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Warning: General Audience


The Sharpe Fan Fictions of Paul K.


Sharpe's Family

PART III

Chapter 10


DECEMBER 1788
YORKSHIRE – KEIGHLEY

BLACK HORSE INN



John Eagleton arrived at his inn in Keighley after riding the day from Hellifield in a drizzling rain. His horse needed to be wiped down and fed. He was looking forward to a hot meal and a drink or two to warm his insides. Eagleton manages his inns from London to Carlisle with strict control. He visits each inn every month by riding the circuit from London and back. Sometimes he makes the circuit more than once. He follows no schedule so that when he visits, the innkeepers will be surprised when he arrives. Along the way, he will watch for his coaches. When he sees a coach approach, he will dismount his horse to hide along the road. If he catches a driver not following his rules, he will stop the coach to discipline the driver.

He is happy that this trip from London has been easy. The stays at each inn have been pleasant, until this rain. He didn’t often stay long at the inn at Keighley, but since the young girl had started to work for him in place of her mother, he found himself staying longer. Her mother had caught his eye, but not nearly as much as the daughter as she has grown. Most trips he would leave Keighley to be at another, larger town before dark. The larger towns often had women who would be willing to share the night with him. But, not here. Maybe he would stay the night at the inn. The miserable weather didn’t appear to be clearing soon. He could leave before the first coaches of the day set off. Dinner, conversation with some of the coach passengers and lots of glimpses of the girl will be a good evening.

He dismounted the horse at the gate to the stableyard. With the reins in his hand, he walked into the yard. He saw that a boy was cleaning a coach.

“Boy!”

The boy looks to where Eagleton was standing.

“Come get my horse. Take his gear off and feed him.”

The boy came to him.

“Sir, did Mr. Willett agree to you keeping your horse here?”

“Who are you boy to question me? I’m John Eagleton. I own this inn and more.”

The boy looks at his feet and shuffles. “Sorry sir. I did not know you.”

“Who are you boy?”

“Richard Sharpe, sir.”

“Sharpe, eh?”

“Yes, sir. Mr. Willett hired me two months ago.”

“Well, Sharpe. Take my horse. Too wet and cold to stay here.”

Eagleton hands Richard the reins then strides to the door to the inn.

Richard watches Eagleton go. He observes that Eagleton is powerful man, then looks at the horse. This horse is not like those that pull the coaches. “What kind of horse are you? Rich man’s horse?” He leads the horse to the stable. He removes the saddlebags and drapes them over a rail. The saddle soon also rests on the rail. He finds a hook to hang the blanket for it to dry. Finally, he removes the bridle before sending the horse into the fenced area with the other horses.

“Mr. Eagleton didn’t tell me to keep his horse out of the rain. I hope the horse will be good.”

Richard returned to wiping the coach and thinking of a hot dinner. “I can ask him when I eat.”



After the evening coaches arrived and the coaches and horses were in the yard, Richard had gone into the inn ready to eat. The cold and damp of the day had made him extra hungry. Inside, the room was warm from the kitchen fire and the heat from the guests of the two coaches. He grabbed a bowl and spoon, from a serving table. Mr. Catherall, the cook, ladles stew from the pot into his bowl. Without drawing attention from anyone else, he finds his way to the table in the corner of the room. He always sits at this table because most of the people ignore him. And, he can watch Elsie without her seeing him watch her.

Richard bows his head to eat. Before he finishes, he hears his name being spoken. “Sharpe, is it?”

Richard looks up. Mr. Eagleton is standing at the table. Before he can reply, Eagleton sits at the table with him.

“Yes, Richard, sir.”

“Well Richard, how do you like my inn?”

“Mr. Willett teaches me a lot. I like the work.”

“Willett tells me you do good work. Good. Expect you to give me your best. Nothing less.” Mr. Eagleton tells Richard, “People that want to come from London to York pay two or three pence per mile to ride one of my coaches. Pay others two pounds ten shillings inside; one pound five shillings outside on a Highflyer; three pounds three shillings inside. One pound eleven shillings six pence outside for a Mail coach. When they stop, they pay me for a room at the inns and meals. They pay tips to the guards and the coachmen.” Richard notices that throughout this tale, Eagleton has continually sipped from his ale. He emptied it and signaled for Elsie to refill it.

