The Man From St. David's

Chapter 1

In St. David’s, there was no family as popular as the Quickwells. The Quickwells were exceedingly rich and owned a large house, which was situated on a hill called “Quickwell Hill”. The head of the family, Mr. Edward Quickwell, was a very agreeable man and people regularly visited Quickwell Hill to talk with him, see his wife, and enjoy his two sons and daughter. Mr. Quickwell was once a merchant and used his friendly nature to stay one step ahead of his competition. He was very successful, and finding himself rich and young, purchased Quickwell Hill, all the while searching for a woman with a disposition just as agreeable as his own. His search did not last long.

The Pen family, having heard of him, recommended him to meet their eldest daughter, Samantha. Miss Samantha Pen was just as friendly as Edward Quickwell, if not more so, and the two were soon married. The Pen family benefited tremendously from the union, for they were not rich, but certainly not as poor as they claimed to be. Because of this union, Mrs. Pen could at last afford the lavish life-style she had always longed for, due to the fact that she never left the new Mrs. Quickwell in peace, constantly urging her to write her check after check. Mr. Quickwell had great patience on the matter, but eventually it was proven that even he could be “disagreeable”, and at last Mrs. Pen had exhausted her good fortune and was turned away. Mr. Quickwell, finding his purse significantly lighter due to the incessant pleas of his mother in law and the generosity of his wife, prepared himself for another run at selling merchandise, but he had to postpone the endeavour because of the birth of his first son, Jack Quickwell. Jack grew into a healthy, strong boy and was soon followed by his younger brother, Ronald Quickwell.

Quickwell Hill was now filled with cries and giggles, and Mr. Quickwell decided that he could not bear to travel any more and be separated from his two darling sons, so he postponed his trips. After two months, the Quickwell’s were near bankruptcy and Mr. Quickwell had no choice but to leave and conduct business. He lamented this reality and hesitated to leave his young sons, but assured his wife he wouldn't be gone long.

Mr. and Mrs. Pen, finding the “unfriendly” Mr. Quickwell gone, flocked to visit their daughter nearly every day. The couple attached themselves to their grandsons, leaving every day only at midnight, and returning the next morning before breakfast. The frequent visits tired Mrs. Quickwell, and she asked them to come only once a week. Mr. and Mrs. Pen, finding their daughter unmovable on the subject, agreed, but the laughter of their grandsons were so greatly missed, that before Mrs. Quickwell knew what was happening, they had made up their mind to move into Quickwell Hill.

Mrs. Quickwell protested strongly, but her words fell on closed ears. In no time, three carriages arrived at Quickwell Hill. Mr. and Mrs. Pen bounded out of the first carriage, greeted their daughter and swept their grandsons up into their arms. Mrs. Quickwell knew that something needed to be done, and cleverly “fainted” on the spot. Unfortunately, this had the exact opposite reaction she had wanted and now, the Pen’s, concerned over their daughter’s health, resolved to extend their stay even longer and made plans to hire a nurse. Feeling extraordinarily dejected and overwhelmed, Mrs. Quickwell grew genuinely ill.

At this time, Mr. Quickwell was heading for Spain (and had been gone for an entire year) when he received the news that his dear wife was suffering. He set out for England with haste, and when he reached Quickwell Hill, he was very hungry and tired. Comforted and encouraged by the presence of her husband, Mrs. Quickwell began to recover. As Mrs. Quickwell’s strength returned, Mr. Quickwell took action and sent the Pen’s back to their home along with their three carriages of possessions. Mrs. Check, the old nurse who was hired to provide care for Mrs. Quickwell, was kept on staff because her character was seemingly flawless, and she had become a vital friend to Mrs. Quickwell.

Now, due to Mr. Quickwells hard work overseas, the Quickwells found their purses heavier and were able to put off work for a little longer and enjoy their sons. It was not long after this that Grace Quickwell was born.

Promised to be notified the moment a new grandchild was born, the Pen’s were summoned immediately and appeared within the hour. They resolved between themselves to spoil the baby girl as much as their limited funds would allow. The Pen’s were allowed to stay until dinner and then they were sent away.

