21.5 William the Dog Trainer

Quote from the story
"…she couldn't get out of givin' me the half-crown. She made me promise to put it in my money-box, so I did all right, but I got it out again with a knife when she'd gone. I never promised not to get it out again"
- William

 The Outlaws were in Ginger's back garden eating apples before throwing apple cores at each other. William was telling them about a films he had seen with his aunt, who had given his half a crown because he had been helpful. While William was rather vague about the content of the films, apart from general fighting, one thing he was sure on was that he liked the sheep dog the best. Quite taken with the intelligence and abilities of sheep dogs, William decides that Jumble would make a good sheep dog.

Now that William has the idea, he won't shut up about the idea. The Outlaws get a bit fed up as they want to know what happened in the war film, but William is no longer interested. This leads to Ginger betting William that he can't train Jumble to be a sheep dog. The bets hardens William's resolve and he now daydreams of all the amazing feats Jumble will achieve as a sheep dog. And of course, while he'd hire him out to the farmer, Jenks, he'd charge him more and make it difficult for him! Settling old scores!

Deciding to train Jumble in secret, seeing as the other Outlaws didn't support the cause, he heads over to the aforementioned Jenks' farm. Seeing Jenks heading towards the pigsties, William heads directly for the outfields, where he comes across many sheep. So, the training begins. Unfortunately, Jumble's idea of bringing the sheep efficiently to the corner was running wildly and barking loudly at them from all directions. Jumble, now in a state of ecstacy, ignores William's commands to stop. This, of course, brings Farmer Jenks to the chaotic scene; throwing stones at Jumble and grabbing William by the scrub of his neck.

Farmer Smith arrives now, but even his attempts do not calm a furious Jenks, who wants five pounds in damages and Jumble destroyed for sheep worrying. William pleads with Jenks. He'll bring him all the money, two-pence a week, as long as he doesn't tell Mr Brown or destroy Jumble.

As he drags William home, the damages have decreased to three pounds, but it seems the destruction of Jumble is a must.

Mr Brown deals with William harshly and his solicitor advises him to pay the damages and get rid of Jumble. William pleads for the life of Jumble, but his father won't hear of it, his mother doesn't have a sympathetic ear either.

William decides to keep Jumble in the barn until the whole mess dies down. When the vet arrives to take care of business, Jumble is nowhere to be seen. It becomes clear that the adult world is against him. He decides to take Jumble and go on the run.

We are then introduced to Miss Wortleton, who has taken a house on the outskirts of Marleigh, in which she housed a large number of dogs. She cannot abide dogs being maltreated, so while she is worried about the amount of dogs she has; when she sees a farmer giving a sheep dog a hiding during training, she buys it for £10 (even though the farmer, secretly, only wanted £5).

She sees William outside her home looking at a sign-post, as if wondering which way to go. She witnesses his affectionate behaviour towards Jumble and thinks that William is the boy to relieve her of one of her dogs.

William declines her offer of viewing all of her dogs until refreshments are offered. At seeing the amount of dogs she has, he considers that she collects dogs like someone might collect cigarette cards. So while she is trying to palm a dog off on William, William is in turn wanting her to look after Jumble until the fuss dies down. Miss Wortleton offers a sheep dog, Hector, to William. William, at first, declines, but having time to think while he demolishes a second plate of new current buns, then accepts. He decides he can go back to the original plan of hiding Jumble and can now say that he has swapped him for Hector. Hector, having nothing to do with the situation would be left out of it.

Walking home, William is less certain that his plan will work. But he comes upon a situation at the boundary of Farmer Jenk's land and Farmer Smith's land - sheep gone wild! Jenks has tied up his sheepdog as useless and William, deciding to watch proceedings, does the same with Jumble. However, Hector makes a run for the sheep. Smith seeing that Hector is trained, yells instructions, which are followed to the tee. Smith is impressed and tricks Farmer Jenks into saying that Jumble can live if Hector is for sale. Jenks says he'll buy him, but Smith says that he already has, will pay for the original damages - but must have proof! This sends Jenks off in a rage.

Escorting William home to speak with his parents, Smith tells them everything is fine and he'll manage Jenks. He gives William a ten-shilling note with the potential of more to come, dependent on the damages he has to pay Jenks.

Unaware of Jumble's change in fortune, Ethel returns home thinking that he has been destroyed. Thinking William is low on money as his pocket money was suspended, she offers him a low fee for collecting her shoes from the cobbler and she'll borrow the money for payment from mother. William flashes his ten-shilling note, saying he'll collect the shoes for free and lend her the money! Shouting "Hi, Jumble!", Ethel is thrown into "utter stupification". Life again, for William, is good!

Characters	Events
William	Sheep worrying
Ginger
Douglas	Places
Henry	Ginger's House (Back Garden)
Jumble	Jenks Farm
Farmer Jenks	William's Home
Farmer Smith	Miss Wortleton' s Home
Mr Brown
Mrs Brown
Miss Wortleton
Ethel

Jimmy Story Review: 1.4 Jimmy, Detective

The Three Musketeers (Roger, Charles, and Bill) have decided to investigate a brooch now missing, but previously in the ownership of Sally's visiting aunt.

As Jimmy is not allowed to join, he and Bobby agree to investigate themselves. The Three Musketeers go off following a clue. Jimmy has it all figured out. His logic is that the criminal always returns to the scene of the crime, in this case the greenhouse, so that's where they'll catch him. The trap will be a bucketful of 'spraying stuff' fitted up over the greenhouse door.

Jimmy leaves Bobby and goes inside, in search of something handcuff-like to secure the criminal. His search takes longer than expected, however he does find a chain and a rusty hook. His mother informs him that Sally's aunt has now found the brooch - caught in a scarf. Mrs Manning has told her to go and gather any carnations from the greenhouse that she might like.

Running breathlessly, Jimmy heads towards the greenhouse - we know the outcome! - the spraying stuff has gone all over her! She's gone off in a huff, 'like a volcano'.

Sally appears in the gap of the hedge, which they regularly meet at, and asks if he say covered her aunt in lime wash. He admits to the mistake, however Sally is jubilant at this knowledge - all she wanted was for the aunt, who has been bossing her around, to go home. She's currently packing, refusing to stay. She was fed up with Roger trying to find the brooch. All of this leaves Jimmy the hero, for once, and not Roger.

Characters:

Roger
Charles
Bill
Jimmy
Bobby
Mrs Manning
Sally

Just William at Christmas

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Here's a quick video with some ways to enjoy William during the Christmas period. Enjoy!

MIST Story Review: Harry Lorrimer

Harry Lorrimer is the seventh story from the compilation called MIST and other stories by Richmal Crompton.



