Chapter 19 Although William said that, ...

Although William said that, Mary was still somewhat frustrated. William undoubtedly loved her, but he couldn't understand why she was secretly doing business and making money behind their parents' backs. In his mind, his ideal sister should be a girl like Fanny, a model of family bliss. This difference in perspective was simply too difficult to resolve.

William, her brother, was still young and didn't object much to their hat-selling business, willing to keep it a secret for his sister. If the general knew the details, how could she guarantee he would support her instead of criticizing her for her daughter's unorthodox business dealings? This was different from selling the blueprints last time; she wouldn't dare trouble General Maxwell again unless absolutely necessary.

Of course, William's well-intentioned reminder was taken to heart by his younger siblings. In the major cities of London, as well as Manchester, Portsmouth, and others, countless homeless children lived in the winding, impoverished alleyways. Most of these children were poor orphans, some had run away from home due to abuse, but a considerable number had been abducted and disappeared.

In this era, once a child goes missing, it's almost impossible to find them again. Pretty girls like Mary and Susan are prime targets for abduction, and many little girls end up as child prostitutes. John and Richard's reluctance to let their two younger sisters go to school and the market alone stemmed from this concern.

The little argument between the siblings didn't affect their relationship. By the time William was about to set sail again, Mary had completely forgotten about her own feelings. She held William's hand tightly and gave her older brother the amulet she had made from giant clam shells: "William, be careful on the warship, don't push yourself too hard."

Mr. Price was very dissatisfied with his daughter's disheartened remarks. He continued to lecture his son, telling him that he must not be cowardly on the battlefield and must not lose face. Two years later, Mrs. Price seemed to finally realize that her eldest son, like his father, was going to the battlefield, and that his flesh and blood body might be wounded just like his father's. She began to worry about her son's safety.

Shortly after William left home again, Mary and Susan began their third year at the girls' school, while John and Richard spent their final year at the day school.

Easter has arrived once again, and when Richard brings her the list of recently purchased fabrics to her small desk, Mary suddenly realizes that something is subtly changing in the house. William's nautical charts are hidden under her sewing basket, John's quill pen has left a trail of writing in the ledger, and her and Susan's thimbles are placed on top of the invoice Richard has brought. The Price family is working together to try and escape their current predicament.

However, they are like a flock of birds in the sky, and one day they will fly along different paths.

“Mary, my uncle Sir Thomas wrote back to me. He said he recommends that I go to London for further studies at Wenshi Middle School after graduation. He has connections in Parliament and can recommend me for a government job in London in the future.” John took the letter into the attic and told his sister the good news. “You were absolutely right. Father read Uncle’s letter and didn’t object at all.”

“Mr. Price is just putting on a tough front; he wouldn’t truly want all his sons to go to war and risk their lives like William. The Godfather and he are prime examples. Some rise to prominence, but many more waste their lives. There are even those worse off than Father. Making it in this line of work requires more than just courage.” Mary smiled. “Your uncle’s connections are certainly useful. So, you’re leaving Portsmouth at the end of August?”

"It might be earlier, maybe at the end of July or the beginning of August I will have to leave for London. I need to go to school in advance to take the entrance exam, and my uncle will send a servant to pick me up then."

Hearing this, it would be impossible for Mary not to be envious. Boys had far more choices than girls. In addition to the noble public schools and the grammar schools chosen by the upper and middle classes (whose graduates could go on to university), there were also practical schools that taught subjects such as mathematics, law, and business, and grammar schools that combined Latin and practical education. The latter two not only had relatively low tuition fees, but also had very practical teaching content, and graduates could work in fields such as law, business, and finance.

And it would be almost impossible for her and Susan to continue their education after graduating from their current schools, because the tuition fees for girls' boarding schools that could provide secondary education would be at least one or two hundred pounds a year, an expense that Mary simply could not afford now.

"That's only a few months left, John. How many years does that school last? Did Father mention giving you some living expenses? You can't ask your uncle for that, can you?"

