'GANS AT SEA cont'd...

by Lucille D'ecoupage

After having shaken most every hand in the room and conferring with some of his sponsors, Farthing led his wife to a small patio at the rear of the house in order to take in some air. The night was beautiful and clear. A breeze had come up, enough to clear away the soot and haze of the city. The sound of horses hooves on the cobblestoned street echoed within the courtyard where they stood.

"That was wonderful." said Lady Farthing, the warm, flickering light of a gas lamp highlighting the tenderness of her cheeks.

"It was?"

"Of course darling..." she tried to reassure him.

"I fear that more than all the ice on the earth, addressing my fellows."

Claire took him by the hand and led him to the far side of the patio - away from the house and the noise and movement within, "You're being silly my dear... Three thousand people have visited upon your boat in the last week alone, eager to see for themselves what conveyance will take them on your journey too..." she kissed him lightly on the lips and tried to draw him closer. "They see you as a hero, not something so unforgivien as a man."

"Ship." Said Farthing absently.

"Beg pardon?"

"It's a ship, not a boat..."

Claire held him at arms length, "Ship, boat, it matters not."

"Not a boat."

His wife had seen him like this on numerous occasions and realized it was folly to intervene. His mind was laden with images of tasks yet to be done for it seemed he had to attend to everything, even though he was as far from his port as he was today. "You've always been more interested in details than even in your own self," she declared.

"Am I not just one more detail?"

"Pish. Enjoy yourself. This is your night. I won't listen to you any more..." She moved towards the house where she had earlier spied Dr Dickinson hovering. "Doctor?"

"Yes m'lady..."

"A word if I may."

Thomas Dickinson was one of Sir Richard's oldest and dearest friends and was a veteran of an earlier expedition. As ship's surgean he had witnessed first hand the tremendous suffering on board these vessels. He was also instrumental in designing a nutritional program using the latest technologies in food preservation and preparation. As a result, they were bearing sufficient canned goods to last at least two seasons on the ice.

"Do look after my husband won't you?" said Lady Claire to him, "You know how his hygiene suffers."

"Yes madam. I shal endevour to keep him in fine order and presentable upon our return." The Doctor had a great fondness for her and how she managed to keep such good humour in what must always be trying times.

"You do that Thomas." She gave him a peck on the cheek, as this he suddenly realized was her bid farewell, "You are too caught up in business as well. You are doing something most men can only dream of, do not forget to enjoy it."

"I know ma'am. It is an honour." He bowed before her.

"Good." She smiled in order not to cry and turned toward her husband who remained at a discrete distance. "I must go and speak with the Vice Admiral."