The happiness their growing family brought upon the Quickwells is beyond description. The boys soon adopted their father’s charm, character, and friendliness, and the daughter grew in grace and wit, just like her mother. Mr. Quickwell made sure that his daughter remained self-controlled and tempered, to the shock of Mrs. Pen, who frequently proclaimed “A little indulgence and freedom is necessary for small girls. My mother made sure to spoil me so that I could learn to be independent and strong- minded.” to which Mr. Quickwell would reply “It is not necessary for a girl of eight years to be strong minded, and as for independence, that will come later, right now she needs to be completely submissive to my authority.” to which Mrs. Pen would always reply with a scoff, and walk away.

When the boy’s were nine, Mr. Quickwell decided it was time to introduce them to society, and started taking them with him on his walks around town. The walks were very beneficial for Mr. Quickwell. Not only did he get exercise, see his friends, and marvel at creation, but he also got to spend quality time with his sons. He would study their characters, and marvel that they resembled his own so greatly. Both boys were agreeable, charming, friendly, handsome, and social. Mr. Quickwell was happy to show his sons off to his friends, and soak up the praises they earned him. In just a couple years time, both sons became the talk of St.Davids. They were held to be the very example of all that is proper and good, and the standard that all other boys were judged by. Miss Grace Quickwell was also praised for her wit and propriety , which brought her mother much pride and satisfaction. Two full years of satisfaction and joy made their mark on the hearts of the Quickwell family, but they were not to last.

Mr. Quickwell had just returned from St.Davids with some garden seeds, when he was approached by his wife, who told him dinner was almost ready. Mr. Quickwell thanked her and sat down to rest. Jack soon appeared and sat down by his father. Seeing Jack without his brother worried Mr. Quickwell, for his sons were seldom ever separated. “My dear, where is Ronald?” called Mr. Quickwell to his wife “Well, you know that my father has wanted to get to know our sons better...” began Mrs. Quickwell. Startled, Mr. Quickwell jumped up “Good lord, did he come by?” “Oh yes, he was very civil and said he would return Ronald after dinner.” Mr. Quickwell was gone with a groan. It was just a quick ride to Pen Hall, and Mr. Quickwell conquered it without much difficulty. He flew up the Hall’s steps, brushed past Mrs. Pen, entered Mr. Pen’s study, grabbed his son, brushed past a glaring Mrs. Pen, and left Pen Hall. They arrived at Quickwell Hill not two minutes later.

Dinner was eaten in silence, and when it was finished, Jack and Ronald were sent to bed. “Mr. Pen shall not have any more private audiences with my sons.” said Mr. Quickwell as he lit his pipe. “I understand,” said Mrs. Quickwell “but he is their grandfather, and he will have time with them whether you like it or not.” Mr. Quickwell let out a sigh. “Dear husband, I must ask you something,” “I am listening,” “I must know your opinion of my father...” “My opinion does not matter, and it might displease you” “I value your opinion and it will not displease me to hear it, please tell me” Mr. Quickwell sighed, and spent a minute moving the pipe around in his mouth. “Forgive me, my opinion of Mr. Pen is not very high, granted he raised you well although I think that the fact that you are such an agreeable creature is to be credited to you, not to his hand in raising you. Nonetheless, he is a pleasure seeker. He has no morals or law that he is guided by, and does not care for the welfare of others. Alas, I am sure he cares for you and your wellbeing, but his favor rests on his family only” “You forget that when we were married, my family became your family” She said in a whisper, “You need not tell me that, but Mr. Pen” said Mr. Quickwell “Anyway, that is my opinion.” “And what is your opinion of my mother?” She asked. “By what Mrs. Pen tells me, she was let to do what she wanted from an early age. At times I find her agreeable, but most of the time, she is insufferable. I want Mrs. Pen to stay away from our dear Grace.” replied Mr.Quickwell. “You see their faults more than I can, though, since you lived with them for so long, and I want you to have a hand in the decisions we make regarding this issue.” In an effort to encourage his dear wife he added, “You are blessed to have them as your parents, and I am grateful for them, for they gave me you.”