PROLOGUE
This is an inspiring, but little-known story!
It's from the early life of one of the great Victorian philanthropists, Sir Roland Butt. Our hero was just plain Roland Butt when these events took place. But he never forgot the experience we're about to relate.
In 1855 Butt's Farm was a fairly big fruit and livestock farm in Kent. The farm was just north of Pratt's Bottom and due south of Elmers End. (Really! Look it up on any map of Kent.) Its young landlord, Roland Butt, had acquired the farm on the death of his father.
In August that year Roland came down from London to survey the property. His young University pal, Freddie Haunch, was with him.
The Kentish workforce had been severely depleted in 1855. Most able-bodied men had been conscripted into the Army for the Crimean War. So the farming was done by a team of about twenty 'land girls', under the supervision of the tenant-farmer, Mr Cobblestones.
Roland and Freddie were new to farm life, and were entranced by the whole set up. It helped that 1855 was such a glorious summer. The two young men spent their whole time out of doors. They wandered through the fields, lounged by the river, and chatted to Farmer Cobblestones. And watched the girls go by!
What a bevy of healthy, good looking country women! Owing to the heat, they were quite scantily clad (by Victorian standards). Friendly and courteous. Utterly charming!!
As a respectable married man, Roland had to rein himself in a bit. But Freddie was like a boy in a sweet shop. It was one dashed fine-looking woman after another! And they were all so obliging and respectful. At 21, Freddie was still a virgin. But maybe that sad state of affairs could change in this delightful spot....?
After the young men had been on the farm a couple of days, Roland's young wife joined them.
To the casual observer, Edith Butt just seemed like a beautiful and lively young woman. But Edith Butt was later to become one of the Victorian era's most formidable advocates of social reform. And even in her youth, there was a questioning, challenging side to Edith.
Butt's Farm would be Edith's first experience of the rural economy. She was keenly interested to see how it operated.
So Edith started to explore the farm, and get out among the farm workers. Coming from a fairly sheltered upper-class background, Edith found it a real eye opener.
Accordingly, a couple of days later she sought out her husband for a long talk.
"Roland" Edith said, "do you plan to make any changes at the farm?"
"I don't think so, darling" her husband replied. "It's quite profitable, you know, and Farmer Cobblestones is very efficient."
"Efficient?" Edith said. "That man is nothing but a slave driver!"
"Well, I don't know, dear" Roland responded. "The girls all seem happy enough."
"Of course they're going to be polite and friendly to YOU. You're the big boss. But have you and Freddie really talked to them? Or are you just happy to ogle the pretty ones?"
"Darling, you're jealous!" (Watch it, Roland! Not a clever thing to say to one's wife!)
"I AM NOT JEALOUS!!
"Do you two have the faintest idea what those poor women are going through, while you're leering at them? They work from dawn till dusk, which at this time of year is 5am to 9pm. 6 days a week. No holidays. All weathers. Half an hour break for lunch (which they have to provide themselves).
"No protective clothing. No toilets. No equipment to help them do the slightest thing. And they even have to wait at table in the evening, if the great Lord of Butt's Farm wants to have a banquet. (Like you did last night, when your pal Freddie was drooling like an ass over the waitresses' décolleté.)
"And don't talk to me about Cobblestones' 'efficiency' either. He could make life easier for the women in all sorts of little ways, but he never does."
Roland had really walked into that one, hadn't he, readers? To his credit, the young man didn't try to defend himself, but he did speak up for Farmer Cobblestones.
"I'm sorry, darling. Maybe I should have been taking more notice. Perhaps Cobblestones is a bit harsh, but he drives himself very hard, you know. Mrs Cobblestones passed away a couple of years ago, and his only son has been called up for the Army. The poor chap lives for his work now -- he's got nothing else."
Seeing her advantage, though, Edith pressed it home.
"Listen, Roland, dear, you've got obligations to these people. And you must set Cobblestones a better example. Look, why don't you, Freddie and Cobblestones put in a day on the farm yourselves? And give the women the day off. They can watch you working on the land."
"I say, Edith, that's a topping idea!" said Roland. "I'll learn all sorts of stuff. And I'm sure Freddie will be game. And if the girls want to leer at me and Fred and old Cobblers for a change, they'll be very welcome to watch, ha! ha! Mind you, I don't like the idea of this 5am start, eh what?"
"No, dearest", said Edith. "Let's make it 9am, so you can be fully breakfasted and ready for anything. After all, you might find yourselves a bit exposed!" she added, rather mysteriously. And then she muttered to herself "JEALOUS, am I? We'll see about that!"
FUN ON THE FARM!
The next Saturday was the appointed day. It dawned hot and sunny. What a lovely day to be down on the farm!
Roland, Freddie and Mr Cobblestones breakfasted heartily. Roland and Freddie were looking forward to an exciting new experience, but Mr Cobblestones was more cautious. "I don't think this is wise, Mr Butt", the farmer muttered uneasily. "Give these women an inch...."
"Nonsense, Cobblestones", said Roland. "It'll be fun. And look how keen the women are! They're all waiting outside for us."
Indeed, every single one of the farm women was there. (Even though they'd been given the day off.) Edith had had a long chat with the women the day before, and they'd all immediately signed up to help out today. Such splendid team spirit!
Edith was waiting for them. She looked cool and lovely in a floaty summer dress and hat. She greeted the three men very cordially. But also with an air of suppressed excitement. In fact the whole atmosphere was somehow quite electric.
"Right, gentlemen" said Edith. "You're now under orders for the day. Agreed?"
"Yes, dear. Whatever you say! Strict discipline, ha ha!"
