The Slowcoach | Page 8

those in the corridors of
railway carriages, or by shelves, racks, cupboards, or pegs. There were

two tables, which also folded to the wall.
The stove was close to the door, but of course, no one who lives in a
caravan ever uses the stove except when it is raining. You make the fire
out of doors at all other times, and swing the pot from three sticks.
(Hedgehog stew! Can't you smell it?) There were kitchen utensils on
hooks and racks on each side of the stove which was covered in with
shining brass, and rows of enameled cups and saucers, and plates, and
knives and forks. The living room floor was covered with linoleum; the
bedroom floor had a carpet. Swinging candlesticks were screwed into
the wall here and there. It was more like the cabin of a ship than
anything on land could ever be, and Jack Rotheram began to weaken
towards it.
In course of time other things were discovered, showing what a
thorough person X. was. A large India rubber bath, for instance, and a
bath sheet to go under it. A Beatrice oil stove and oil. An electric torch
for sudden requirements at night. A tea-basket for picnics. Quantities of
cart-oil. A piece of pumice stone (very thoughtful). There was also a
box of little India rubber pads with tintacks, the use for which (not
discovered till later) was to prevent the rattling of the furniture by
making it fit a little better. And in one of the cupboards was a bottle of
camphor pills, and a tin of tobacco labeled "For Tramps and Gypsies."
There was even a bookshelf with books on it: "Hans Andersen," "The
Arabian Nights," "Lavengro," "Inquire Within," "Mrs. Beeton,"
"Bradshaw" (rather cowardly, Robert thought), and "The Blue Poetry
Book." There was also "The Whole Art of Caravaning," with certain
passages marked in pencil, such as this:
"We pull up to measure the breadth of the gate, and if it be broad
enough, send forward an ambassador to the farm, who shall explain that
we would fain camp here, that we are not gypsies, vagabonds or
suspicious characters, that we will leave all as we find it, and will not
rob or wantonly destroy. And in case of need, he shall delicately hint
that we may incidentally provide good custom in butter, eggs, milk, and
half a dozen other things. Our ambassador must also, if it be possible,
secure a stall for the horse."

And this useful reminder:
"We must have water near at hand and a farm within reasonable
distance, and we should look for shelter from prevailing winds. We
must avoid soft ground, and it is a mistake to camp in long grass unless
the weather be particularly dry. We should be as far as possible from
the road if there is much traffic upon it. It is great advantage if there is a
stream or lake at hand for bathing. An old pasture field sloping away
from the road will often satisfy our requirements in low-lying districts.
And up among the moors we shall be content to take a piece of level
ground where we can find it. There will be nothing to disturb us there."
And this excellent caravan poem:
"I love the gentle office of the cook, The cheerful stove, the placid
twilight hour, When, with the tender fragrance of the flower, And all
the bubbling voices of the brook,
"The coy potato or the onion browns, The tender steak takes on a
nobler hue. I ponder 'mid the falling of the dew, And watch the
lapwings circling o'er the downs.
"Like portals at the pathway of the moon Two trees stand forth in
pencilled silhouette Against the steel-grey sky, as black as jet-- The
steak is ready. Ah! too soon! too soon!"
So much (with one exception) for the inside of the caravan. Underneath
it were still other things, for a box with perforated sides swung between
the wheels, and this was the larger, always cool and shady (except, as
Janet remarked, on dusty days), and near it on hooks were a hanging
saucepan, a great kettle, two pails, and two market baskets, a nose bag,
and a skid. Close by was a place for oats and chaff.
A new set of harness was packed on the box, and it was so complete
that on each of the little brass ornaments that hang on the horse's chest
was the letter "A." On the back of the caravan was a shelf that might be
let down, making a kind of sideboard for outdoor meals.

For two or three days the caravan did nothing but hold receptions.
Everyone who knew the Avories came to see it-- even Robert's bird
stuffer, who said he would like to borrow it for