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“Once your lessons are done, you are at leisure to enjoy the entire day with your friend. Indeed, this brings me to my purpose in asking to see you.” Darcy took Ben by the hand and encouraged him to have a seat by the fireplace.

“Ben, I need you to understand that your study time is intended solely for you and Mr. Coolidge. I am afraid Samuel’s presence comes at your expense. The time Mr. Coolidge is spending with Samuel is time he might otherwise be spending with you.”

“What I have found is quite the opposite. You see, I had been spending part of my time teaching Samuel to read and write and add and subtract. I do not agree that it takes time away from my lessons—it adds to my lessons.”

“Ben, this really is not a matter for debate.”

“Da, why can you not see that this arrangement works out best for all concerned? The time I spend with Samuel on his lessons is time not spent at leisure.”

“I suppose the only fallacy in your argument is the premise that you need spend any time at all attending to Samuel’s education.”

“Oh, but I truly must. Else he will never be able to fully enjoy the tales of the knights of the roundtable on his own. He must continue to rely upon my reading it to him. He would much rather read to himself.”

“Ben, did Samuel ask you to take such a task upon yourself?”

Ben cast his eyes downward. “Not in so many words.”

“Then how do you know it is important to him?”

“Because! One day, I came across him in the stable poring over the pages of The Knights of the Roundtable, struggling to make out the words—with no success whatsoever.”

“Your favourite book? How did it come to be in the stables of all places?”

“Well, it used to be my favourite book. It now belongs to Samuel. He told me it is his favourite. But what good is there in having a favourite book if one cannot read a single word it says?”

“I will allow that your reasoning in that regard is sound, and it is a good thing that you wish to see young Samuel establish the same deep appreciation of the legend of King Arthur that you enjoy. However, I will not allow that it is Mr. Coolidge’s job to see that it comes about. Samuel is no longer allowed to attend your lessons with you, and you must refrain from encouraging him to do so.”

“But, Da?”

“No buts, young man. I believe your friend is waiting for you at the stables. You must not continue to keep him waiting.”

Ben remained seated as if refusing to be dismissed so easily as that. How he reminded Darcy of Elizabeth in that regard.

“I should have thought you would have been very proud of my gallantry towards Samuel.”

“Ben, I am proud of you.”

“Is it not a very noble thing to want to encourage him? Is a proper education not just as important for my friend as it is for me?”

“Your efforts might be described as very noble. However, there are many young children who live amongst the tenants who might benefit equally.”

“Then what say you we go about teaching them all?”

“Educating the masses is not something that I have ever given serious consideration, Ben, and for the time being, neither should you. No—my purpose is to do all in my power to see that you are reared as a proper gentleman so that when you reach the age of majority and take your rightful place amongst elite society, you shall be properly prepared.”

Elizabeth walked into the room. “Ben, I had not expected to find you here. I thought you and Samuel might be off enjoying some new adventure.”

“Mama, I am glad you are here. Da and I cannot agree over a matter that has to do with my friend Samuel and me.”

Elizabeth placed her hand on her chest. “What can any of that have to do with me, Ben?”

Darcy said, “I suppose Ben thinks that your opinion of the matter will sway me in my stance.”

“Indeed, Mama, you understand why it is so important that Samuel spends time with me in class.”

“Perhaps you might give me time alone with your father, young man.”

He accepted Elizabeth’s proffered embrace, and then walked towards the door. Pausing, he turned and faced Darcy. “Good day, Father.”