In the year 1821 'Superior Dosset' Forsyte came to Town--if notprecisely on a milk-white pony. According to the testimony of AuntAnn, noted for precision, to young Jolyon on holiday from Eton, themigration from Bosport was in fact tribal and effected in two post-shays and the Highflyer coach."It was after our dear Mother's death, and our father--that is yourgrandfather, Jo dear,--was very taciturn on the journey; he wasnever a man who showed his feelings. I had your Aunt Susan inarms, and your Uncle Timothy--two years old, such an interestingchild, in the first post-shay with your grandfather. And your dearfather, he was so dependable and very like you--he must have beenfifteen then, just your age--he had your Aunts Juley and Hesterwith him and your Uncle Nicholas, who was four, in the second post-shay; and your Uncles James and Swithin and Roger were on thecoach. I am afraid Swithin was very naughty with his pea-shooteron the journey. We started early in the morning, and we all wentfor the night to your Great-Uncle Edgar's at Primrose Hill. Iremember he still wore knee-breeches and a very large bunch ofseals. Of course, WE were all in black. Your grandfather woreblack for two years after our dear mother's death; he felt it verymuch, though he never said anything.""What was he like, Auntie?""Strongly-built, my dear, with a high colour. In those days theydrank a great deal of wine, especially Madeira.""But what was he?""He began as a mason, dear.""A Freemason?""Not at first. A stonemason. You see, HIS father was a farmer,and he apprenticed your grandfather to a stonemason, so that heshould learn all about building. I think it was a very wisedecision, because in those days there were such opportunities forbuilders, so your grandfather soon made his way. He was becomingquite a warm man when we came to London." And Aunt Ann's shrewdeyes appraised her nephew.He had risen, and was standing, slender in his first tailcoat,against the mantelpiece, looking downward at his boots. Elegantthe dear boy looked, but a little embarrassed, as if his nerves hadreceived a shock. Of course, he was at Eton among the nobility.And she said with decision:"We should never be ashamed of our origin, dear Jo. The Forsytesare very good country stock, and have always been men of theirword, and that is the great thing. And our dear mother was a ladyin every respect. Her name was Pierce--a Devonshire family--andshe was the daughter of a solicitor at Bosport who was veryrespected. He died bankrupt because his partner ran away with somefunds, and all his fortune went to make up the loss. She had asweet face and was most particular how we spoke and behaved. Thisis her miniature."Young Jolyon moved over and saw an oval face with fair hair partedin the middle and drawn in curves across the forehead, dark greyeyes looking up at him from rather deep beneath the brows, a chinwith a delicate point, and shoulders shrouded in lace.