Francis smiled slightly. "Very true," he remarked. "One never does know when the calling of family will take over. Though I feel that it has long passed me."

He wasn't concentrating on reading anymore. No, his mind was wandering. All he could think about was those long ago days when he was a twenty-something living in a tiny house on the edge of town, engaged to be married with whom he considered to be the fairest girl in all of London. Not that any of that mattered anymore. Fate saw to that.

Snapping back to reality, he saw that Marcus was tapping his foot.

"Are you alright? You don't need to stay here, you can have a look round the house, or do something else to occupy you if you like. Cook will call you for dinner."

They both seemed to dream at the same moment. He was woken from it by the other's question. "Ah, I'm fine." he quickly answered before he uncrossed his legs and put his elbows on his knees, leaning over slightly. "It's just...Silly. One moment I'm just sitting at home, with cup of coffee, bent over a pocket watch repairing it. The next I'm sitting here with you, in England... Not to say the least that I miss home already." he stated before allowed his blue hues to look up.
"I guess I'm just someone who is always busy with one's hands." he explained before he sat back again and stood, popping his back and moving to one of the windows, looking out of it, noticing the large garden. Then an idea popped in mind. "Do you have an English dictionary about?"

He chuckled softly. "I know what you mean. I'm not sure how much Margaret showed you, but at the bottom of the garden there is a tool shed with a rather small workbench, you're more than welcome to use that whenever you like. I rarely go down there now. Also, there is no shame in missing your home, I know that if I was sent to Germany to work I would miss England while still travelling over."

He folded up his newspaper and placed it on the coffee table. There was a drinks cabinet in the corner. Francis, feeling rather thirsty, decided to pour himself a scotch.

"Care for one?" he asked and sipped as he heard Marcus ask him if he had a dictionary. "I should do in the library. It probably won't be in the shelves, but sitting on the desk for quick access when I do my crosswords. I can show you if you like?"

Marcus smiled a bit. "Not much of the outside though. Mainly the rooms she saw that would be of great importance." he stated before he smiled. "Thank you for your kind offer. If I could repair anything for you, just give me a call. I'd be happy to get it done." At hearing the other's kind statement of being homesick, Marcus felt his cheeks flare up. "Ah, thank you."

At the offer for a drink Marcus gave a nod. "Yes please." he said highly politely. He already noticed that his accent was slowly starting to mix with the posh one Francis had. Not that he minded of course. This was far the best way to learn the language. Just to listen. "Show me after dinner and before the arrival of the Professor. " he nodded as he slowly stood up and moved over to Francis, smiling as he waited for his host to pour him a shot.

"It completely blanked my mind that you may have been interested in the tool shed, I should have said earlier. It will likely be dark after dinner, but I can show you tomorrow morning before we go to the university. Also thank you, that's very generous."

Francis poured a drink for Marcus and handed it over with a flourish, before he smiled warmly.

"I'd be happy to. I was needing to go anyway, I'm a bit of a bed-time reader, so I was needing a new book for later," he said and chuckled slightly before draining his drink and leaving the glass on the dresser. "One of the girls will see to the glasses later," he explained before going over to the window and looking out over the garden.

"I can give you somewhat of a tour of the garden from here. Down by the rose bushes, tucked in behind them, is the tool shed. Somewhat modest, but it does the job. Over there on the left is the green house, tomatoes and strawberries grow in there for most of the year. Along the right side is my vegetable patches, where in the summer there blooms potatoes, turnips, carrots, onions and cabbages. And then under that tree on the far side is a small bench, normally where I take in the summer with a cool glass of lemonade and a book," Francis said, pointing to the different things as he spoke of them.

"You couldn't know." Marcus simply smiled before he took the glass and sniffed it before taking a careful sip. He was not familiar with this drink, although it seemed to be a close resemblance of something he did know.

When the other moved to the window and announced he'd give a tour from inside, Marcus moved to stand half beside and half behind his friend, so he could see and hear clearly. "It is a very nice garden." Marcus agreed with the man after he had pointed everything out. "Everything looks quite calm..." Marcus then spotted a small fox, rushing along the roses. His usual hunting instinct made him lower his head a bit, just to get a clearer view. When the fox disappeared Marcus stood tall again and sipped his drink.

"Darn foxes," Francis muttered as he saw it slink around the rose bushes. They were always in and out of his garden, foraging around in the vegetable patches when the ripened, generally being a nuisance. He couldn't stand foxes, or any animals for that matter. He was not content having them anywhere near him, dirty creatures he thought.

"Thank you, I'm quite proud of it. Not often that you see spaces of green in London, not now the city is developing. Keeps me busy in the summer, that's for sure," he said and chuckled.

Francis glanced over at the clock on the mantle. It was approaching seven.

"Best we got washed in time for dinner," he said simply. "There is a bathroom next to your bedroom, if Margaret didn't show you. Are you alright to find the dining room?"

When Marcus heard the muttering the gears in his mind began to stir. He knew foxes. He hunted them at home. To keep them away from his neighbour's chickens. He could try out that little noise maker machine. As the elderly man would call it. Perhaps it would work for a larger range of land.

