JackGrooms: Jerry, ArthurStable boys: Little Bob, DannyErrand Boy: JohnnyAlgonquin SchoolWalter Addison & HarveyJeremy Blankenship & RayJoshua Brand & Miles*Louis Briggs & Peter*Freddie Caldwell & Tom*Albert DeWitt & Stuart*Randall Fox & HowardWendell Franklin & Ralph*Maurice Gaines & OllieDaniel Hollingsworth & AllenGordon Lovejoy & Julian*David Maxwell & Alex*Adam Pettibone & SamCharles Ross & Simon*Victor Spence & Will*Robert Townsend & Dick*Philip van Houten & Davey**HenrysfriendsThey arrangedthemselves in the middle of the bed, head to tail. Henry loved thebitter-salty taste of Martins prick, loved the slippery heat ofMartins mouth. They writhed together, moaning and slurping, lostin sensation, when there came a crisp knock at the door.Martin jerked away,eyes wide, saying, Under the covers, Sir! in a hoarse whisper.He slid from the bed and ran for the dressing gown hanging on thebathroom door as the knock came again.Just a moment,please, Martin called out, shoving his arms into the dressing gownand wrapping it tight around his torso. His prick was still hard,pushing at the heavy flannel and tenting it out from his body. Henryscrambled to get beneath the blankets as Martin unlocked the door.Yes? Martinkept as much of himself behind the door as possible, which he openedlittle more than a crack.Mr. Blackwellsfather is wondering if he plans to come down for lunch, Paul said.In a lower voice, he added, I dont think hes meant to have asay in the matter, actually, Martin.Oh! Please tellhim Mr. Blackwell will be down directly, Martin said. Thankyou, Paul.He shut and lockedthe door again. Did you hear that, Sir?Henry nodded; hedalso heard the nervous honorifics. I did. Well go down, Isuppose. But if Im having lunch with him, that means youvemissed yours entirely. Martin hadnt taken lunch earlier withthe rest of the slaves, and he couldnt sit down and eat with Henrywith Father also at the table.Perhaps Illeat later, Sir. Martin did not seem concerned with getting a meal,but rather with getting Henry dressed. Please, Henry, get up.Dont dawdle.Henry swung his legsout of bed and stood to allow Martin to dress him in the clothes hedhad on in the morning. Martin quickly dressed himself and tied hishair neatly back. It had only taken them a few minutes, but doubtlessFather would still be annoyed at Henrys tardiness, though Henrydid not think it fair for Father to judge him harshly when he hadntrealized there were any expectations of him in the first place.Down in thebreakfast room, Father and Timothy were seated at the table. Timothygave Henry a smile; Father gave him a long, hard look, quitecritical.Youve foundsomething engrossing to do on this dismal day, I take it? Fatherasked.Henry flushed withmortified dread. Uh...yes, sir. Ive been...reading. He didnot sound confident of this, however, and he suspected Father did notbelieve him.Father scowled athim until he felt his face was on fire.Arent yougoing to have Martin prepare you a plate, son?Oh! Yes, please,Martin, will you fix me something?Of course, Sir.Martin went to the sideboard and began to select sandwiches.Looking at Timothyserenely eating his lunch, Henry wished he could follow his fathersexample and ask Martin to sit down, but he was not at all sure hisfather would allow it