Synopsis
It is Gregson, who we meet during his time on holiday at Framebridge, who tells us this tale of possession. He has been told of good fishing at Framebridge, but realises that this isn't the case. Coming across a wonderful inn, but the name of Barley Mow, he decides to stay the week anyway, rather than return to London.
On one of his walks he comes across an old friend from college, Harry Lorrimer, who invites him to dinner at his home, Framebrodge Manor. While Gregson readily agrees, he then spends hime back at Barley Mow feeling "vaguely disturbed" by the meeting. This doesn't feel like the Harry he knew back at college, the weak, but attractive lad that was part of the wild set at Trinity. Something seems off, which Gregson puts down to Harry's wife.
However, at the Manor, Harry's wife is sweet and cool. However, too calm, and too pleasant - the atmosphere was too unreal.
When Margaret leaves the room, Harry starts talking about distasteful topics that make Gregson feel sick. Eventually, they return to Margaret, and Gregson sees that her calm has slipped into fear, before she realises that they are there and fixes her face into calmness again.
Awakening from a dream in which Margaret is asking for his help, Gregson, at 1 am, visits the Manor. Margaret has been locked out of the house, not for the first time.
Gregson manages to coax out what has been occurring up at the Manor: nearly a year ago, Harry collapsed and when he awakened was not himself. While he knew all of Harry's friends and had all of Harry's memories, it is not Harry. It is fiendish and cruel in unusual ways. They manage to get back into the house where Margaret shows Gregson the portrait of Henry Montford Lorrimer, a wicked man, who was killed in a duel at the age of 33.
Gregson then tells her he must visit a friend, promising to be back in two days. His friend, Sanderson, was an expert in the occult. He advises that only love unclouded by fear can bring the possibility of returning Harry to the control of his own body.
When Gregson returns, he tells Margaret what he has discovered. Margaret realises what she must do. Hiding the key to the wine cellar, she invites confrontation with Henry, telling him that he cannot hurt her, even if he breaks her arms. She calls out to Harry, who responds before fainting. Upon his revival is becomes clear that he has no memory of what has happened.

In the final entry, we find Gregson staying with the Lorrimers, now in Kent, with four children, having sold the Manor with all of the contents. Henry Montford Lorrimer is never discussed.



Review
I found this to be quite a weak story that resolves without issue and a fair easy manner. Because we are not told details of the wicked things Henry has done, or any of the vile things he tells Gregson, we are so far distanced from the evil as to not be touched by it.
Sadly, no fear is generated by this story. No disturbance or worries for any of the characters. While Margaret acts supremely with bravery, she only has to do so once, which seems odd if Henry is such a strong being. They neatly sell the Manor, contents and all, and move to Kent. Everything is tied up very neatly with no apparent after effects for Harry.

One thing worth mentioning is Crompton's mention of Addison's Spectator. The Spectator originally ran between 1711 and 1714, generating over 500 issues as a periodical. Publishing essays, the publication was then collected into eight volumes and was still popular in to the 1900s. 

TV Series: Just William (1994-1995)

This is the William series of my childhood. Without it, I may have never known of Just William, so I am forever indebted to all the crew of this two season series.

This series features Oliver Rokison in one of only two roles he has played (the other is Young Wallingford in Goodbye, Mr. Chips). He made me feel like I could be one of the Outlaws and, of course, I needed to read more of these adventures! While my version of William deviated, over time, from Oliver's, I am so grateful for him leading the way.

Series 1 aired between 13 November and 18 December 1994. The episode list was:
William and the White Elephants
Finding a School for William
William and the Great Actor
William's Birthday
William and the Russian Prince
William's Busy Day

Series two, which aired between 12 November and 17 December 1995 showed:
William Clears the Slums
Boys Will Be Boys
William and the Ebony Hairbrush
William and the Old Man in the Fog
Parrots for Ethel
William Turns Over a New Leaf

 

21.4 Portrait of William

Quote from the story
""It's jolly decent of you," he said for the thousandth time"
- William

This story begins with Jumble running out into the road to chase a rat he's spotted on the far bank. He gets hit by a car, however the woman driver, who we later discover is Miss Bryce, far from displaying the indignation of other drivers, takes them immediately to the vets. She acts lovingly towards Jumble and pays the bill. Before she can take them home, she needs to her home in Hadley, telling William and Jumble to stay in the car and she'll be as quick as she can.

Almost as soon as she is in the front door, a man, Mr Faversham appears from the side door. Commanding William to follow him, he then proceeds to draw him; with William responding "I say, I don't want to be drawn". The feeling between the two is mutual.
When the girl returns to the artist exclaiming that she can't find the boy, the artist replies that he is here. However, it becomes clear that another boy, named Freddie, was supposed to be having his portrait drawn for an aged aunt in America. The artist is at first annoyed that he has wasted his time, but friendly relations are formed when William simply says "It's jolly well been wastin' my time as much as yours".  As the aunt has never, and likely will never, see Freddie, the artist wants to send his William sketch and not waste any additional time on this job.
Miss Bryce is Freddie's mother's help and is likely to gain the wrath of said mother is the sketch isn't done by the time she returns.

We re-join the story several months later, with the Outlaws in the woods near Marleigh. They are discussing Sir Gerald Markham's new groundskeeper for Marleigh Manor, a Muggeridge. The Outlaws have of necessity become enemies with "Chief Mugface" due to their incessant fires, tree climbing, and general running wild through the woods. Recently, Victor Jameson had been caught in place of the Outlaws and Sir Markham had written home to his parents - the letter delivered in one hand by Mr Muggeridge, while still holding Victor's ear in the other.

Of course, William, as Chief Hawkeye feels that Chief Mugface wouldn't try such a thing with them! Which gives them confidence, until they hear Mr Muggeridge make his way towards them, making the leap to their feet and scamper. Unfortunately, William has tripped on a tree root and become ensnared in Mr Mudderidge's grasp. William tries to convince him that he's from Scotland Yard, here to trap a few trespassers for him, however, this quickly leads to an attempted bribe, which leads to William becoming the head of the gangsters.

Mr Muggeridge is silent until they reach Sir and Lady Markham. Sir Markham is threatening a letter to William's father when an old lady pipes up that it's Freddie. As Freddie, William is released by Muggeridge. Tea with his 'great aunt' and the Markham's follow. William tries to excuse himself, but Freddie's great aunt insists on taking him home. William agrees as he doesn't want Miss Bryce to get in trouble. He then says that he's staying with William Brown's family, but his great aunt want to speak to Mrs Brown about him staying with her instead.

While Mrs Shoreham goes to speak to Mrs Brown, William hides in his room. There is a great confusion and Mrs Brown seeks William out, who says that he just looks like Freddie and is often confused with being him. Just then newly married Mr and Mrs Faversham pop by to see William as it was the portrait that started off their relationship. William points to Mr Faversham saying that he can explain everything, taking the former Miss Bryce to see Jumble.

