Johnstown Castle - part 5

...hearing not once the bells of glory sound like soundeth they for others still...

“Good morning!” I heard a man shout. I raised my head and saw my host pleasantly smiling and waving at me from the door.
“Ah, good morning Mister Grogan,” I replied from that comfortable cushioned armchair in the library. I had my early breakfast beside me on a little table and even a gramophone to lift away the sombre mood of the morning while I was enjoying my coffee.
Mister Grogan stepped into the library and with a laugh he said: “Need I remind you I’m not a man of many formalities? You can call me Cornelius.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Cornelius then proceeded to sit down opposite to me at the little table with a smile on his face. He was not as fancily dressed as you’d expect from a man of his calibre, wearing a white linen shirt, dark pants of some unrecognisable fabric, and a long red velvety robe. On top of that he was old and not at all well groomed. Grey hair, unshaved beard, wrinkles and dark circles under his eyes indicated to me that he was in his seventies perhaps? Well he was forty-two on paper. Needless to say time hadn’t been merciful to him. He was quite the corpulent one as well, but with his busy schedule he’d have no time for exercise anyway I thought.
“Loretta,” he shouted then, after which she almost immediately appeared at the door.
“I’ll have my breakfast in the library as well today.”
With a silent “Yes, Master Cornelius” she instantly disappeared and reappeared bringing forth a silver waiter, just like the one I was served with, and placed it on the table. I had already forgotten about our little embarrassing incident earlier. Who would have thought she feared blood so much? It turned out I had accidentally smeared the blanket in blood while I was trying to cover her with it. And it was only then that I actually discovered I had cut myself.
I looked at the bandage on my hand and then at Loretta again. She was avoiding eye contact at all costs. I didn’t blame her. The way she had been clenching my shirt and crying it wet – she must have been horrified.
“Did you see that ghost again?”
Mr Grogan was looking at me curiously.
“Umm, no... no ghosts this time”
I had decided to drop the matter and remain silent. How could I possibly tell my host that I suspected there was a revenant in his house? And for God’s sake, I had just seen a figure. And maybe, just maybe I really had messed up locking the doors. I couldn’t be sure and in reality I had no proof so I thought it wise to just keep silent.
“I’m sure it was just the moonlight,” I said cheerfully looking once again at the book I had been reading.
“Let’s hope so. Who knows, maybe you end up in a mudflat.”
He laughed at my confused look.
“Well according to a local legend Wexford got its Irish name, Loch Garman, from a young man who was drowned in the mudflats at the mouth of the River Slaney by flood waters released by and enchantress. Could be her, don’t you think?”
I smiled to reply.
“What is that?” Cornelius then asked.
“You mean the book? It’s about economic analysis. I found it in the shelf over there”
Mr Grogan raised his big white eyebrows.
“I do wonder why I have such books here anyway, but I’m glad you are interested in it. Actually if you want you may just keep it. I see no use for it here.”
I had my coffee cup at my mouth so I just gave him a simple “Mhm.”
“Oh!” he shouted, like he had frightened himself, “I’m afraid we’ll have to postpone our business talks to tomorrow. You see, I have an unexpected affair to attend to in Ferns so I’ll be leaving shortly.”
I had been hoping to get the talking done yesterday and he wanted to delay me even further? I wasn’t exactly happy about it but then again he was an important client as far as my income and reputation were concerned.
“Of course you are welcome to stay in the castle and Loretta here, I’m sure, will see for all of your needs.”
“I’d be delighted,” I said with a fake smile and put down my cup.
Cornelius stood up hastily.
“Well I shall be going then.”
He then darted away having barely touched his breakfast and Loretta followed him in short order. I mused at my state and continued reading the book. Loretta showed up occasionally and asked me for my needs. I tried to bother her as few times as I could and stayed in the library until nightfall.

To be continued…