Richard hears all the numbers that Eagleton shared. He marvels at the amounts of money that people pay for just one ride. The coaches that he had snaffled going into London were not protected like Eagleton’s. If he decided to take anything from these coaches, he would need to be very careful.

“How much does a coachman get?”

“Driver makes twelve shillings per week plus two shillings or a half crown tip. Some passengers, mostly boys, pay extra to sit on the box with a driver. If a driver wants to get more money, he can get more money to let a passenger drive the team. It is a risk. If a driver is caught letting someone else drive, can be fined five to ten pounds.”

“How do they get caught?”

“I pay informers to hide along my routes to report drivers that let others drive.”

“You pay informers?”

“Yes. My coaches, my risk. If a driver wrecks my coach, costs me.”

Richard is surprised that the owner of all the inns and a rich man chose to sit with him. And, that he would talk so much about his business. Did he suspect Richard as someone who would steal from his coaches? How would he have known that Richard once stole from coaches? No, he could not know Richard’s past. This man must just be someone who talks a lot when he drinks Many of the men at Beaky Malones in London wouldn’t say a word until they drank. After, they wouldn’t stop talking.

Elsie comes to the table with a pitcher. Eagleton holds his tankard to her. While she pours, Eagleton keeps his eyes on her. Richard notices that Elsie seems nervous to be under the older man’s stare.

“Thank you, Elsie.”

Elsie quickly turns and goes.

“That’s one pretty girl, eh Richard?” Eagleton slurps another drink from his tankard.

“Pretty, yes, sir.”

“Where was I? Oh, telling you about drivers. Did I tell you about the guards?”

“No, sir, not about the guards.”

The next hour Richard sat listening to Eagleton talk about the coaching business. He described the inns, the good and not so good drivers, the towns and their people and money. During the tale, he drank two more tankards of ale. Elsie had come to the table each time to pour more ale. Each time, Eagleton watched her more intently. Richard didn’t like how Eagleton was behaving with Elsie. He decided to find a way to leave.

“Mr. Eagleton. Should I have your horse under roof?”

“Damn it boy, yes.” He slaps the table with the palm of his hand. “Under roof! That horse needs to be under roof. He’s no carriage horse to be in the weather! Damn expensive horse.”

“I did put him under roof, sir.”

“Good Sharpe. You do have some smarts.” Eagleton seems to calm down when he hears that his horse is well cared for.

“I think I should check on your horse to make sure he is good for the evening. Do you want your saddlebags?”

“Yes, yes check my horse and I want my bags. I want to leave early in the morning. Need him ready to go.”

“Early morning?”

“Yes, before the coaches go. Want to be down the road to watch one go past.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll have your horse ready before I put the coaches teams together.”

“Good, good.”

“May I go, sir?”

“Yes, boy. Go.”

Richard leaves the table to retrieve Eagleton’s bags. After he delivered them to Eagleton, he hastily turns around to go back to the yard. On the way to the door, he stops near Elsie. “Elsie, are you good?”

Elsie looks at Richard. “Yes, Dick, I am good.”

Richard talks quietly. “Are you afraid of Mr. Eagleton?”

Elsie is nervous to answer Richard. “Dick, don’t talk here and now. Another time.”

Richard looks at her, then to Eagleton. “Another time, Elsie.” He leaves her to go to the stableyard.

“I’ll ask her more another time.”

Then he focuses on the horses and making sure that he will wake early to have Eagleton’s horse ready.



The next morning, Richard woke in the dark. He did not know the time, but knew it was early because no one was stirring in the inn. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, then began to saddle Mr. Eagleton’s horse. With the light of a lantern that he lit so that he could work, he noticed how fine the leather of the saddle and stirrups are. “Mr. Eagleton has the money to own very fine things.”

When he finishes he ties the horse to a rail, then pats it on the shoulder.

“Good boy. You are ready to go.”

Richard strides to the inn and opens the door to look inside. He sees that the cook has started the fire and is cooking for the passengers. The heat from the fire is welcome. His nose notes the aroma of the food. He looks forward to eating later. Maybe he can talk with Elsie about Mr. Eagleton then. For now, he has two coaches to prepare.