Characters	Places
William	Freddie's home
Jumble	Marleigh Woods
Miss Bryce (then Mr Faversham)	Marleigh Manor
Mr Faversham
Mr Muggeridge
Sir Gerald   Markham
Lady Markham	Gangs
Mrs Shoreham (Freddie's great aunt)	Indians (William as Chief Hawk   Eye, Mr Muggeridge as Chief Mugface)
Mrs Brown

Jimmy Story Review: 1.3 The Mousse

Jimmy and Roger have been invited to the birthday party of the girl next door, Sally. Jimmy is excited and has bought Sally a present, Roger does not want to go: "A soppy girl's party".

Sally is 9, an age inbetween Jimmy's 7 years and Roger's 11 years. This makes her view Jimmy as a baby (which he can't bear) and Roger as a hero.

Jimmy had purchased the gift of a paint box for Sally, which he'd saved up for. This goes down like a lead balloon as she unforms him that she has three now, which were given to her during the intervening period. Jimmy is saddened and wonders how to make it up to her.

Miss Manning asks Jimmy to read the note from Sally's mother as she's forgotten what time to arrive at the party. Along with the time is a list of things to bring, including mousse - which Jimmy mis-reads as mouse.

After looking long and hard for a mouse, including the blitzed house, Jimmy actually comes across a woman carrying a mouse in a humane trap. She, apparently, catches them at her home, walks a way, and lets them go.  She is more than happy for Jimmy to take the mouse, trap and all.

Upon reaching the party, evidently expecting everyone's excitement at his new present, Jimmy opens the trap. People run away and towards the mouse in a frenzy, the ultimate consequence that Jimmy is left pariahed from the event.

However, Roger comes up and congratulates Jimmy on such devilry, saying that he's always wanted to do that. Although, when Sally comes to ask Roger to dance, he "sheepishly, self-consciously" agrees, but avoids Jimmy's eyes as he does do.

Jimmy is in the happy position of having the plentiful leftovers at his command - an opportunity that he's planning to make the most of!

As for Roger, I guess girls aren't just soppy creatures after all!

Characters:

Jimmy
Roger
Mrs Manning
Sally
Sally's Mother

MIST Story Review: The House behind the Wood

The House behind the Wood is the sixth story from the compilation called MIST and other stories by Richmal Crompton.

Synopsis

Having run out of petrol, a good six miles from the nearest settlement, Monica, husband Frank, and their friend Harold are trying to see if there are any houses close by.
Harold sees a light in a window just behind the woods. All three trundle along a very muddy path tightly enclosed by trees and undergrowth. Having arrived at the cottage, no light can immediately be found, however through a bush they see the lighted window.
The door is eventually answered by a little wizened man, who reluctantly lets them stay the night. Having been showed to a room that they may share, Harold suddenly sees Monica in a new light. This woman that he has known his whole life is now exquisite to him. The caretaker then joins Harold and Frank in getting a few provisions from the car, they take the shortest route along the very muddy path.
Upon their return, it becomes obvious to Harold that Monica now returns his unspoken feelings. It becomes obvious to the caretaker too, who sets Harold up in another room.
In the middle of the night, the caretaker wakes Harold to say "She's in the garden waiting for you, sir.". Harold immediately rushes to meet his love and they run into the woods together, heading for the car. Just minutes later a furious Frank chases them with a stick with a mind to attack Harold, who has waited all evening for an excuse to strangle Frank's "thick red neck". A cackle from the house and a low moan from the road breaks the spell.

Monica has fainted, half in and half out of the car. Frank convinces himself they were all having nightmares and apologies profusely - to which Harold readily agrees. Dawn approaches and a cyclist takes and SOS to the nearest garage for petrol. They then head for the nearest pub before intending to return to collect their things and tip the caretaker of the 'unhealthy' house.
While Monica and Frank go upstairs, Harold hears the tale of this cottage from a maid that used to work there, who now works at the pub. She tells that Mr and Mrs Trammet lived in the house, but Mrs Trammet fell in love with Mr Trammet's cousin, Mr Moxton. The butler would send message between the two, but didn't like Mr Moxton.
When it came time to elope, the butler woke Mr Moxton to let him know that Mrs Trammet was waiting for him in the garden. However, he then told Mr Trammet what was occurring. The reason he told Mr Trammet are unknown, perhaps he didn't like Mr Moxton.
Mr Moxton strangled Mr Trammet to death, but not before receiving such a smash on the head that Mr Moxton died before trial. Mrs Trammet died within the year. The butler became the caretaker, but also died the previous year, of a kind of fit.
The barmaid tells Harold that the night before was the fifth anniversary of this terrible tragedy.

Monica and Frank return, with Monica avoiding Harold's eyes. Harold and Frank go to collect their things and cannot find anyone in the house. When they look at the muddy path, in an attempt to find the caretaker; the caretaker's footprints cannot be seen. 

 

Review
Richmal Crompton has a knack for taking the place we are supposed to feel safest: our home, and turning it against us with various nightmarish scenarios. The House Behind the Wood is no different.
Harold, who has known Monica his whole life and sees nothing in her, is suddenly besotted with her upon entry into this cursed abode. Frank is oblivious, however the all-seeing caretaker is not. While making Harold sleep in another room, he then tells Harold that "She's in the garden waiting for you" (interestingly not mentioning Monica by name, so likely the original words of that fateful night). As the evening progresses, you can really feel Harold's love for Monica being matched by his newfound hatred and eagerness to get rid of Frank.
Fortunately, for our cast of characters, all is well in the end - perhaps even better as Frank and Monica appear more in love than ever.
Perhaps, quite a soft ending to a story that was being set up for a vicious ending. Being told of previous events rather than living them always softens the blow and takes the emergency and vividity out of them.

To read the story, and the rest of the book, buy it from Amazon by clicking the cover below:

Jimmy Story Review: 1.2 Miss Pettigrew's Parrot

After a week of terrible incidents, Roger is banned from the family outing to the circus by this father. The straw to break the camels back was Roger kicking his ball through Miss Pettigrew's open window and knocking over he parrot's cage; leading to the escape of the parrot.

Jimmy is terribly worried by this and comes up with a plan to exchange the lost parrot with his tortoise (painted parrot colours) and one of Bobby's kittens (which will miaow like the parrot could).

By the time they have delivered the gifts to Miss Pettigrew's empty house, Mr Manning has called his wife with a change of heart: Roger can come along after all. However, first words must be had with Roger.

Jimmy seems concerned now, about the gifts he has left - a tortoise dripping with paint and a cat hidden in Miss Pettigrew's work basket. This increases when he overhears two women conversing about Miss Pettigrew's work basket being destroyed by a cat and her carpet stained by paint. It appears that she may be on the war path. While this worries Jimmy, they are at the circus, the whole family, and tomorrow is such a long way away!

