Before the Storm Read Online Free Page A

smart lad. Good prospects in electricity. But you know, I’ve been thinking. You could do better.’
    â€˜Better?’
    Mr Lang got up and walked over to the mantelpiece, above which several guns were mounted. He selected a stubby pistol.
    â€˜David!’ exclaimed his wife. ‘Keep that horrible thing away from the dinner table.’
    â€˜Please dear, there is no need for formality,’ Mr Lang said as he held the pistol out to Fox. ‘What can you tell me about this, young man?’
    Fox took the weapon and examined it briefly.
    â€˜Lancaster, 1882, thirty-eight calibre, four barrels, brake action striker, unjammable, effective usage, close quarters.’
    There was a short silence.
    â€˜Astounding,’ breathed Mr Lang. ‘All perfectly correct. And tell me, Fox, what is its use?’
    â€˜Circumstances, extreme danger, when needed quickly, fire with certainty, close range.’
    â€˜Yes, yes, all quite correct. I knew it! You have an interest in weapons. You are as brave as a lion, as fit as a bull, and you have a natural military bearing about you. Young man, you should consider a career in the army. Once you are a British citizen why, you could become a captain in no time at all.’
    â€˜Army, Sir?’ responded Fox suspiciously.
    â€˜Oh yes! You have an education, in spite of your halting English. That’s a big plus next to your name. Mind you, people need connections to get ahead in today’s military, but I have those connections. It would be the British army, mind, no future in our stupid little colonial militias. You would have to go to England, but I know people who know people.’
    â€˜Am grateful,’ replied Fox with deference. ‘Your offer, shall consider.’

    After dinner Mr Lang retired to his study, and Mrs Lang sat with Fox and her children in the living room, before the fire.
    â€˜Fox, would you really go to England and join the army?’ asked Emily as she stared into the hot coals.
    â€˜If ordered, Miss.’
    â€˜But you are not on your ship now, there is nobody to order you to do anything.’
    Fox looked as if he were about to say something, then frowned. ‘Correct,’ he conceded. ‘Habit, discipline, persisting.’
    â€˜Your speech really is very precise and, well, military sounding,’ observed Mrs Lang.
    â€˜At sea, years,’ replied Fox slowly. ‘Ship discipline, like military.’
    â€˜You are wonderfully well spoken for a foreigner, even if you do sound a little formal,’ said Emily. ‘What are you interested in?’
    Fox froze for a moment. ‘History. Natural philosophy.’
    Suddenly Emily realised that Fox never said ’um’, ’ah’, or ’er’. He thought about what he had been asked, his face blank, then he replied.
    â€˜Oh I know all about natural philosophy,’ said Daniel, pleased to discover something in common with his rescuer. ‘Can you name the planets?’
    â€˜Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, asteroids, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, the double planet Charon and Cerebus, and Terminus.’
    â€˜Gosh!’ exclaimed the youth.
    â€˜Daniel!’ his mother exclaimed. ‘Language, please! Fox, I can tell the maid to prepare the bed in the garret for you. Would you like to stay here for the night? You must be exhausted.’
    â€˜My thanks, no.’
    â€˜Daniel, kindly show Fox to his room … oh! Sorry, did you say no?’
    â€˜Tonight, expected, at lodgings. Friends, worried, will be.’
    â€˜Oh. I see. Well, ah, would you come here for lunch tomorrow? We have a roast on Sundays, you would love it. We might even be able to give you introductions to people, you know, help you become established in Melbourne.’
    Fox considered this carefully before answering. It was not yet late in the evening, but the last train was due soon.
    â€˜Shall return, tomorrow, if clothing wet.’

    Half an