“It’s four years in total, and Dad didn’t mention living expenses.” John thought of the twenty or so pounds he had saved, almost all of which came from Mary’s hat business profits. He figured it should be enough to support him in London for a while. He then said, “I think the extra expenses at the grammar school will definitely be much less than at the grammar school. As long as I’m frugal in London, there shouldn’t be any problem. Mary, once I leave Portsmouth, please stop giving me profits. I haven’t contributed much to this business in the last two years.”

“Don’t say that, John. You and Richard have helped me so much. Did those market rumors just magically appear in my ears? Who helped me organize those ledgers? As for the dividends, just take these few months’ worth first, and we’ll talk about the rest later. If you have any difficulties living in London, don’t be shy about asking.” Mary had just finished speaking when a knock came from outside the door.

Richard stood outside the door, leaning against it. "I knew you were hiding here, my dear brother. Congratulations."

“I’ve come to thank Mary for letting me write that letter to my uncle.” John hugged Richard gratefully. “And you, my good brother.”

“Well then, there’s only one problem left: getting Mr. Price to foot the bill.” Richard couldn’t help but laugh as he and Mary pulled John downstairs.

In the living room on the first floor, Mr. Price was intently reading the naval news in the newspaper. The Antwerp was currently anchored in the Mediterranean, and its next move would depend on the situation. Mrs. Price was busy directing the maids to prepare afternoon tea, Susan was instructing six-year-old Sam to put things away and not touch them, while Tom and Charles played around nearby.

Mary went over to Mrs. Price and helped her set her teacup down. "Mother," she said, "I think you know about it. I mean, Sir Thomas is going to sponsor John to continue his studies at Wenshi Middle School."

“Yes, my dear son, Mr. Price has just read Sir Thomas’s letter, and I think it’s best to follow his arrangements. There’s nothing wrong with that; at least it won’t make me worry like William did.” Mrs. Price seemed much more relieved to learn that her second son was going to study in London.

“My friend Charlotte’s brother also studied at a literary school. I heard her mention that in these schools, in addition to tuition and book fees, there are other expenses. Uncle Sir Thomas has only agreed to sponsor the education of the boys in the family. I’m afraid it’s not easy to ask him for John’s living expenses,” Mary said deliberately loudly.

Mr. Price clearly heard his daughter's words. He turned the newspaper over and seemed to be focused on other news, without interrupting.

Mrs. Price was visibly agitated upon hearing this: "How much money is needed? Do we have that kind of money, Mr. Price? Mr. Price? Oh, our situation is really dire. I hope Sir Thomas can take that into consideration; he should..."

Richard picked up his cup, took a sip of tea, and chimed in, "That's probably difficult, Mom. Uncle definitely thinks it's impossible for our family to be unable to come up with such a small amount of money. I remember that with Mary managing the accounts for the past few years, we've always had enough money for ourselves, so we should have some savings, right?"

"You'll have to ask Father, Richard. Anyway, I've never overspent on the housekeeping in the past few years."

Under Mary and Richard's coordinated attack, Mr. Price had no choice but to put down his newspaper. He coughed twice and said, "I have sixteen pounds left. That's all I can give you. John William didn't ask me for a penny when he left home."

Clearly, this was a small amount of savings that the Price family had accumulated last year, which Mr. Price hadn't yet had time to spend entirely. By the time the money finally reached John, only about thirteen pounds remained. It was already the end of July, and John had packed his bags, preparing to travel to London with the servant sent by Sir Thomas.

On the day of their parting, Mary stood to one side, clutching a small purse containing the extra twenty pounds she had slipped to John—interest from her bonds. John tried to refuse, but Mary shook her head: "You know I don't need this money now. You can pay me back once you've established yourself in London."

Mrs. Price, still quite maternal, held John's hand and chattered on, worried that he might have suffered some hardship in London. Susan quietly slipped a Latin dictionary into John's suitcase; she had mustered the courage to consult Ms. Abbott before her holiday and bought it at a bookstore.

Richard stood in the doorway, his usual relaxed smile on his face: "My brother, once you're in London, remember to write home. If you run into trouble, send a letter to your uncle, Sir Thomas. Don't try to take matters into your own hands."

John nodded, took one last look around the old, crowded but warm home, and then boarded the carriage bound for London.

A note from the author:

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