章 21: Chapter 21: The Docklands, The Almshouse
Chapter 21: The Docklands, The Almshouse
A new day begins with a beautiful morning.
The maid knocks on the door, calling out sweetly twice, waking Hastur. He lies on the bed for about ten minutes, allowing his thoughts from a night's sleep to clear.
After getting dressed, he goes to the washroom to freshen up, with a maid standing by to offer any needed assistance.
Being watched like this makes him somewhat uncomfortable.
Fortunately, he had previously declined Neil's suggestion of having a personal maid. Otherwise, a maid would have helped him out of bed in the morning, undressed him, and put on new clothes.
If too lazy to do things himself, there are specialists available to provide services like brushing teeth, washing hair, washing face, and bathing.
As a noble, you only need to be like a doll, letting them dress you up beautifully.
Thinking of such a life sends a shiver down Hastur's spine.
It's not about whether he can adapt, but he genuinely feels there's no need for such services, at least not at this stage. He cannot comfortably enjoy such enthusiastic service.
After grooming, he straightens his appearance in the mirror, with a maid helping to smooth out any wrinkles.
Descending the stairs, the dining room already wafts with enticing aromas. Today's breakfast consists of several delicate dishes accompanied by two bowls of white porridge, along with baked scones and a slice of bread fried to a golden brown and spread with egg yolk sauce.
Finally, having a bowl of white porridge in the morning satisfies Hastur greatly. It's quite inconvenient to make porridge when he's alone.
After breakfast, under the butler Neil's watchful eye, he boards the Campbell family's carriage, which takes him to Beckland Bridge near the docklands.
This is the meeting place he agreed upon with Professor Wayne.
Hastur tells the coachman to return, and he waits alone on Beckland Bridge.
Snap!
Checking the time, it's 9:42, eighteen minutes until the agreed time of 10:00.
Hastur puts away his pocket watch and stands by the bridge, gazing at the nearby docklands.
This is where Beckland sets sail, with numerous ports, the world's most advanced shipyards, and the hardest-working laborers.
The area's chimneys, in rows and clusters, emit cloud-like black smoke, further darkening the already gloomy sky.
After about ten minutes, Professor Wayne's familiar voice is heard.
"I'm the one who's late."
"No, I arrived a bit early."
Hastur greets Professor Wayne with a smile, noticing two men beside him.
One wears black-framed glasses, in his early thirties, with a scholarly aura, likely a lecturer at Beckland or Professor Wayne's assistant.
The other, dressed similarly to the dockworkers, is around forty, somewhat thin, with slightly swollen eyes, curly brown hair, and a bit disheveled.
This must be the docklands guide Professor Wayne found.
"This is my student, Frolen Simpson, a law lecturer at Beckland University, here to assist me."
"This is Jim, who has lived in the docklands for years, our guide for this trip."
Professor Wayne briefly introduces them to Hastur.
After a brief exchange, the group decides to walk to the docklands.
The docklands are noisy and congested, with streets often filled with goods from around the world. Many children like to run around, making it unsuitable for carriage travel.
As the guide, Jim quickly takes on his role, introducing the docklands to Hastur and the others. Initially, he tries to speak more gentlemanly, but soon reverts to calling the shipyard managers fools and curly-haired baboons.
This seems more authentic.
Hastur and Lecturer Frolen listen with smiles, while Professor Wayne occasionally asks questions, which Jim answers and explains. They soon arrive at the docklands.
Upon entering, a wave of heat hits them, with the sun casting golden ripples on the sea.
Dozens of ships, large and small, are docked nearby. The workers, mostly shirtless, show off their muscular bodies.
Jim explains that wearing clothes while carrying goods can easily damage them, so it's better to work bare-chested. After a busy day, they can take a bath and change into clean clothes before going home.
The group's arrival draws curious glances from nearby workers, some of whom warmly greet Jim, who responds in kind.
As they delve deeper into the docklands, more children appear, wearing tattered clothes, with messy hair, most barefoot. Some wearing oversized shoes, clearly hand-me-downs from adults.
They play among the workers, cargo boxes, fish stalls, and vegetable stands, their faces beaming with joy that dispels the gloom.
"Don't be fooled by their youth; they often search the port for lost goods in the evening, forming several small groups and occasionally fighting," Jim mentions.
As the group passes through the children's play area, a few bolder ones approach, stretching out their dry hands and respectfully asking for money.
Professor Wayne, experienced in such situations, remains calm, saying, "I'll donate to the nearby almshouse. If you're willing to attend classes there, you'll have food."
