Sally, though hoping for a warmer response, said "Certainly, sir," and promptly provided a very full dish with about half a chicken and as many potatoes as she could cram on the dish.
She dexterously placed this before William, saying "If there is anything else I can do for you, I shall be most happy to serve you, sir."

William cleared his throat.

"Yes, well, I think this should be sufficient, thank you..."

Sally suppresses her disappointment and says "Very well, sir." She then resumes a more conventional servant demeanor and circles around to make sure the others are satisfied.
Since Angelina had appeared interested, Sally asks her politely, "May I assist you, ma'm?"

In reply to Sir John Marke (msg # 67):

"No, thank you. If I do need anything, I shall ask." Angeline said politely, and turned her head back to her plate, picking up a scone spread in butter and biting into it.

Sally retreats, defeated, and takes up a conventional servant stance beside the sideboard, watching to see if any of the guests needs anything. The other maid, Doris, has been standing there already. Sally whispers to her "A vicar, a cold fish, and a dashing officer --and none of them will give me the time o' day."<Brown>
Doris responds sharply, <Brown>"The master's dinner is no place for your games, Sally."

Sally answers, a bit more angrily, "Games, is it? What about that dirty fellow you've been sneaking about with? He's a far sight worse than any of this lot."
Realizing she has spoken so loudly the guests might overhear her, Sally suddenly falls silent.
The butler gives her a severe look, and Sir John glances at her as well.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:31, Mon 23 May 2022.

William stepped into the moment, before any lasting embarrassment might harm the evening.

"Miss Walsh, have you tried the jam on your scone?  Can you possibly tell what type of fruit it is composed of?  I cannot tell from my vantage point, and I am considering trying a sample."

In reply to William Anthony Hood (msg # 70):

Angeline smiled politely. " Yes, I have. Blueberry, I believe."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:53, Sat 04 June 2022.

Hoping to make up for her awkward moment, and admiring William, Sally hastens to bring the jam to William, saying "Jam for your scone, Major? It's boiled from our own berries in the kitchen garden."

Being in a little too eager to serve William, Sally manages to lose her grip on the jam pot and spill jam all over William's dress shirt. She recoils in horror, crying "Oh, pray forgive me, major!"

Sir John stares at Sally and says in shocked surprise, "That is not the quality of service I should expect from anyone at Markham Hall, Sally. You must ask Mrs. Partridge for a cloth to clean the major's clothes."

Sally, blushing furiously, hastens towards the kitchen offices.

William was studiously trying to ignore Sally's attentions when she dropped the jam pot on him, spilling the jam all over his shirt.  He stood up, and was brushing away the jam, all the while muttering "not at all, I have plenty of shirts..." - then he noticed the way the jam splotched red on his white shirt, looking very much the way blood from musket wounds looked on white linen shirts beneath the red Hussar's uniforms, and his own face went white for a moment from the memory.  For just a moment, the sounds of battle were all around him, the whirring of shot overhead and nearby, the concussion of canon firing canister shot that sounded like a million hot angry hornets flying by, the screams of dying men and horses...for a moment, it was all too much.

He grabbed the back of his chair to steady himself, felt his knee give way, then managed to get himself back into the chair without falling down.

To the others he waved his hand, saying "It's only a bit of jam...no need for a great fuss."

"Are you well, Mister Hood? Would you care for a glass of water - or something stronger - or to step out for a breath of air?"

The Vicar looked concerned.

Sir John gave Sally a very severe looked that promised future discussion of care i serving a guest, and offered "We can easily find a glass of brandy if that would be more reviving, Major."

"Yes, some brandy would be most invigorating", William replied, feeling a bit embarrassed at causing a scene.

Sir John turns to Doris (the plain, quiet maid) and says briskly, "Brandy for the major at once, please."

Doris bobs her head, hastens to a decanter on the sideboard, pours a brimming glass of brandy and carefully sets it before Major Hood, being sure not to spill a drop. Having done so, she politely retires, but cannot resist casting one admiring glance at him. She may not be as smitten with him as Sally, but she is not completely immune to his charms.

"Thank you", Major Hood replied when Doris set the glass down before him.  He raised the glass carefully, cupping it and giving the glass a swirl to warm the glass a bit, took a sniff, and then drank a measured sip.  It was outstanding, as expected from Sir John's stock.  "Pomace, I presume, from the colour", he continued, "since my time in the field I have rather acquired a taste for Armagnac, which of course is now quite difficult to obtain.  But this has a fine finish, my compliments, Sir John."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:47, Tue 01 Nov 2022.

Sir John nods politely and says, "I am very glad the brandy is to your taste, major, and I hope it proves restorative. Armagnac, alas, I have not seen --or tasted -- since the last we laid down before the war was drunk, and I do not expect to have more until peace is at last restored. There are those "free-traders" who traffic in it, of course, but as a magistrate I can hardly countenance such dealings."

Since he felt the unfortunate episode has rather spoilt the dinner, Sir John waits until everyone has finished and says, "I must crave everyone's pardon for this unfortunate little contretemps. I hope that we will nonetheless be able to continue to sustain the connections with our new acquaintances. I look forward to seeing you all again soon. If any of you has a suggestion for another suitable occasion we might celebrate together, I would be very glad to hear it."

Hearing no immediate suggestions, Sir John proposes tentatively, "Since Major Hood is an enthusiastic horseman, perhaps we could join him in a ride around Allton, to give him a better notion of the lay of the land in his new home. I could have Mrs. Partridge put up a lunch for us, and we could stop in some pleasant grove to partake of it. Would that please the company?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:23, Mon 09 Jan 2023.

"An outstanding suggestion; I am always ready for a day's hack."

In reply to Sir John Marke (msg # 82):

Angeline had to agree. A ride about sounded delightful.

Sir John continues, "I am very glad Miss Walsh will be with us. I hope that Lady Victoria and Dr. Arabin and perhaps others will also share the ride."

"I would relish a ride out with such pleasant company," said the Vicar.

Sir John responds "Splendid! No doubt our appreciation of the beauties of Creation will be enhanced by your company, doctor. Will lady Victoria or others care to join us?"

When everyone has expressed (or not expressed) an interest in the proposed ride, Sir John says "Well, I do thank you all most heartily for attending my dinner. I shall certainly look forward to our ride together. May I offer you all a stirrup-cup before you depart for this evening?"

On the next pleasant day, Sir John instructs Mrs. Partridge to prepare an elegant luncheon, while her husband was to select the most suitable wines to accompany it, together with a large jug of lemonade for those who might not wish to imbibe too heavily.
Doris was tasked with preparing the latter, which she did with care, following the instructions she had received from her beloved Phineas.