Sept.19 #2

She lowered her head as did the children while Doctor Pearce gave the blessing.

 

 The train left on time and they once again quickly became familiar with the clacking of the steel wheels on steel rails. Evidence of bombing raids was very visible and twice they passed the burned remnants of railway engines. Proceeding north east they soon passed out of the city and into the green English countryside, Doctor and Mrs. Pearce watched raptly as the farms and villages came and went. They made quiet remarks to each other reminding themselves of the earlier times before they took up the call and went to China. The children sensing their parents nostalgia remained quiet and refrained from asking questions.

  The trip lasted just over an hour and a half to the outskirts of London, then it slowed to a crawl as they proceeded through areas of horrendous damage that remained from the air raids of the war. Some construction was in evidence but for the most part the order of the time seemed to be the final demolition of destroyed buildings. Finally they slid to a stop at Waterloo Station, disembarked and once more gathered their bags together.

  Doctor Pearce said, “Everyone wait right here while I look out on the street, they said that they would try and have someone meet us and take us to our lodging.”

  Perhaps fifteen minutes later he reappeared wearing a slight frown and a look of exasperation. “Come along everyone, no one is here to greet us so we will take a taxi.” Outside on the street the doctor engaged a taxi to take them all to the Hand and Flower Inn.

Chapter 6.

  Once settled in to a comfortable suite, Mrs. Pearce and Jean went looking for a grocer. As they were leaving Doctor Pearce said, “Don’t hurry, I shan’t be phoning anyone, they know when were to arrive and where our lodging is, I have decided that the next communication shall have to come from the diocese. I will see if I can purchase a newspaper in the lobby.”

  Almost two hours later as Mrs. Pearce and Jean arrived back, the desk clerk sent a note up to their rooms saying that an important phone call was waiting for the Doctor at the desk. Doctor Pearce followed the bellman down the stairs and picked up the phone that was indicated. After identifying himself he listened quietly to the voice on the other end of the line. Finally he said, “My good fellow, my wife, my four children and myself have been now on a journey for a period lasting well over a month. We have been on trains and off trains, on two sea voyages in numerous hotels and today looked in vain for the promised lift to our present accommodation, will you please inform your director of missionary services that we shall be resting for the two days and I will attend his office at nine o’clock in the morning the day after tomorrow. Good day.” He hung up the ear piece.

  When he got back to their rooms, he simply said, “We shall rest today and tomorrow and then you and I m’dear shall visit the director of services at nine the next morning. The children can stay here on their own.”

  The next day the family rested and explored the streets near the Inn and the following morning as they were finishing their breakfast, the bellman rapped on their door and informed them that a car and Chauffer were waiting at the curb.

 

  The children were given instructions, the two parents went down to the lobby, out to the curb and some fifteen minutes later they arrived at a squat red-brick building which by an ornate sign over the front entrance was identified as the Church of England, London Diocese Headquarters.

  They were ushered straight into the Bishop’s office and were greeted warmly by the Bishop.  “I am sorry Doctor Pearce and Mrs. Pearce for the problems with your travels and the delay in receiving your advance; these things do happen and unfortunately I had assumed until two days ago that everything was in order. Frightfully sorry.” He smiled affably then quickly offered them a cup of tea.

  When tea had been served and they settled in their chairs, the Bishop went on, “I have your reports of your experience in China and the subsequent years on the Canadian frontier, but perhaps you could relate it for me in your own words.”

  Doctor Pearce cleared his throat and said, “It is quite a long story but I shall condense it and with your permission dwell more on the last two months on which there has no report.” Without waiting for a reply he quickly summarized their escape from China, their trip back to England then on to British Columbia and their years at Pender Harbour. Then in more detail he related the events of their present journey.

  The bishop listened closely and when the Doctor finished he stared off into space for a few moments, then nodding to himself he said, “Doctor I would like you to expand on the adventure in its entirety and be prepared to relate it to a group of our people Sunday next after services. It’s an incredible story and I believe it must be shared and perhaps if an understanding of what missionary service can entail it will benefit the other missions that we have out there.” He waved his arm in a large circle.

  He went on, “Now I have some other news that perhaps you will find unsettling, but there is nothing we can do about it at this time. You cannot return to China as we had hoped, the Chinese have closed their borders to any further missionary work, we don’t know if this is temporary or long term.” Seeing the dismay on Doctor Pearces face and hearing a gasp from Mrs. Pearce he hurried on. “Now I know this is a shock, we did not see this coming but as soon as I learned of the situation, I had my staff work on finding an alternate post for you. We have found two possibilities and it will be your decision as to which one you accept. The first is right here, you would be a member of my staff with responsibilities of Mission supervision and in all likelihood of filling in where illness or some other occurrence has caused a forced leave of absence of the incumbent, the incumbent for that position has just been reassigned. The other is to take over one of the churches in the parish of Leeds, Headingly actually. It is somewhat larger than you are used to but I don’t think that should be a deterrent. The present pastor is quite elderly and shall be retiring in about a fortnight. I’m afraid the number of parishioners has been steadily shrinking; no doubt due to his age and failing health. There is no hospital there but there is an emergency clinic that I understand can use some medical help. Don’t give me your answer now, you and your family deserve a holiday. I have made arrangements for an honorarium of three hundred pounds to be paid to you for your extraordinary service to the church and I would be pleased to see you use it to give your family an enjoyable vacation.”