Lord Wright’s Wisdom

It is the first day that the boys will learn how to do proper manners since Theodore and James are staying with the Wright family. They are still asleep in their room as the window curtains were opened, revealing the sunlight flashing through. The boys tossed and turned, and covered underneath the blankets to hide from the rays.

"Time to get up, young master James and young master Theodore," the maid said. "Your father is already waiting downstairs for breakfast." However, there was no response. The maid decided to play along with the boys and pulled the blankets. The boys began to wake up and rub their eyes. The maid smiled and said, "Come on now. Master Walter is already downstairs." They both yawned and went downstairs.

They arrived at the dining table where their father and their grandparents were waiting for them. James and Theodore sat down, still drowsy. They all smiled watching the boys.

"It looks like you have enough sleep," their grandmother said.

"We did," James said. "I would like to sleep more."

The family giggled. "You can't do that, James. Your tutor will arrive soon," their grandfather said and both of their eyes shot open. They both stared at their grandfather and remembered that they had prepared a tutor for them. "We decided to have you homeschooled, instead. We will show you to the public once we say you are prepared to go out of the world. For now, you will be here."

"Are you sure about that, father?" Walter replied. "Why do they need to be hidden?"

"Don't get me wrong, son," Lord Wright said. "I am only doing this to avoid suspicion from the other aristocrats. You know very well that rumors can easily be spread like flies. I am not ashamed that you have adopted them and brought them to our home. Of course, I will treat them as my grandchildren. However, I want them to be treated as equally as with the other children. Don't you think?"

"I suppose you are right," Walter said as the boys started to eat. "Have you boys decided what you want to be when you grow up?"

"I decided to become an engineer," James said as he swallowed the food and took a bite.

"I want to become like you, father," Theodore replied.

"I want to know my grandchildren," Lord Wright said. "Shall we go to the garden afterward?" The boys paused and stared at Walter. He knew that they are still afraid of being around people of the higher class. However, his father was quite persistent to meet the boys. Walter decided to stay for the day to make sure that the boys are comfortable.

"We can go together, father," Walter replied on behalf of the children. "I would probably stay here for a while before I go back to work. I want to make sure that they will be fine."

"You know what? I agree," his mother said. "Why don't we go to the garden after breakfast? Besides, we have fine weather."

The boys smiled and finished the food quickly. They both stood up from the table and waited for the rest to finish their meal. Walter looked at them and found them adorable. "Why don't you go upstairs and get dressed before we go to the garden?" The boys nodded as they went back to their room while their governess followed them from behind.

"Are you okay with this setup, father?" Walter asked.

"Of course, I am. Why wouldn't I be?" Lord Wright replied. "Your mother used to be one of them. Look at us now. I married your mother because I love her though she was only a maid in our home."

"What about your parents?"

"Don't mind them. They just wouldn't understand. As long as the boys make you happy, then I would be happy."

"Thank you, father. These boys meant a lot to me, most especially Theodore."

"Why?" his mother asked.

Before he was able to answer, the boys got back to the dining table well-dressed. Theodore was wearing a green sailor suit while James wore a blue sailor suit. They both had ankle boots worn on their feet. Walter smiled and walked up to them.

"You two looked handsome," Walter said. "Are you boys ready to go outside while we wait for your tutor?" the boys nodded.

"I'll ask the ladies to prepare the tea outside and some biscuits," Lady Wright said. Lord Wright nodded, stood up from his chair, and followed Walter and the boys to the garden.

As they arrived at the garden, Lord Wright outstretched his hands to the boys and offered them to walk with him. The boys accepted it though they were quite nervous. They started to walk around the garden while their father was behind them.

"So, do you boys like to stay here?" Lord Wright said.

"We do, grandfather," Theodore said.

"Now, don't be afraid now, children. We are not like other families who adopt kids from the street to treat them badly. I have learned how to accept children like you because your grandmother used to be working in the streets."

"Why did you love her?" James asked.

"You know why?" Lord Wright asked them with a smile. The boys nodded. "I see that all people are the same. No one is above and no one is below. Others don't understand that once greed will take over them, and there is no cure for it. I married your grandmother though my parents don't want to. I learned to be one of them until my parents died and told me that I will inherit their properties."

"What do you mean?" James asked.

"When people are gone, their wealth will be left behind. They can't bring it to heaven. That is why we are all the same."

The boys became quiet and understood what Lord Wright meant. Theodore thought that there might be a reason why they were taken in by the Wright family. He wanted to know what his purpose was. A flashback came to him and brought him to the knight that his father disappeared as his mother was taken by the police. He felt that something was not right, and he wanted to know. James, on the other hand, wanted to know what happened to his mother. Both of them were eager to see their parents, but they learned that they need to stay longer to prepare themselves for what happened to their family, most especially Theodore.

They decided to go back to the table where Lady Wright was sitting as she took a sip from her cup of tea. They joined her, and the boys took a biscuit from the table and ate it. Suddenly, the governess came to them and informed them that the tutor is there. Theodore and James's new life awaits.