Characters:

Mrs Manning
Mr Manning
Roger
Jimmy
Bobby

21.3 William's Day Off

Quote from the story
""You can't have any fun with a cow. I've tried"
- William

Ginger begins this adventure by telling William that "some sort of soci'ty" is paying from children from the slums are going to stay with Mrs. Camp at Eastbrook Farm. They've never seen cows or woods, or anything like that. Miss Milton's sister will have the slum children to tea on the first day, William things that the children will be better off in the slums. William, of course, votes that they take the children around the woods and cows.
The Outlaws are distracted by the news that Hubert Lane is selling piebald mice, given to him by an aunt but unwanted, for a shilling each. The outlaws actually have a shilling and head towards Hubert's house, the feud set aside for the present. However, their mission is rudely brought to an end when Hubert refuses to sell the one at any price. Mrs Lane suddenly appears before William can challenge Hubert's decision. Heading back down the road, the Outlaws hear Hubert shouting that he'd rather give the mice away than sell them one.
Conversation turns to making Hubert sell them a piebald mouse. Various schemes are shot down because it is now of all importance that Hubert not only sells the Outlaws a mouse, but is also seen to be selling them one.

The next day, the Outlaws go to Eastbrook Farm and take Bert and Syd out to visit various places. Of course, relations are cemented with the typical rough and tumble game that shows all parties that everyone is a good sport. The old barn then being the next location on the countryside tour, starting a fire and cooking a meal for their guests - of course including liquorice water.

Bert and Syd tell the Outlaws of the street gang they're members of back home. Their stories impress even the Outlaws. William then suggests a game of smugglers at the caves at Marleigh, but Bert and Syd remember they are due at Miss Milton's house. As William is known to do, he suggests that he takes the place of Bert and ( as Miss Milton's sister has seen all the other Outlaws) that Syd has a cold. Ginger, Henry, and Douglas are, typically, less than confident in William's abilities, but he ignores all objections and suggests that they all meet at the old barn so William can change clothes with Bert.

After making some changes and disguising himself, William manages to get past Miss Milton (the sister of regular Miss Milton) without a fuss - even managing to make her believe that slum kids don't know what grass is! Miss Milton treats William to a very poor tea of a single serving. Miss Milton sends for a local, well-behaved boy, to come and keep 'Bert' company - a certain Hubert Lane. William tries to make his escape, but cannot. However, William's disguise is so effective that Hubert doesn't actually recognise him as William! Although he does have his suspicions. Hubert tries to trick 'Bert' into breaking the tool shed window at William's house. However, William, when out of sight, slips into his house and changes into his usual attire and questions Hubert, who says the boy ran away from him - along with a multitude of other fabrications.

Hubert is now anxious that Bert has disappeared. William suggests that he may have fallen into the rain tub and drowned, scaring Hubert in the process, before finding that Bert isn't there! William then turns the situation to his advantage and requests one of those piebald mice from the beginning of the story. Hubert relents.

With his new piebald mouse in hand, Herbert helps William disguise himself as Bert. William, as Bert, and Hubert return to Miss Milton's house and hear her inviting someone and their little boy to meet the slum child - who she says looks better already after being out in the open air. This someone turns out to by Mrs. Brown.

While Hurbert and Miss Milton persist that the boy is Bert, Mrs Brown knows her son - and is validated when the real Bert shows up from his adventures in Marleigh (sent to give back the suit he was wearing).

While everyone talks over each other in an attempt to understand the situation, William knows just one thing; he has won this one - he has a piebald mouse.

Characters	Events
Ginger	Visit from slum children.
William
Henry	Places
Douglas	Hubert Lane's House
Hubert Lane	Miss Milton's House
Mrs Lane	Old Barn
Bert	William's House
Syd
Miss Milton   (sister)
Mrs Brown

MIST Story Review: Marlowes by Richmal Crompton

Marlowes is a short story published in MIST and other stories, recently republished as MIST and Other Ghost Stories.

Synopsis

This is a sweet story about the Armour family and their deep love for their house, Marlowes. We are beig told the story second hand, our narrator having been told the story by an American lady, staying at a hotel while repairs are made to Marlowes.
The American lady, and her husband Bill, had moved to England upon Bills' retirement and almost immediately found a Tudor manor house in Sussex. They also discovered that the house did not like them and seemed to view them as interlopers.
The local gossip, a Mrs Jones, is eventually coerced into revealing the history of the previous owners, the Armours. Eventually the last male, Gilbert, dies at a young age after being brought up by his aunt, Mrs Flowers (his parents had died when he was young). They had both cherished the house very much and put all of their time into it. However, after Gilbert died, Mrs Flowers could not afford the upkeep of the house and some distant relatives ordered doctors notes to have her set up in the local mental home.
After standing empty for an age, the house is then sold to our American couple, who are aware that Mrs Flowers has escaped once in the past and ended up at the front door of Marlowes. If is, therefore, no surprise, when she does so again and sees Bill as her Gilbert. Bill plays along, not willing to send her back to that place, even when questioned by a police officer.
The day is filled with Mrs Flowers recollections of Gilbert and of her own childhood; Bill filling the place of Gilbert, or her brother, depending on the story. As the day is coming to a close, she wants to sit in her favourite spot in the garden. Bill brings her blankets and cushions, before the couple leave her to rest a while. Upon their return, Bill notices that she is dead.
These days the gossip is aimed at them, but they don't mind, in that short time they had come to love Mrs Flowers - and the house now welcomed and loved them.

 

Review

This was such a sweet story. Everyone should have the choice of when and where to die, when possible. Mrs Flowers, in such a confused state since she has been forced to leave Marlowes, now recollects the childhood of the nephew she brought up on her own after his parents had died and her own childhood - which were clear as crystal. The feeling of welcome that the house gives Bill and his wife after their kindness towards Mrs Flowers must have been a massive relief. To be able to live in your own home, within that the fours walls that are supposed to bring you safety, without a sensation that they hate you instead made such a difference to the couple that they rarely leave the house.
 

 

To read the story, and the rest of the book, buy it from Amazon by clicking the cover below:

William Story Review: William's Unlucky Day, published in Undaunted.

William's Unlucky Day was written by Richmal Crompton for Bromley Civil Defence services and originally published in their newsletter: Arpeggio. At the time, Crompton was a trainee in the Communication Service and attached to No 4 Sub Report Centre.

She managed to write the story with only a few days notice before the newsletter was typed and stencilled.

Appearing in Undaunted makes for this story's first publication since that edition of the newsletter and we must thank Graham Reeves for including the story in his book.

The story sees William visiting his 'aunt' in Bromley for Christmas (The first and only time Richmal is 'in' a William story?). He has done all sorts of things that he thought might make her happy, but as William states: "people get made at me whatever I do" - and this is certainly the theme running through this story!