When the other suggested that, Marcus took the last swig before putting the glass beside the other's and nodded to the man. "I'll find it quite fine." he stated and headed to the door opening it and stepping out. With a small bow of the head he then headed to his own room. Marcus learnt fast and had a complete map of the rooms he had visited.
After a quick wash up and a change of shirt, Marcus moved to the dining hall. Apparently he was there first, for Francis was nowhere to be seen yet. SO Marcus just sat down on one of the chairs and waited patiently.

Nodding his head back at Marcus, Francis followed him out of the drawing room, but headed in the opposite direction to his room. He took off his shirt as he entered and tossed it over the rocking chair that was sitting by the bay window. He went into the adjacent bathroom and had a quick wash and dry before he returned to his bedroom. He hummed slightly, his deep voice making soft melodic notes, as he searched for a clean shirt that was casual enough for home, but dressy enough for drinks later.

After careful selection he put on his powder blue shirt and buttoned it up, tucking it into his trousers and re-tying his belt. After a quick comb of his hair he was done.

He walked casually down the main staircase and into the room on the left which was the dining room. Marcus was already there.

"Hello again, I see you did get here right enough," he said with a smile, and took the seat across from him. Just as he sat down, the grandfather clock in the corner chimed seven.

Marcus had simply tossed on a cream coloured shirt, very plain, much like himself. When Francis emerged and sat down at the precise time of seven, Marcus smiled. "Punctual." he stated before he nodded. "I got around quite well." he stated before he neatly folded his hands on the table and rested his forearms on the edge. He looked much like a regular farmer or some family man, who had just gotten back from a hard day's work. His hair however, tightly combed back, like always.

Francis chuckled. "Timing is something you learn when you have a cook such as Mrs Harris," he said with a smile.

A young maid came in, she had long golden curls piled into a bun and her thin frame was swamped in her uniform. She never looked like she ate, but knowing her family circumstances as Francis did, she probably never.

"Can I get either of you gentlemen a drink?" she asked pleasantly. Francis couldn't help but shudder though, her voice grated on him.

"Ale if you please, Diana," Francis said with a smile.

Marcus simply smiled and nodded slightly. "She does sound quite strict. But, Without order everything will turn into chaos." he spoke softly.
When the young maid wandered in Marcus' eyes moved to her. She looked horrible! Sure she had a pretty face, but her body... Oh dear! Some one feed that child! Marcus slowly moved his hands to his lap. "I'll have a glass of water, thank you." he smiled modestly.
When the girl was out of the room, Marcus looked at Francis. "Poor child...She looks like she is starving..." he whispered to the man. "She needs a strict diet to gain weight, or she'll fall ill or worse!"

Francis nodded his head solemnly. "I know, it's awful. The amount of times that I've offered her to eat dinner with me, or to take a pack home for her and her family, I've lost count. She sees it as a matter of pride, not to accept pity or charity. She fails to see that she will grow ill if not. Though the whole family is like that. Seven children and a lone parent. Their father died in work last year, and as he was the sole earner, they quickly descended into poverty. Utterly heartbreaking," he said softly.

In a moment Diana came back, placing a large glass of ale in front of Francis and a large glass of water in front of Marcus.

"Can I get you some bread before dinner?" she asked politely. "The main course tonight is stew with dumplings, and then for pudding there is jam sponge and custard."

"No thank you, Diana. For me, the meal itself will do fine. Marcus? Care for bread?" Francis said, and then with a smile looked to Diana. "Would you like to join us?"

Her whole body stiffened. "No thank you sir. I'm quite alright."

Marcus slowly shook his head. Hearing that story was truly sad. He knew cases like that at home as well. It was truly terrible. He himself had been sole earner, when his father had gone missing after a hunt. But when the poor man returned Marcus had managed the family pretty well. Thanks to savings and the hard lessons his father had given him. "Poor, poor dear..."

When he got his glass, Marcus smiled up at her charmingly, he did not know that he did it in such a way. "Some would be nice." he nodded. He was a large eater, he knew for sure.
As Diana told them no, Marcus slowly leaned back in his seat to look at her. "Oh please do! This man will drive me crazy if I were to eat alone with him... He talks so much about subjects I'd rather not discuss... Please stay for some other....eh...what's the word?" he said as he talked himself into a dead alley, for he simply forgot the word he used a sentence before. How silly.

Francis smiled at Marcus. He certainly knew how to get people to do what he wanted, as he could see that Diana was weakening.

"No thank you. I'm fine. Truly. I'll just go get your bread..." she said and turned on your heel.

"Diana..." Francis said softly. "Please join us." She paused for a moment, her back turned. "What harm could it do, Diana?"

"Perhaps...a small portion..." she said, almost in a whisper, before she walked into the kitchen.

Marcus had a sly glance in his eyes before he looked at Diana, putting up his best charming look before he just smiled. Once she was off, Marcus turned to Francis and gave him a quick wink. "We'll get her to health." he promised the kind employer. With a small smile he crossed his legs and took a sip of the water.
Almost lovingly Marcus kept his eye for the door, once it opened and Diana wandered back in, Marcus pulled the chair next to him back and offered the seat to her. "Thank you. It's a pleasure." he chimed.