While he is placing two horses on the first coach, Mr. Eagleton emerges from the inn. He coughs in the cold air as he walks towards Richard. Gruffly he greets Richard. “Good morning, boy.” Eagleton steps to the horse, throws his saddlebags behind the saddle, then ties them in place. He examines his horse before reaching into his waistcoat pocket. “You did good with my horse. Fed him?”

“Watered and fed, sir.”

“Willett is right. You work well. Expect you to take care of Lear every time we come here. Water, feed, out of the weather, rub down. Here, so you remember and do it right.” He gives Richard two pence.

“Thank you, sir. Water, feed, out of the weather, rub down. Every time, sir.”

Eagleton growls, “Every time. Remember.”

He mounts Lear, rubs the side of his head as he tries to clear the fog from the ale the night before. With gaze set ahead, he rides out of the yard.

Richard watches him go. He looks at the two coins in his hand. Two pence. A tip for doing good work? Maybe more than the drivers can earn tips. He puts the coins in his pocket before he returns to preparing the coaches.

As he finishes the second coach, the two drivers come out of the inn. Each driver greets him. “Good morning Dick Sharpe.” These two drivers have seen Richard several times since he came to Keighley. “Cold morning, eh? But, then again it is December and coming on towards Christmas.”

Richard hadn’t considered that Christmas will be soon.

“Good morning. It is cold. Coaches are ready.”

One driver chuckles, “Good thing we have our ‘warm you up’ drinks, eh?” He holds up a bottle of brandy.

Richard chooses not to respond. He walks with each driver as they walk around the coaches to examine his work. The drivers throw their bags of personal items into the coaches’ boxes. As the passengers begin to flow to the yard, the drivers hold the doors and assist the passengers to get in or on the coaches. Richard helps with some of the baggage. He thinks how not so long ago, he would have tried to steal some of the bags off coaches like these. Today, though the bags are safe from him. First one, then the other coach is ready. As they leave the yard, the drivers call out to him. “Fare thee well, Dick, until we return.”

Richard is glad that they are gone. He is hungry. Soon Mr. Willett will arrive to help with the midday and afternoon coaches. Before he arrives, he wants to talk with Elsie.

Inside the inn, Mr. Catherall has bowls of oat porridge dished out for each of the inn’s workers. Elsie sits with Catherall and Oakley. Richard is the last to join them. He sits at the table opposite Elsie. While they eat, Mr. Willett arrives. He ladles a bowl of porridge and joins them.

“Talked with Mr. Eagleton as I came here, Dick. He says you did his horse good.”

“Just did what you showed me.”

“Modest, Dick. Eagleton don’t give praise much. I think we’ll keep you.” Davey chuckles. “Finish your meal. We don’t have anything until midday coaches come.”

Richard is pleased that he has some time to stay inside. When the others leave, he will talk with Elsie about last night.

Inside the inn, Elsie and Mr. Catherall are busy cleaning the pots and dishes. Their breakfast is still in the pot near the fire to keep it warm.

“Good morning Mr. Catherall. Elsie.”

Catherall replies. “Good morning Dick. Get your breakfast. Christmas meal is early. Passengers t’weren’t too hungry. Had dried currants for the porridge today. Enough in the pot for you to have more than one bowl. Left some bread, too. Take some. Have butter and jam.”

Richard looks at the feast of food. He quickly ladles the porridge into his bowl, grabs two slices of bread, lathers them with butter and jam and rushes to ‘his’ table to eat.

Mr. Catherall and Elsie finish with dishes and then join him.

Richard quickly had finished his meal. Catherall looks at his empty bowl. “Go get anther bowl, boy. Will feed it to the animals if you don’t.”

Without hesitating, Richard goes to get another bowl. He eats the second bowl more slowly. Mr. Catherall finishes. Without another word, he returns to cleaning the pots and preparing what he will need for the midday meal.

Elsie has said nothing since Richard entered the room. “Good morning, Elsie. How are you”

“Good morning, Dick.”

Richard waits for her to say more. When she doesn’t, he asks. “Are you afraid of Mr. Eagleton?”

Elsie bows her head before quietly replying, “Yes, I am. Afraid of him. Sometimes he is too familiar with me. He touches me where I don’t want. I need this job. So, I say nothing. But I don’t do anything to make him take interest in me.”