The children pout, unimpressed by the offer of food and the prospect of learning at the almshouse, preferring to play outside.
"Go! Go play!" Jim steps forward, scaring the children away with a stern face and waving hands.
The children scatter, teasing Jim as an old bachelor. Seeing Jim's anger, they quickly regroup with their friends.
"Hmph, a bunch of ill-mannered brats, acting like their gossiping mothers at such a young age," Jim grumbles, embarrassed by the children revealing his unmarried status in front of the guests.
Though being unmarried is normal.
Professor Wayne laughs, "Let's go."
"If you were less kind-hearted, they might have been whipped by servants."
"Recently, two children were severely whipped for offending someone, soaking their clothes in blood."
"No one dared intervene. The children's parents could only cry and take them home. They're still bedridden, recovering."
Jim continues, "Didn't they think of seeking compensation from the assailant?" Lecturer Frolen, who had been silent, finally speaks.
Jim chuckles, "Of course, there was compensation, but it was the children's parents apologizing to the gentlemen. Even then, it depended on whether the other party was willing to let it go.
If they encountered unreasonable gentlemen, even the children's parents might be whipped."
Lecturer Frolen turns pale and falls silent.
...
Sunrise Almshouse, located at the end of the docklands on a hillside, is the first to see the sunrise each morning.
"Let those suffering from poverty welcome their own sunrise sooner."
This was the intention behind the name given by a marquis who fully funded its construction over thirty years ago.
When Hastur and his companions arrive at Sunrise Almshouse, the sun is right above the mountain top.
Jim, smiling, says, "Sir, my guiding duties are complete. I hope you enjoy your time here."
"You are a very competent guide."
"Thank you for your praise."
Jim leaves with his 12-soler guide fee.
Professor Wayne, a regular visitor, is warmly welcomed by Dean Darn of Sunrise Almshouse.
Hastur, standing behind, notices Dean Darn's mixed emotions of happiness and slight annoyance.
He briefly observes Dean Darn before focusing on the almshouse.
Located on a hillside, the almshouse's walls are built from large stones, nearly four meters high, flattened and moss-covered, greatly limiting entry and exit methods besides the main gate.
The stone walls enclose gray-black buildings, mostly three stories tall, arranged in a "日" shape, with the highest tower slightly disrupting the overall structure.
It resembles a school more than anything.
After chatting with Dean Darn, Professor Wayne introduces Hastur and Lecturer Frolen. Learning of Hastur's noble status, Dean Darn's face lights up with a smile.
"It's getting late. Shall we have lunch first, then discuss other matters?" Dean Darn suggests.
"Of course, as you wish," Professor Wayne agrees.
Entering the almshouse's gate, a chill breeze greets them, noticeably cooling the surrounding temperature.
"It's quite refreshing."
Lecturer Frolen comments with a smile, and Hastur agrees.
After walking under the sun and climbing the hill, entering here feels like stepping into a cold cellar, revitalizing them.
Passing through two open areas resembling playgrounds, they reach the three-story dining hall at the back.
"I prefer dining with the children here. It makes me feel younger," Professor Wayne says, glancing at Hastur.
Hastur, understanding, smiles, "I also enjoy the company of children. It's more lively."
Dean Darn looks surprised but doesn't object, smiling, "I just worry the children might disturb your meal."
"For us, it's a rare experience," Professor Wayne assures.
"Then, I'll arrange it," Dean Darn says, instructing two almshouse administrators to prepare the dining table and food on the first floor.
"Dean Darn, how many people are currently housed here?" Lecturer Frolen asks, curious. He had observed the almshouse's size, with hundreds of interconnected three-story buildings, not including the basement and three separate houses.
He had visited the large almshouse near Saint Samuel Church, but this one is equally sizable.
Comparatively, the docklands shouldn't match the area near Queen's District and Saint Samuel Church.
Dean Darn thinks for a moment, "There should be over 2,300 people, including 122 staff members like administrators, teachers, cooks, and maids."
"It's truly commendable," Frolen acknowledges the difficulty of housing over 2,000 people.
"It's not just our hard work and dedication, but also the concern of various social sectors for the charitable cause of aiding the poor," Dean Darn humbly states.
"Your humility and virtue are truly admirable."
"Your humility and virtue are truly respectable."
Lecturer Folen and Dean Darn began to chat casually, while Hasta just listened quietly, pondering Professor Wayne's thoughts.
(The chapter ends)
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