William then attempts to appear as a hero to his aunt, with rather predictable results. He comes across two women sharing that day's code word and then following one of the women comes across a room containing several people on the telephone. To him, they are spewing utter rubbish. They're telling the person on the receiving end of 'considerable panic', an 'unexploded bomb in Southlands Road', and a wrecked aeroplane in the Hight Street. As William has walked these streets that day, he knows these reports to be untrue. However, in true William fashion, he aims to out this nest of spies.

He see's the man in charge, who he names 'X' and follows him home. Calling the police and telling them to arrive in 30 minutes, William gains entrance into the home of X and is found by the policeman he called, searching through X's possessions (Mr. Godstone as we come to know him).

William, of course, attempts to explain his actions, but ends up at the police station to be collected by his aunt. Mr Godstone has been let off by providing what William considers to be a 'flimsy and trivial excuse', that of practice messages.

He genuinely expects that when the police visit his aunt's home shortly after, that they have come to deliver their apologies. However, William's day has gotten even worse: Light is showing through his bedroom curtains.
 

Poor William! I should imagine that William and his aunt, both, will be glad when he returns home.

Jimmy Story Review: 1.1 Jimmy Turns the Tables

In this, the very first, story of Jimmy; we begin with a description of Jimmy, his brother, and The Three Musketeers.

The Three Musketeers have decided to declare war on The Mouldies, Archie Mould's gang, and decide on using the kitchen of the blitzed house as their headquarters.

Jimmy (Jim this time as he's not really wanted for this war), is posted as guard of a signpost, but is quickly captured by Archie when the others leave.

Jimmy hates the idea of being captured, especially as he's Roger's brother, who is the leader of the Three Musketeers. He feels that the shame would stay with him his entire life. He gets Archie talking, who reveals that he's going to keep Archie in the coal shed at his home.
Archie tells his how thrilled he is at this idea as he's never allowed to play in his own coal shed. Jimmy says that he's glad it's not the kitchen of the blitzed house - as that has rats. This gives Archie the idea of doing just that.

The story closes with Archie leading Jimmy into the aforementioned kitchen, himself now the prisoner!

Characters:

Jimmy
Roger
Charles
Bill
Toothy
Archie Mould

William (1962-1963)

'Over to William' (1956) was followed up with the two season 'William', this time on the BBC.

Season 1 had the well-known Dennis Waterman playing Just William. All episodes, apart from episode 2 'William and the Leopard Hunter' are lost.

Season 1 episodes:
William and the Wonderful Present
William and the Leopard Hunter
William Finds a Job
William the Counterspy
William and the Parrots
William and the American Tie
The 30 minute episodes were broadcast on Saturdays between 26/05/1962 and 30/06/1962.

Season 2 saw Waterman replaced by Denis Gilmore, but retained the rest of the main cast, including Gillian Gostling as Violet. The episode titles are:
William the Peacemaker
William and the Little Girl
William and the Three Bears
William and the Sleeping Major
William and the Real Laurence
William Goes Shopping
The 30 minute episodes were broadcast on Saturdays between 30/03/1963 and 04/05/1963

It was adapted by C.E. Webber and produced by Leonard Chase.

 

MIST Story Review: Rosalind by Richmal Crompton

Rosalind is a short story published in MIST and other stories, recently republished as MIST and Other Ghost Stories.

 

Synopsis

Moira Houghton is looking out of her bedroom window, while dressing for dinner. Watching her children play, with Billy, the children's father and her husband, and the children's governess, Lindy.
She is considering how much she loves her family, including the governess, when her father-in-law knocks at the door. This break Moira's time of privacy, but she doesn't mind so much, she loves Billy's father too. He gives her a Spanish comb, given to his brother a long time ago. Placing it in her hair, he says how delightful she looks and tells her to keep it.

Still wearing the Spanish comb, Moira looks out of the window again. The nurse has gone to collect the childen to bring them indoors. However she sees that Billy and Lindy do not follow, first they walk down the flower border, then they enter the walled kitchen garden.

Moira feels a suspicion now, towards Billy. This turns into a savage "primitive uncontrollable passion".
The nurse comes to tell Moira that the children are in bed, telling her how feverish she looks. She briefly goes to see them, upon her return Billy is in the bedroom and readying himself for dinner.
Billy is all compliments for Moira and how she looks with the Spanish comb in her hair. Moira immediately thinks that he is playing a game and trying to get around her suspicions with flattery. She refuses to go for a picnic the next day, but says Billy can go with Lindy. 

At dinner, Moira eats nothing and this is commented upon. She feels she notices glances between Billy and Lindy when they feels her attention is elsewhere. Her father-in-law suggests that a black lace scarf would be ideal to go with the comb. Moira cannot keep the jealousy at bay: thoughts of murder have entered her heart. She'll make them both suffer for what they've done.

Mr Houghton, the father-in-law, has now remembered the story of how his brother was given the comb. It was once owned by a beautiful, but insanely jealous, woman. Her husband was devoted to her, however the woman had killed at least one girl. Eventually, she killed her husband and her children, before committing suicide. The sister of the woman was afraid of the comb and passed it on. The comb is heard to fall from Moira's head as she faints in her chair. 

Back in her room, being warmed by the fire, Billy fusses over her. She feels as if she had never been suspicious of Billy at all. That she has awakened from a nightmare. He tells her that Lindy, in her girl-like way, was collecting flowers for the breakfast table. Love-in-a-mist, Moira's favourite. Lindy was also talking about getting her a black lace scarf for her birthday. He wonders if they should have employed an older governess, called Lindy, "such a kid". 

Moira says that she loves Lindy and enquires the time of the picnic tomorrow. At this point a housekeeper brings the Spanish comb. Moira asks Billy if he loves her, he replies in the affirmative. She throws the comb in the fire and blazes up in a leaping tongue of flame.

Review

The last two pages of this story brought tears to my eyes. Heath under the pressure of needing to conform, to meet societies expectations regarding a wife, pushes Rosalind to the side. He could have handled it in a much better way, but is too childlike to do so. He then brings Helen into the equation. Our narrator tells this story, seemingly, without any emotion. However, the desciption of the events (told by him as accurately as he can recall them), is emotive enough. Rosalind and the baby already dead and beckoning him, Heath decides to join them. Then Helen is so grieve stricken that she has a break down. 

All are innocent, but Heath less so. The narrator plays a waiting game, which had been his plan all along with regards to Helen and gets his reward for doing so.

A sad tale well told. Thank you Richmal Crompton for your awesome ability to write in such a varied and skilled manner - this is a story that should be well known, but sadly isn't.

