Posted by Jon on August 29, 2000 at 14:28:20 from 199.158.80.11:
In Reply to: Re: Picts and Martyrs - electric power, Beckfoot posted by Bruce A Clarke on August 29, 2000 at 04:42:42:
PP was the last time we actually saw Roger at the lake - and the only time he spent an appreciable amount of time at Beckfoot. He might have been messing around with a hypothetical generator during odd moments, but Ransome wouldn't have bothered writing about it since it didn't add anything to the story, unlike WDMTGTS later that year, where having an engineer served some purpose. Having him poking around the Beckfoot launch or Rattletrap likewise wouldn't add to any of the lake stories, and there isn't any mention of the Walkers ever taking the steamer, for which the engine room would surely be off-limits to all.
As for Beckfoot being ablaze with lights, even without electricity they would undoubtedly have adequate lighting for the living areas for entertainment purposes at least. I wouldn't expect the entire upper floor (bedrooms) to be lit up, but the living room, parlor, library, Captain Flint's study and the dining room undoubtedly had all available lighting on while everyone checked for stolen goods. It's also possible that during the PP renovations electrical lighting was installed, and thus Roger missed his chance to play with a generator since one hadn't yet been installed.