Richard grows angry as he listens to Elsie. “If he treats you wrong, tell me. I’ll make him stop.”

Elsie senses Dick’s anger. “No, Dick. No. Don’t do anything. Don’t say anything.” Elsie bows her head to her chest. “I have nowhere else to go. I need this work.”

“I’ll keep you safe, Elsie.”

She looks up at him. Softly she replies,, “Thank you Dick. I think I can trust you. Don’t do anything unless I tell you.”

“No, won’t. Unless you tell me.”

Elsie looks at him. Nods her head while she takes her bowl and plate to wash them.

Richard watches her go. Last night, Mr. Eagleton talked about her like many of the men talked about Maggie back in London. Maggie earned money from encouraging men and taking them to her bed. Elsie is not lot like that. He worries for Elsie.



CHRISTMAS DAY
ROAD TO SKIPTON

Richard and Elsie have no work on Christmas Day. Coaches finish their runs on Christmas Eve. Don’t start again until day after Christmas. As with the coachmen, Mr. Catherall wanted to finish his work on the Eve so like Dave Willett, he could spend Christmas Day with his family. He had cooked ham and potatoes for Oakley and the three of them for dinner and for the meals that they will eat Christmas Day. He surprised them with a plum duff to finish the meal.

Richard had never had such a meal. For a special treat, they were able to wash it all down with a small mug of rum. With a full stomach and some rum, he felt very rich.

While they ate Christmas Eve dinner, Catherall had asked, “Oakley, how will you celebrate Christmas.”

“Sleep. Eat. Stay warm here.”

And, to Elsie and Richard. “What will you two do?”

When Richard doesn’t reply, Elsie says, “I will go to the orphanage.” North of the inn along road to Skipton, Keighley has an orphanage that is run by the church.

Richard listens. He did not know that there is an orphanage here. He doesn’t like orphanages, especially how they treat the children.

Catherall asks, “Go to the orphanage?”

“Yes, I have a friend that works there. Will help her. Today, is special for the children.”

“Good for you, lass. Christmas is special for children.”

Richard listens and thinks about his Christmas Days in the orphanage. “What do they do special for the children?”

Catherall replies, “The master of the orphanage gives the children a big midday meal with sweet treats. After, the meal, Each child is given a gift that was provided by the patrons.”

This sounds very familiar to Richard. “Do children work at this orphanage?”

“Not on Christmas Day. The rest of the year, the children wash, iron and fold clothes. We send them our linens to wash.”

This is first that Richard thought about the linens that are used at the inn. He knows that Elsie helps in the kitchen and in changing the linens in the sleeping rooms. In the time that he has been there, he has not seen anyone washing linens. Nor had he seen any linens coming or going.

“May I go to the orphanage, too?”

Else looks at him. “Why?”

“I lived in an orphanage in London.”

Catherall says, “An orphan, Dick?”

“Yes, when I was three or four. I don’t really know which.”

Elsie looks more intently at him. She nods “We’ll go together.”

Catherall had slept at the inn with them. Christmas morning he served cold ham and potatoes for them to eat for breakfast and left after he ate.

Elsie ate quickly. “We need to go soon to help with the meal.”



Oakley said to her. “Leave the plates. I’ll clean up.”

Richard quickly finished his meal so that he could join Elsie.

The two said goodbye to Oakley, then left for the orphanage. They walked at a good pace. Richard wanted to talk with Elsie. “How did you learn of the orphanage?”

“Sally Bunting.”

“Sally Bunting?”

“She works at orphanage. Comes with a cart. Collects our linens. Returns them when washed. We talk while we unload the clean and load the dirty linens.”

Elsie says no more until they have walked about twenty minutes from the inn. “We are here.” The orphanage is at Utley, a gathering of buildings smaller than Keighley. On the west side of the road is St. Marks Church. The orphanage is adjacent and behind the church. The church’s cemetary is across the street behind a stone wall.

walks past the church to the entrance. Two doors to permit wagons to come and go are set into the wall. Richard notices that the walls are two floors tall. Only the second floor has windows. The windows’ shutters are closed. He compares it to Jem Hockings. “Smaller than Jem’s. Still built like a prison.”

While he observes the building, Elsie tugs on a rope. Richard hears a bell ring. “To enter, you must ring the bell. Someone will let us in.”

“You come here before?”