To read the story, and the rest of the book, buy it from Amazon by clicking the cover below:

21.2 Williams Goodbye Present

Quote from the story
"Hubert Lane" said William, spitting the name out as if it were some noxious draught."
- William

Hubert Lane's Uncle Paul has been visiting from Australia and seems to have much preferred the Outlaws to Hubert and hs friends, taking them on long walks, teaching them new ways of making fire and bushcraft. Uncle Paul has promised William a clasp knife, which he has ordered from the shop in Hadley. With this William is told he can make wooden boats as good as Uncle Paul's. Hurbert and Uncle Paul are to collect it, with Hubert bringing it back, but Hubery has a faint smile on his face...
An impatient William visits the Lane's later that day to claim his knife, however it becomes obvious that Hubert has decided to keep the knife for himself, along with th e pistol that he'd been given from uncle Paul. 

William turns to Mrs Lane for help, but Hubert lies through his teeth and claims uncle Paul gave both items to him. Of course, Mrs Lane believes her little Hubert and tells William he is telling a string of lies.

William is ordered to leave by Mrs Lane. He does, realising that there was no other official channel to seek justice, as while his parents may believe him, their dislike for such weapons would mean they wouldn't act.

William heads to the barn to reveal the disappointing news. The outlaws discuss ways to extricate the knife for half an hour, eventually parting ways when they realised there was nothing to do. William approached his parents, who displayed sympathy, but again nothing was done.

Upon remembering that Hubert still believed in fairies and witches and spells, William called the outlaws to the old barn and formed a plan. Hubert had also hatched a plan to try and trick the Outlaws into becoming friendly with him.

Herbert's plan involved inviting the Outlaws to an imaginary party, assuming that this would make them forget the knife. As William and Ginger approached his house he invited them. They eager to get to Hubert for their plan, agreed in a naueasously pleasant way. Told him to keep the knife and invited him to play, telling him they had a secret to tell him, then leading unsuspecting Hubert to the old barn.
William reveals that his secret involved an old woman muttering to herself near the old barn. Hubert takes the woman to be a witch, and the words to be a spell. William explains that the spell involved anyone walking over a burned patch having their home turned into a hen-coop and the people in it turned to hens. Hubert having reviously walked on the burnt patch is overcome with anxiety that his house is now a hen-coop, refuses to check if it has been so converted. Ginger checks for him from the stile and tells him that only a hen-coop remains.

Douglas and Henry turn up at different times exclaming that Hubert's house has gone and a hen-coop is all that remains, with a brown and white hen (Mrs Lane) and a hen leaving the house (his father leaving for the train station).

The Outlaws explain that when Hubert is turned into a hen, he'll have to eat grubs and worms. He becomes distressed at the thought. Conveniently, William remembers the second part of the spell: "An' nver shall be free of the spell, Till he throws into here somethin' that cuts an', somethin' that shoots as well".

William examines this part of the spell with a judicial air as Hubert pulls out the knife asking if it would do. William pretends not to know that the "somethin' that shoots as well" could refer to, leading Hubert to pull out the pistol from his other pocket.

Not surprisingly, when Ginger next checks from the stile; Hubert's house has magically returned to its former glory!

The next day, when Hubert asks them where they managed to get a clasp-knife and a pistol, William replies with "The fairies gave them us".

Characters	Places
Hubert Lane	William's Village
William Brown	Hubert's house
Uncle Paul (Hubert Lane's uncle)	Old Barn
Mrs Lane
Ginger	Other appearances of this story
Douglas	None known at present

Over to William (1956)

This 13 episode series, starring Keith Crane as William Brown, was made by a Associated Television for ITV. 

The series was broadcast between 20/09/1956 and 13/12/1956. 

 

The episode titles are:

Violet Elizabeth Wins
Claude Finds a Companion
William and the Ebony Hairbrush
The Brown Check Sports Coat
Aunt Louie's Birthday Present
William and the Three-Forty
William the Bold
William's Lucky Day
William and the Tramp
Cats and White Elephants
Esmeralda Takes a Hand
The Begging Letter
William Meets a Professor

All episodes are believed to be lost.

I've attached some press clippings from the Daily Mirror from the time.

Jimmy Story Review: 1.29 Sandy Does His Turn

In this enjoyable story, the events revolve around Jimmy's dog, Sandy. Jimmy, his older brother Roger, and Bobby have been training Sandy for the children's Dog Show event in the local flower show.

Roger, who is also playing the part of Robin Hood, gives Jimmy and Bobby a list of tricks to practice with Sandy before going for a final rehearsal. He reminds them that Sandy was only washed the previous day, so they musn't get him dirty...

Jimmy and Bobby try in ernest to have Sandy performing these tricks for the show, but he upsets everything in his path and successfully manages to mis-perform every trick!

In an attempt to calm Sandy, the boys take him for a walk. Unfortunately, Sandy burrows into a ditch and comes out drenched in black slime. Jimmy reluctantly realises that they will need to wash, or at least attempt to wash, an unwilling Sandy. Of course, as soon as they have soap on him, Sandy rushes out into the back garden, covering himself in grass clippings on his way out into the countryside.

Their attempts to find Sandy fail and they head off to the show, in case he's there. Bobby skillfully avoids revealing their plight to Roger, who had just come out of the Robin Hood tent, when the play begins.

As the play is being performed a contrite Sandy appears on stage bringing the present of a rat to Roger. A burst of clapping in the audience indicates to Sandy that all is forgiven, however Jimmy and Bobby realise that they will not enjoy the same fate. As Roger looks around for them, they have vanished!

Characters:

Jimmy

Roger

Bobby

Miss Pettigrew

MIST Story Review: The Spanish Comb by Richmal Crompton

The Spanish Comb is a short story published in MIST and other stories, recently republished as MIST and Other Ghost Stories.


Synopsis

Moira Houghton is looking out of her bedroom window, while dressing for dinner. Watching her children play, with Billy, the children's father and her husband, and the children's governess, Lindy.
She is considering how much she loves her family, including the governess, when her father-in-law knocks at the door. This break Moira's time of privacy, but she doesn't mind so much, she loves Billy's father too. He gives her a Spanish comb, given to his brother a long time ago. Placing it in her hair, he says how delightful she looks and tells her to keep it.
Still wearing the Spanish comb, Moira looks out of the window again. The nurse has gone to collect the childen to bring them indoors. However she sees that Billy and Lindy do not follow, first they walk down the flower border, then they enter the walled kitchen garden.
Moira feels a suspicion now, towards Billy. This turns into a savage "primitive uncontrollable passion".
The nurse comes to tell Moira that the children are in bed, telling her how feverish she looks. She briefly goes to see them, upon her return Billy is in the bedroom and readying himself for dinner.
Billy is all compliments for Moira and how she looks with the Spanish comb in her hair. Moira immediately thinks that he is playing a game and trying to get around her suspicions with flattery. She refuses to go for a picnic the next day, but says Billy can go with Lindy.
At dinner, Moira eats nothing and this is commented upon. She feels she notices glances between Billy and Lindy when they feels her attention is elsewhere. Her father-in-law suggests that a black lace scarf would be ideal to go with the comb. Moira cannot keep the jealousy at bay: thoughts of murder have entered her heart. She'll make them both suffer for what they've done.
Mr Houghton, the father-in-law, has now remembered the story of how his brother was given the comb. It was once owned by a beautiful, but insanely jealous, woman. Her husband was devoted to her, however the woman had killed at least one girl. Eventually, she killed her husband and her children, before committing suicide. The sister of the woman was afraid of the comb and passed it on. The comb is heard to fall from Moira's head as she faints in her chair.
Back in her room, being warmed by the fire, Billy fusses over her. She feels as if she had never been suspicious of Billy at all. That she has awakened from a nightmare. He tells her that Lindy, in her girl-like way, was collecting flowers for the breakfast table. Love-in-a-mist, Moira's favourite. Lindy was also talking about getting her a black lace scarf for her birthday. He wonders if they should have employed an older governess, called Lindy, "such a kid".
Moira says that she loves Lindy and enquires the time of the picnic tomorrow. At this point a housekeeper brings the Spanish comb. Moira asks Billy if he loves her, he replies in the affirmative. She throws the comb in the fire and blazes up in a leaping tongue of flame.

