sapphire
Junior Member
Lord of Linguistic Destruction
Alysneri
Posts: 98 
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Post by sapphire on May 15, 2009 12:10:45 GMT
Will glanced at Alice for a moment before looking over the man once more and asked him, "If it is so, then may these poems be read out? I would welcome such entertainment."
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Post by Idris on May 17, 2009 23:09:55 GMT
The man looked surprised and smiled apologetically at the blushing Alice.
“I am sorry to have to disappoint you, but I am not a great lover of Mr Browning. This is the work of a greater poet by far. And not just a poet, but a philosopher and scientist of reknown.”
He held up the book so that they could see the name on the spine – The Rubaiyat of Omar Kayyam.
“The Fitzgerald version - a very loose translation I’m afraid. It is a fine poem in its own right but there is nothing like reading Omar in the original Farsi. That is, Persian..., oh dear, I have let my passion run away with me.”
He held up his hands in mock despair. “It is a fault of mine. In answer to your request, dear sir, I would be happy to oblige if you still wish me to. But we should introduce ourselves first. My name is Benedict - Adam Benedict.”
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sapphire
Junior Member
Lord of Linguistic Destruction
Alysneri
Posts: 98
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Post by sapphire on May 20, 2009 22:16:56 GMT
Will's ears prickled with surprise as Adam Benedict explained about Persian and replied more warmly, "My name is William Ravenswood-Gussage."
He then gestured at Alice and then onward to Chastity after first phase, "My sister, Miss Alice Ravenswood-Gussage and my cousin, Miss Chastity Ravenswood-Gussage. I often like to hear about anything to do with Orientalism so you are still welcome to.
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Post by Idris on May 21, 2009 21:20:30 GMT
A broad smile broke out on Adam Benedict’s face. “You have travelled in the East yourself? I would dearly love to trade tales with you, but I do not think we should leave the ladies out of the conversation."
"Although I suspect that this young lady...” and he leaned forward and looked at Chastity with a keen eye, “...has lived most of her life under the tropic sun, and would have many interesting stories of her own to tell. Am I right?”
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Post by Cosmichorror on May 22, 2009 13:02:01 GMT
Chastity looked back to the man from gazing out the window. "Maybe." She said apoligetically. "I don't know what you'd find interesting though, I lived there all my life until recently."
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Post by Idris on May 24, 2009 21:32:32 GMT
Benedict shook his head. “We all think that our own lives make dull telling, because they are so familiar to us. Yet they may be fascinating to those outside.” He gave a short laugh. “Few would believe what goes on behind the curtains of the dullest suburban English home.”
As he was speaking they pulled into a station, and suddenly a porter’s face appeared at the window.
“Gentlemen and ladies, the dining car will be opened when the train reaches Westbury, but there are hampers available for five shillings if you prefer.”
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sapphire
Junior Member
Lord of Linguistic Destruction
Alysneri
Posts: 98
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Post by sapphire on May 31, 2009 17:06:30 GMT
Will smiled at Benedict's mention of what are going on behind these homes. When a porter's face arrived at the window, he looked thoughtfully for a moment and asked the others, "Would you preferred to eat here or wait until Westbury?
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Post by Idris on Jun 2, 2009 21:05:21 GMT
“Oh I would love to eat in the dining car!” Alice exclaimed. “Chastity, you want to, don’t you? And Mr Benedict, would you like to join us?”
Adam Benedict smiled at her enthusiasm, but shook his head. "Not for me but thank you for the invitation. I shall stay here and keep the carriage."
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Post by Cosmichorror on Jun 2, 2009 22:25:15 GMT
Chastity nodded her agreement. "I'm not that hungry right now." She said softly.
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Post by Idris on Jun 4, 2009 21:05:46 GMT
"You go ahead and enjoy the dinner - I believe it is roast beef tonight," Benedict said to William and Alice, with a twitch of his lips.
This was something of a joke, as the dining car menu ran to very little else.
"Chastity and I will stay here and perhaps we can exchange those stories of the East," he added, smiling at her.
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sapphire
Junior Member
Lord of Linguistic Destruction
Alysneri
Posts: 98
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Post by sapphire on Jun 7, 2009 23:38:00 GMT
Will smiled slightly as he replied, "I am sure Chastity might welcome a distraction if she desires so."
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Post by Cosmichorror on Jun 8, 2009 13:21:13 GMT
Chastity nodded. "I'll be fine for now."
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Post by Idris on Jun 10, 2009 22:55:27 GMT
They ran into Westbury at around four in the afternoon. Although it was not a fortnight from the first day of Spring, the day had become overcast and gloomy. As the train pulled into the station, Adam Benedict put down the small book from which he had been reading.
Alice clapped her hands. “That was wonderful Mr Benedict. I have never heard anything like it.”
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sapphire
Junior Member
Lord of Linguistic Destruction
Alysneri
Posts: 98
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Post by sapphire on Jun 17, 2009 11:33:57 GMT
"I agreed with Alice. It is intriguingly unusual and different after all, compared to literature of this country." He replied, considering on what to do next.
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Post by Cosmichorror on Jun 20, 2009 17:31:52 GMT
Even Chastity came out of her brooding to listen to the poetry. Where exactly did you travel to in the Orient Mr. Benedict? Chastity asked after he had finished.
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