Francis smiled, his eyes twinkling.

Diana daintily sat down next to Marcus, perching on the edge of the seat. She looked anything but comfortable. She cleared her throat and whispered a small word of thanks, before looking down at her knees, her pale face flushing a deep scarlet.

"Not at all," Francis said with a smile. "How's your mother doing? She was ill not so long ago wasn't she?"

"Oh she's doing much better now, sir. Really picked up again. The doctor said that she wasn't actually sick though. But she was. She really was," Diana said animatedly. "Everyone's doing better now though, not just mother."

Francis smiled and nodded his head as a call could be heard from the kitchen.

"I better go get the plates," Diana said, and quickly scurried through to the kitchen.

"Diana's mother is not very stable mentally," Francis explained to Marcus quietly. "She lost her youngest last year, after losing her husband and all the emotion that came with that, her milk went sour and it made little Simon ill. After that she went a little...funny."

Marcus had smiled when she sat down next to him. He leaned on the table with his elbow, his eyes taking in all her features, she looked so, adorable. Looking a lot like his baby sister, who looked by far healthier than the scrawny girl beside him at that moment, but still.

At the talk Marcus did not say anything, for he did not know anything about the lady. But when she was called off and Francis explained, pain showed in Marcus' eyes. "That is terrible..." he said softly, looking guilty for some reason. "Poor dear. I do hope things will be well soon for them...I'd hate to see or hear a family break like so." he hummed before he took another sip of water and broke off a piece of bread, taking a bite and chewing it well.

Marcus sat straight again when he heard the patter of feet heading their way again. If the cook was to come in as well, he'd better sit straight.

Diana came in with one plate, and Mrs Harris came in with two. Diana placed the plate she was carrying in front of Marcus and sat down, while Mrs Harris placed the other two plates down for Francis and Diana. Francis was pleased to see that Diana's was heaped.

"Mrs Harris," Francis said. "Perhaps you could put some aside for Diana take home to her mother?"

Mrs Harris smiled. "Aye sir. I will do. Need to feed you up, girl, you're nowt but skin an' bone. That's what you are. Skin an' bone."

Mrs Harris left the dining room as Diana's cheeks flushed pink.

Marcus thanked the girl with a small smile before he looked up at the cook. The lady didn't seem so scary! At hearing those words, or at least trying to make some sense out of it, he heard true care in it.

When Diana sat down herself, Marcus shared his bread with her instantly, not thinking about it. Then he looked at Francis. "Do you pray before dinner?" he asked the others as he looked around the table.

Diana snorted with laughter but quickly pretended to cough. Francis raised an eyebrow at her, but then smiled. "Uh, no, personally I don't. I've somewhat, uh, lost my way, with religion. If you do, I'm happy to indulge though."

"Mother says that you should speak to the new priest, he worked wonders with her," she said reverently. Francis merely shook his head.

Marcus took the laughter as a very clear: 'No'. He sighed softly and just clasped his hands together, he was a religious man, at least, he said his prayers and did what he could to help others. In order to create a better place on earth. "Then don't mind me if I do." he stated softly before he closed his eyes and said his prayer, fully in German of course, for he did not know the words he wanted to speak in English.
"... Amen" With that closure he picked up his fork and dug into his food.
The scent had taunted him, and now he could finally dig in.

Francis held off from eating until Marcus was done saying grace, it was interesting to hear it said in German. He hadn't heard any language apart from English spoken fluently.

"Sir," Diana asked as she chewed a piece of stewing steak.

"Yes?" Francis inquired.

"You used to be properly religious. Why did you stop?"

Francis took a large bite of dumpling and used that as his excuse not to talk. He chewed the dough as he thought over his reply. With Marcus being religious he didn't want to say too much against it. But personally, he felt that the injustice of losing his love meant that there could be no God. Obviously, saying that would not win him any friends.

He swallowed and took a sip of ale.

"I guess I just did..." he said softly.

When the touchy subject submerged from nowhere Marcus looked at his host and smiled. "There is no need to hold back your answers, because you might offend me or my religion.." he spoke softly after a bite of bread and stew.
"I myself am quite curious." he looked at Diana and smiled at her before turning his gaze back to Francis. He then saw a quick gaze which made him shift uneasily. "But...I guess I shouldn't interfere." he smiled.

Then he looked back at the only lady at the table, noticing she ate well made him smile. "What about you, Diana, are you religious?" he asked softly.

"Thank you," Francis said with a smile. "But the truth is I really don't know why I fell out of love with the church," he lied.

Diana blinked when she was asked, but a smile spread across her face and it seemed to light her up. Francis supposed that religion was a topic in which she enjoyed. He watched her out of the corner of his eye as he took another bite.

"Oh yes, sir!" she said happily. "Been Catholic since the day I was born, I have. I'd love to travel to Italy to see where the Pop resides. I saw a picture of it in a book once. Looked beautiful it did. I'd always wanted someone to read to me what it said, but I've never found anyone who could. And now I don't have the book."