[this is a potential scene to
-introduce some worlding
– show relationship between H and M]
Q: what do you think it shows of their relationship?
Is the style of language consistent with the time? (Victorian style).
Is it pacy/interesting enough as a small scene in its own right?
She could see the whip rising and falling in a horrified slow motion as the Beater hit the beggar again and again. The beggar, clad in ripped clothing, cowered away, his underfed form, twiglike next to the Beater’s meaty legs. The crowd around them was a mix of fascination and horror, and Henery unconsciously moved forward, to better see what was happening, but he felt Mary stumble against him and he saw her face was ashy with shock.
‘Mary? Mary?’ he held her under her arm, but she whispered, ‘I am fine Henery, it is nothing really.’ She made an effort to walk more firmly.
‘Come on my dear, let’s get away from here. You are still very pale. This is nothing to concern you.’ He guided her arm and turned her back up the road they had walked down, looking at the shops and cafes that lined the wide boulevard. ‘Oh Henery, did you see though? Its terrible. You must stop it.’ Mary’s deep brown eyes were wide with disbelief at the commotion. Ladies and most gentleman rarely saw a scene like that., no wonder she was shocked.
They passed a café, with tables inviting in the sunlight and he sat her down, calling for a waiter to hurry up with some water. He took her hands between his. ‘Unfortunately, this happens sometimes, my dear.’
‘Henery’ she protested, sipping the water, ‘you cannot agree that that is a humane way to treat them, even if they are beggars.’
‘Mary, you know as well as I that until recently, the place was overrun with the bugg…them.’ Mary caught his eye and smiled at his quick catch. That was better, he knew she wouldn’t be unreasonable or shocked for long. ‘You remember last year? The whole plaza was filled with them.’
‘Henery.’ She chided, ‘Not filled.’
‘Well, they seemed to be wherever I wanted to walk, with their bowls out. Couldn’t walk two steps without tripping over them. And they attract rats you know.’
Mary shuddered, ‘Surely not,’ she murmured. ‘But that’s still no excuse for beating them so roughly.’
Henery nodded. ‘I know, I know, it does seem cruel, but the Mayor knows best how to deal with these things. He has the best advisors. They are given work, livelihoods to help them live productive lives; there was a very good article about it in the paper.
‘I suppose so’ Mary sighed, and smoothed her dress, the bottom of which had picked up some dirt from the pavement. ‘Oh look. How annoying, I shall have to give this to Sally to have cleaned.’
Henery was so pleased by this return to humour, that he said, ‘I know, why don’t we take a look in Fanshawe’s? There’s bound to be some new frills or furbelows that might catch your eye.’ Mary smiled and playfully hit him with her gloves. ‘Actually Henery, I might have to have a few of my dresses altered.’
‘Altered? What do you mean?’
‘I mean, I think I may be increasing.’ She smiled at him and waited for the penny to drop. Henery’s eyes lit up and he gave a cry of laughter. She laughed with him, and he took her hand and kissed it fervently. ‘Mary. Mary. You’ve made me so happy. After…’ After last time, he meant, their small baby, born already with the angels. Mary looked sad for a moment and Henery suddenly looked worried. ‘I hope that damn beggar – sorry my dear – hasn’t upset you too much?’ She smiled. ‘I’m fine, really. Let us look in at Fanshawe’s.’ He held her tightly, already thinking ahead to the coming months and how to protect her and the baby.
Down the street, a worker sifted sand onto the blood left on the cobbles. The spectacle was over and it wouldn’t do to frighten the ladies.
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