“Sometimes. When Mr. Catherall does not need me, I walk here between the meals.”

Richard notices one of the doors open. A girl older than Elsie, more like his age, greets Elsie.

“Merry Christmas, Bunty.”

“Merry Christmas, Elsie.”

Bunty looks behind Elsie. “Who did you bring?”

“This is Dick Sharpe. He works at the inn October.”

Bunty makes a small curtsy. “Pleased to meet you Dick Sharpe. I am Sally Bunting. Elsie and Matthew call me Bunty.”

“Please to meet you Bunty.” Richard frowns. “Matthew Truman calls here, too?”

“Aye, Matthew Truman. Have you met?”

“Yes.”

Elsie tugs Bunty’s arm. “They met. They fight.”

Bunty looks at Richard as Elsie leads her into the orphanage’s yard.

Richard follows them. He notices how small the yard is compared to where he lived.

Bunty takes the lead from Elsie as they approach the door to the building inside the walls. She walks through the door and heads towards the cooking area. Several adults are standing at the cooking pots. Nearby, a man dressed in dark clothing and with the collar of a clergyman is talking with a broad older woman. Bunty leads Elsie and Richard towards them.

“Reverend Hargreaves?”

The man turns towards them. “Yes, Sally.”

“You know Elsie Myers.”

“Yes, Merry Christmas Miss Myers.”

“And this is Dick Sharpe. Now works at the Black Horse They came from town to help us.”

Reverend Hargreaves looks at them. “Miss Myers, it is always good to see you.” Elsie curtsies to him. He turns to Richard. “Merry Christmas, Master Sharpe. We have not met. What brings you here, today?”

“I work at the inn. Elsie told me she would help the orphans. I lived in an orphanage in London.”

The Reverend Hargreaves looks at Richard. “You lived in an orphanage? In London? And yet, you are here? Why did you come to our orphanage?”

“It’s Christmas. When I was at orphanage, Christmas was the best day of the year. No work. Better and more food. Gifts. Want to help here as others did for me.”

Hargreaves looks at him. “What a Christian attitude Master Sharpe. Must have learned some things at your orphanage, eh? We are happy to accept your offer to help.”

Richard doesn’t want to share what he learned from the orphanage nor tell him that he is not a Christian, so he remains quiet.

“We can use some help carrying things to be cooked and given as gifts. After, the children always like to play. The weather is cold, but dry.”

Richard asks, “Do you have a ball to kick? We can play in the yard after they eat and receive the gifts.”

“Yes, yes. We have a ball for them.”

Elsie and Bunty have been listening to Richard and Hargreaves. They look at each other and smile. Elsie is happy that Richard has been so quickly accepted. He may join her for future visits. She will be happy to have him protect her on the walk to and back. When Matthew is here to work, he sometimes walks with her, but not always. She fears walking alone, especially in the dark or bad weather.

Bunty says to Richard, “We will go to the cook pots. There is where the food is brought from outside. They can use your help."

Richard had hoped to help Elsie, but sees that he can talk with others that work there.

Elsie and Bunty talk together while they work. “Elsie, Dick has moon eyes for you too. First Matt, now him.”

“Can’t help it, Bunty. Boys and men go moon crazy around me. I try to hide. Don’t want to give them any ideas. Someday, I want to meet the right man. Marry. Live in a house together. Have children. Not yet. Haven’t found the right man. And, I am not so old.”

“You want a prince, like in the stories, don’t you?”

Elsie giggles, showing a smile for the first time in a while. “No prince. Rich would be nice, though.”

Bunty gives her a light shove, then giggles too. “Yes, rich would be nice.”

“What will you do about Matt and Dick?”

“Be friends.”

“So they can protect you?”

Elsie nods.

“Do you think that they will let it be at only friends?”

“No, but with two, can have one keep the other away from me.”

“Ah, yes, two after you. But, never one alone to harm you.”

Elsie and Bunty continue to talk but change to how the boys will help Elsie with Mr. Eagleton.



Richard had gone to the rear door to the building to offer to help bring things in from outside. A man and two boys are carrying baskets of potatoes and turnips into the building. Richard walks to the man.

“Good morning.”

“Who are you?”

“Richard Sharpe. Came with Elsie and Bunty to help.”