Review
I liked this story as it was left open to interpretation. Did the comb have some power over the wearing, an ability to make them so passionately jealous of their partners that they would commit murder upon anyone getting too close? Or did Moira have a brief moment of clarity and saw Billy for who he really was? Only to faint after being told that the previous owner of the comb had murdered due to jealousy. Then while recovering, be told how innocent their conversation was and suggesting that a new governess should be employed - everything to suggest that Billy would do anything to make Moira happy again.
Whether Billy really is a dedicated husband, or a well practiced adulterer, is, in my view, entirely up to the reader. What happens in these 14 pages is a story that grips the reader as Moira struggles with a jealousy that could have led to murder.

To read the story, and the rest of the book, buy it from Amazon by clicking the cover below:

21.1 William and the A.R.P

Quote from the story
"I bet they'll be jolly grateful to us when a war comes along. I bet we'll save the country while they're messin' about tryin' to remember where they put their gas masks"
- William

William and Ginger set up their own A.R.P (Junior Branch) group as their parents won't let them join in wearing gas masks. The first meeting held in the old barn leads to Arabella Simpkin leaving in a huff as her small sister started crying. William proceeded to tell the group about persistent gases. The meeting becoming disorderly at the mention of bombs smelling of pear drops and a disagreement about sweets! After more members leaving, Henry brings out bandaging equipment. Strangly for William, he acts very much like an adult when a bandaging fight ensues and only returns to his old self when Victor Jameson lassoes him from behind. However this fight inevitably leads for more members leaving! Next is practicing wearing gas masks, which they haven't got - so the all rush to Henry's to use flowerpots as masks instead; again we witness the descent into 'war', leaving in short shrift, a littering of fragments where flowerpots used to be. With yet more members shed, out of fear of the trouble they'll be in for destroying the flowerpot, only a few remain. The final practice was "detramination", whereby Ginger's mother finds them all naked on the lawn wrestling, and playing with the garden hose.

It's not until a local blackout that the allure of the A.R.P enters his mind again. He discovers that there would be a need to remove children from crowded cities to safer places. Considering Hadley to meet this description, he endeavours to investigate how best to remove children to his own village during the war. Coming across the twins, Hector and Herbert; William explains the situation. The twins are excited at the prospect of being evacuated and William takes them to his village.
Upon showing them the way to his unoccupied house, they convince him to let them in. It becomes increasingly apparent to William that Hector and Herbert think that they have literally been evacuated. This is clarified when they suggest that they need to go and get their things from home!
Miss Milton visits to drop rice off for Mrs. Brown's Pound Day. She decides to write a note to Mrs Brown and inevitably hears the twins, however William tries to convince her that the sounds are rats and a bit of wind! Miss Milton proudly decides that she's having her first manifestation, a gift that allows her to hear voices everywhere.

Mrs Monks follows shortly after with her Pound Day donation (yet more rice) and to leave a note for Mrs Brown. Miss Thompson follows, with more rice, and yet another note is written. All the while, the twins are still in the basement, being strangely quiet. Before William can return the twins to their rightful home, his mother arrives home. Clearly frustrated that no one can think of anything but rice, she suggests a nice cosy tea with William. Before making it clear that she won't do anything else before drinking a cup of tea, William attempts to get her to lie down for a rest and then to check the shed for tools he's sure have been stolen. At this point Miss Milton returns, to chec her new found ability, which seemed to have left her when she exited William's garden gate.

Enter Mrs Monk and Miss Thompson and the reason for the quietness of the twins becomes clear. They've taken Mrs Monk's purse and diary from her bag, and the trimming from Miss Thompson's hat. With William in the prescence of the adult-visitors each time, clearly it can't have been him!
It's at this moment that noises occur from down below. Mrs Brown orders William to the police station and locks the cellar door. However, when childish laughter is heard, they realise it is children.
Mrs Monks, a sunday-school teacher, marches down the cellar to deal with the twins. She is seen as the 'enemy' and is pelted with pickled eggs and upon her retreat shouts of "We're bombing the enemy" are heard.

William returns with what he believes is a plausible explanation, however before voicing it, his mother directs him to retrieve the twins. Ethel and Robert fresh from their ARP training, bandage Hector's head and decontaminate Herbert.

In typical William fashion, as Mrs Brown turns to confront him, he has vanished. He'd decided to evacuate himself!

Characters	Places
William Brown	William's Village
Ginger	Hadley
Henry	William's Home
Douglas
Victor Jameson	Other appearances of this story
Ronald Bell	William at War
Arabella Simpkin
Arabella's sister
Hector
Herbert
Mrs Brown
Mr Brown
Miss Milton
Mrs Monk
Miss Louisa Thompson

MIST Story Review: Strange by Richmal Crompton

Strange is a short story published in MIST and other stories, recently republished as MIST and Other Ghost Stories.


Synopsis

We begin with Gregory, our hero, telling an unnamed character that one of the strangest things that had ever happened to him, had happened at Tallis Court, the home of his wife's parents.

Gregory, an artist, was engaged to Nina, the daughter of Sir and Lady Lennox; the owners of Tallis Court. He had gone there to spend a week with Nina, when her brother announced that he had invited someone outside of the "small and unelastic" visiting list. His mother was uncertain about this admission from Gerald, but the new visitor, a man named Strange was soon admitted into the house and announced. Strange spent longer looking at Nina and Gregory than the others present.

Gregory was attempting to keep Ninas interest by giving her an update about the house they were building for their married life, and a chest with a secret lock. However, Strange had not only captivated those he was overtly speaking to, but also Nina who Gregory was sure he was trying to gain the attention of. After Strange's story about his time in Greece, everyone in attendance was enamoured, enthralled, and enraptured by this newcomer.

