“Will you walk with me?”
Words arranged in this fashion appear from time to time in British period writings. Usually they appear at a time of elevated drama, or maybe at a time when key information or thoughts need to be known or shared not only with characters in the story, but also with you and I, the reader/viewer.
“Walking with me” usually involves a stroll through an English or Scottish countryside with say the North Sea or another body of water just off in the distance. It might be arm-in-arm if the walkers happen to be of opposite sex and potentially with hopes of a relationship.
I don’t think Joyce and I ever actually said the words “walk with me.” But back in the day in late evenings we often walked the streets of downtown Dundee. It was in Scotland, and occassionaly there was a glimpse of the River Tay, so it might count. These days we find ourselves walking arm-in-arm again, but now it’s to help each other along.
But I digress.
Is “walk with me” a gentle invitation, a request, or maybe a command?
Might I suggest it could be all of the above.
We have the case of Mr. Hockley in Philip Allan’s In Northern Seas in the early eighteen-hundreds.
Mr. Hockley and his young daughter Sarah find themselves guests of Capt. Alexander Clay aboard the Royal Navy frigate HMS Griffin. A merchant. Mr. Hockley was captain of his own cargo ship which the French in the process of capturing, burned. Mr. Hockley and Sarah, his daughter, were rescued by Capt. Clay and his crew.
Capt. Clay affords the Hockleys space in the very crowded and very male-dominated officers wardroom of the Griffin. As you might imagine, the young lady instantly becomes quite an attraction on the men-only frigate.
The naval officers are all attracted to the comely young Miss Hockley, but she shows a particular interest in young Lt. Preston. Lt. Preston is a well-liked young man. He is recovering from the loss of an arm in a previous battle at sea.
Lt. Preston’s fellow officers are happy that the young and beautiful Sarah shows an interest in the young Lieutenant who has a bit of trouble with self-esteem as a result of the recent loss of his arm.
It seems the attraction is mutual and Lt. Preston and the young lady move from sitting next to one another at dinner in the crowded wardroom to walking and talking near the rail of the quarterdeck.
This however does not sit well with Mr. Hockley. He finds his daughter and the Lieutenant in close conversation along the ship’s rail. He formally greets them then sends his daughter below decks and says to Lt. Preston, “perhaps you would walk with me a while. There is something I wish to discuss with you.”
As an attentive reader you might see this as more of a command than a request and you might further anticipate this may not end well especially for the young Lieutenant.
So here you have an example of information about to be passed while someone walks with someone else.
Lt. Preston while walking with Mr. Hockley is bluntly informed that he is in no way good enough for Mr. Hockley’s daughter, after all he’s missing an arm for goodness sake. Mr. Hockley has someone much better in mind for his daughter. Lt. Preston is instructed not to see her again.
“Walking with me” in this case had a very special purpose. We could almost see it coming. I’ve not finished the book so I do not know if the young Lieutenant followed the father’s wishes, conveyed to him as they walked. Knowing the author and the storyline, I think not, but we shall see.
“Walking with me” doesn’t always end badly. I’ve been there in books or movies when a young man/woman shared honest feelings of love or attraction that couldn’t have been shared had they not “walked with me.”
Whatever the reason for saying ‘will you walk with me,” as it happens, it’s a great social activity.
“Going for a brisk walk with one or more friends is a form of socializing, which is essential for good health. Socializing helps stave off isolation and loneliness, which are associated with heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, depression, chronic stress, and premature death.
This socializing also helps exercise the brain, which protects your thinking skills. When you socialize, your brain interprets people’s facial expressions, speech, emotions, and body language, and then powers your reactions — turning your thoughts into words, facial expressions, and body movements. That extra effort from socializing, even if you’re unaware of it, promotes brain cell connections, which keeps thinking and memory sharp.
The physical work of a walk also stimulates the growth of new brain cells. So when you socialize while you walk, you get a double dose of brain health benefits.”
See how good this walk was for you? You feel better already don’t you? Harvard University says this, so it must be right.
So find another person, say the keywords “walk with me,” and off you go.
You’ll be the better for it.
Oh, Lt. Preston and Sarah are to be married. I was certain you would want to know.