“Well Sharpe, I’m Mr. Mason. Welcome. Thank you for helping. We have baskets of vegetables and sacks of clothing to unload. Lads here have the vegetables. Take the sacks and place them there.” He points to a place opposite the food line.

Richard goes outside to the cart to retrieve a sack. Each time he reenters the room, he glances towards the girls. While he is helping, he sees Matt Truman enter the hall. Matt moves to where Elsie and Bunty are helping to cook. Talks with them, then comes towards Richard. Matt greets Mr. Mason, but ignores Richard. Mason notes that Matt has not addressed Sharpe.

“Merry Christmas, Master Truman. Here to help again, eh? The boys have all the baskets in. Help them take them to the cook pots, will ye?”

“Merry Christmas, Mr. Mason. Gladly.”

As he walks away, Mr. Mason talks to Richard.

“Master Truman doesn’t like you.”

“No, he doesn’t.”

“Elsie?”

“Think so.”

“Truman been following her since she came to the inn. You’re new. He won’t like you getting between him and her.”

“I’m not between them.”

“He thinks you are.”

Richard looks to the cook area to watch Matt with Elsie and Bunty.

“His problem, not mine.”

“He’ll make it yours.”

Richard thinks about what Mr. Mason has said. He looks back at the hall.

“I lived in an orphanage in London. Helped attendants there. How much money do you skim?”

“Skim? We don’t skim, here.” Mr. Mason huffs at Richard.

“With respect, every orphanage skims.”

Mr. Mason remains silent, but then starts to share with Richard how the orphanage is run.



Time passes quickly for Richard. The meal is cooked and served. The Reverand Hargreaves talks to the children. Then they are marched to the tables with the clothing that Richard had carried. As he watches, he observes how this day compares to when he was at the orphanage.

Well before the sun will set, Elsie, with Matt following her, comes to Richard.

“We should go to be to the inn before dark.”

“When you are ready.” Richard addresses her. Then looks at Matt. “Is he joining us?”

“Do I need to escort you, Elsie? This one doesn’t look trustworthy.”

“Richard will keep me safe, Matt. Keighley is opposite to where you live.”

Sternly, Matt addresses Richard. “You best keep Elsie safe.”

Elsie signals Bunty to walk with them. The four leave. Outside the orphanage by the church, Bunty and Elsie say goodbye. Before Matt turns towards Skipton, he grabs Richard’s arm.

“Maybe I wasn’t clear in there. Keep away from Elsie. “ Matthew is jealous. He doesn’t like that Richard is sleeping under the same roof as Elsie.

Richard shoves Matt away. “Keep away from me. I talk with Elsie. Nothing more.”

Matt swings a punch at Richard . “You don’t listen.”

But, he misses. Richard was ready this time. He returns the punch which leads to Matt and Richard grappling in front of the girls. Elsie and Bunty rush to the boys to pull them apart.

“Stop.”

“Stop.”

Each girl gets in front of one of the boys. Bunty pushes Matt towards Skipton.

“Go Matt. Elsie will be safe with Dick.”

“Matt, I’ll be safe.”

Matt scowls then turns to leave.

Bunty turns to Richard.

“Your coat is torn. If you leave it, I’ll sew for you. Will return when I come for the linens.”

Richard looks at the shoulder seam that was ripped. He will need the coat. If it isn’t sewn, he could loose the sleeve. He removes his coat then hands it to Bunty.

“Thank you, Bunty.”

“Dick. Elsie. Thank you for helping the children today.” Bunty carries Richard’s coat as she turns and goes back to the orphanage.

Richard and Elsie walk back to inn. Elsie avoids talking to him for the first minutes as they walk. Richard is cold during the walk, but enjoys being the one who walks Elsie back.

“Thank you for helping. The children were so happy."

“They are luckier than I was. They get more from the patrons.”

“More? Yet they have so little. And, work so hard.”

“Mr. Mason told me that The Reverend skims half of what was given to the orphanage for himself. The kids don’t get to see much. London, we were lucky to get a quarter of what the owner was receiving.”

“Maybe, we can help more for the children.”

Richard knows that The Reverend controls the spending. He will not change unless he has to.

“We can try, Elsie. Today the children had one good day. Thank you for asking me to join you.”

Richard remembered why he liked Christmas.


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