Not only was Strange a social chameleon, becoming a sportsman, a scholar, an eternal child in want of mothering, or a practial joker; he was a multi-talented muscian, with the whole party hypnotised and motionless at every note he played.

The only thing Strange won't do is attend the shoot. Even when he sees those partaking on their return, he displays no look of recognition and changes his path to avoid them. The only problem is, he is taken with Nina. It seems that Nina has no power or choice in this, enthralled by Strange as she is. Gregory struggles to fight for her, as he too, is taken by the mystique of Strange.

Gregory watches Strange and Nina play tennis, equating it to making love. He watches as they become closer. Lady Lennox asks her son to invite Strange to stay longer than a week as "A week is so soon over".

After tennis, Strange asks Gregory if Miss Nina is his fiancee, displaying an offensive grin. As Gregory nods, Strange retorts "I shouldn't have guessed it".

The night-time scene, with Strange so beautifully playing Pan's pipes, triggers the end of this dream-like week. Gregory sees, in the moonlight, that Strange has pointed ears - generally hidden by his curly hair. A cold thrill of horror creeps over him, understanding how Strange could charm a soul. Nina, wearing a white silk wrap, goes to join Strange and dances; gliding through the garden.

Gregory joins, telling Nina to return to her bedroom. But this command alone isn't why she returns, Strange has released her. Gregory pleads with Strange to cease playing.

Strange replies with "You've spoilt it, it's no fun". Strange is frustrated that Gregory didn't respond with violence. He becomes saddened that Gregory has seen that he has brought Gregory "something", this something is what others have never seen.

Strange is gone the next morning. All, including Gregory, are saddened. Nina wonders if he came at all, or if it was all just a dream. The final sentence reveals that it was true as Pan's pipes are heard in the distance.



Review


This is a story that is so different to any I'd read in the past. It was interesting to read, but sadly didn't have much of an effect. Whether Strange was real or not, in the end, didn't seem to matter. There are always people in life that take prime importance, for a short time, in the life of our beloved. However, these people, however charming, are often found to be hollow - emotional tourists - who either vanish or become less than nothing in time.

Unfortunately, in this one, I felt that Crompton didn't capture my interest. This creature (Pan himself?) wanted to cause trouble, but didn't succeed. Gregory couldn't muster the required strength to fight for his love, but somehow ended up married to her anyway. What was it that I missed? Why did Strange relent so easily; perhaps without a fight there was no point? Perhaps I need to read this story again after I've had time to digest it.

To read the story, and the rest of the book, buy it from Amazon by clicking the cover below:

Radio Play: The Mystery of the Elms

The only known remaining complete recording of a Just William radio play is the 1947 "The Mystery of the Elms". The play was adapted from The Mystery of Oaklands, which appeared as the first story in "William" (10.1) .

The play, number 55 of 99, and episode 20 of series two, was first broadcast on 4 February 1947.The script for the play, which was written by Richmal Crompton, appears in volume three of David Shutte's books on the William plays for radio.

William was played by John Clark in this episode, as he was for the first 61 episodes.


In the story, William and Ginger, are discussing being detectives, like from the mystery books, and sussing out if a murder has taken place. Of course, they hear Colonel Messiter's house and hear him having an animated discussion with his niece, Jenny. The Colonel is saying that the gardener needs to get what's coming to him. While William and Ginger return to their homes for lunch, the Colonel speaks to his gardener, who he is displeased with as he hasn't touched the rhubard yet. He discovers that the gardener's mother is due for an operation and has his thoughts elsewhere. The Colonel sends the gardener off to be with his mother.

Upon their return, William and Ginger, at this time joined by Violet Elizabeth, cannot find the gardener anywhere. William decides he will dress up as the gardener and confront the Colonel and say "Do you know me", with Ginger saying that anything the Colonel says will be taken in reference against him.

The three children are taken for burgalars in Benson, the gardener's cottage. The Colonel and others go to confront them. Seeing the mess that the children have made, take the cottage as being ransacked int he search for Benson's money. William and Ginger enact their confrontation at the Colonel opens the bedroom door. Many voices speak over each other as the scene descends into chaos and the play ends.

I've embedded the play below, for your listening pleasure:


A short video of John Clark around the time he was playing William Brown has been made available by British Pathé and I have embedded it below:

MIST Story Review: The Bronze Statuette

The Bronze Statuette is the first in a collection of stories that is part of MIST and other stories, recently republished as MIST and Other Ghost Stories.

Synopsis
The Bronze Statuette is a short story that revolves around Marian Hastings. Prior to the events at Denvers House, Mariam was shown to be a largely undeveloped woman. She enjoyed house parties, playing tennis, and exchanging below average wit with her fiance, Harold Menzies.
After Marian and friends arrive at Denvers, Lord Cranburn showed the party a "little bronze statue" which represented a young god. Marian accepts the offer to hold the statue and seems to have become entranced by the object, asking for Lord Cranburn to leave it in the room when he returns to his study.
At this point Marian is a changed woman, by turns silent and happy, but a shrill that was forced and sounded hysterical. She would not let Harold kiss her that night and later, Lord Cranburn, discovers her back in the smoking room, holding the statue. "What are you doing with my statue, Miss Hastings?" he saids, in a low and gentle voice so different from her own, she replied "It's not yours - it's mine  -it's always been mine!".
The next morning the party visit the temple of Apollo at the end of the garden, which Lord Cranburn had brought brick by brick back from Greece - all apart from Mariam, who ragged and screamed at her friends before they left - an odd turn of events for a social lamb. She sits pretending to read, all the while gazing at the small greenish-bronze statue. That night she breaks off her engagement, without reason, with Harold.
Harold, understandably upset, is staring out of his window that night. He sees "a gold cloak slipping round the corner of the house". He recognises the cloak as Marian's. He follows her through a torrent of rain and lightning. She stops in front of the temple, speaks words of which we only receive broken fragments, apart from "Apollo".
We hear the final moments from Harold, at a later time, while talking to Cynthia, who he would marry a year later. He says that there was a flash of lightning, but he doesn't think it was lightning; rather a figure, which hovered over her. She seemed to have raised her arms and face to it. But this is all we receive, Harold cannot describe the rest, even to his dying day. Cynthia feels that it was very sad for Mariam, but Lord Cranburn simply replies "Was it?, I wonder".


Review
What I enjoyed about this story was the fullness in which the situation is set up in such a short story (seven pages) and the unreliable description of how it all ends. Mariam quickly turns from a happy-go-lucky girl, going with the flow; to an angry loner who only has eyes for this mysterious object that has suddenly entered her life. We are left to think what we like about this situation. We can go with the supernatural, or we could consider that Mariam is having a mental health episode - one that ends with disasterious consequences.

To read the story, and the rest of the book, buy it from Amazon by clicking the cover below: