waiting. We are going by carriage, ma'am and Thomas with all silently. He followed Alexander out into the close, where a two horse carriage was waiting. The shiny, dark green painted body of the carriage had a coat of arms with the letter a in gold swirling around the symbol of a white painted swan. There were warm greetings as the boys emerged, Alexander shook the groom's hand warmly and introduced him to Thomas. This value John is my dearest friend, so I hope you look out for him and show him the ropes. If he seems lost. John Millman nodded courteously and opened the carriage door to reveal Mrs Lynch swathed and vomited, looking more Matron Lee and her face quite free of rouge. She smiled, ingratiating Lee and struggled to get out in deference to the young master. Stay, stay, Mrs Lynch, don't disturb yourself. Well, set up with John. I hope you don't mind just having our bags for company. Oh, and this is my friend Thomas Ledbury. I trust you have prepared his chamber and will make him comfortable. We have been making preparations for his arrival ever since we heard you were coming home with a friend, replied Mrs Lynch reassuringly. She nodded briefly in response to Thomas's polite but dream like bow in a daze. Thomas followed Alexander clambering up onto the driver's seat next to John, who flicked the pair of black horses with his whip and set off along the road beyond the city walls and towards the hills behind them, laughing and chuckling and yelling, cheerful abuse. Several of the choristers chased behind and leapt onto the back bar of the carriage for a lift part of the way. One by one, the boys fell away at different junctures with shouts of See you in September and soon the carriage was out on the open road, lurching through the ruts and ridges and mud pools left by the bad weather of the night before, towards the Hills and Ashbrook. They didn't speak much, though. Every now and then, Thomas couldn't resist calling out, Hey, look at that! Or did you see that the raucous sounds and smells of the city gave way to the more harmonious and gentle tones of the countryside? He listened and watched and chanted stone pickers and farm labourers. Men, women and Children moved down the furrows of newly ploughed fields, calling to each other and singing together as they tossed in the seed barley, millet or wheat and rye. We tear chief chief and swallows who in the winter emigrated to warm land where oranges grow, dived and swooped to sift. Delighted to see the fold of Cotswolds Hills rising and falling from valley to valley and upland to high common, Thomas wondered what Alexander was thinking. He sat so silently, not looking around, impervious to the countryside as they rumbled through. Only once did he turn and gaze back intently at the city walls, as if he couldn't bear to leave the cathedral behind him. Then he looked forward again, his head dropping to his chest, humming all the melodies which flowed from it. This will be the first time you'll be meeting Mrs Milk Oat and her daughter. I take it Master Alexander. Mrs. Lynch is overly high. Voice broke through their thoughts as she leant out of the carriage window. She's a pretty young thing, and there is no mistaken who? Retorted Alexander tartly, the mother or the daughter. Oh, you are become such a wag, sir. If you don't mind me saying tittered, Mrs. Lynch. Why the young lady? To be sure. Miss Milk Oat. She and your sister have become quite some friends. Mm, yeah.