“Go on, be a little more specific,” said the Man in the Wing Chair, offering her a slice of pineapple.
Miss Prim untied her apron, put down the book and the feather duster, and accepted the fruit. Meanwhile, he moved two old armchairs over to the window and politely invited her to sit down.
“Please tell me about the clamor, Miss Prim. I would never have imagined that a head as neat and delicate as yours might have contained any turmoil.”
“Have you never experienced a kind of inner noise?”
Before answering, he carefully cut another slice of pineapple, divided it in two, and handed her a piece.
“Actually, I’ve heard it almost all my life.”
Surprised, she stopped eating.
“Really? You don’t seem like that sort of person. How did you manage to silence it?”
Dazzled by the sunlight, the Man in the Wing Chair closed his eyes and rested his feet on an old planter.
“I haven’t managed to.”
“So you still hear it?”
“I didn’t say that. All I said was thatIhaven’t managed to.”
“But if you haven’t, that means you still hear it,” insisted Miss Prim, puzzled.
“Let’s say I’ve largely stopped hearing it, but it’s not an achievement I can ascribe to my own efforts. A woman as well educated as you ought to recognize the distinction.”
“You seize every opportunity to criticize my education, don’t you?” she said tartly. “Why do you do it?”
He turned his head and looked at her for a moment before answering.
“Can’t you guess? You’re the perfect product of the modern education system, Prudencia. For someone in permanent opposition to that system, like me, it’s an irresistible provocation. Also,” he added teasingly, “I’d like to remind you that I’m quite a bit older than you.”
Miss Prim took another piece of pineapple and regarded the man beside her with a mischievous glint in her eye.
“I estimate you must be at least as old as the Venerable Bede.”
“Let’s say I’m a good few years older than you.”
“Let’s say you’re five years and six months older, to be precise.”
The Man in the Wing Chair opened his eyes just in time to see her rise quickly and cross the room. He followed her, with half a pineapple in one hand and a knife in the other.
“Tell me about the noise, Miss Prim.”
“Why should I?” she snapped.
“Because I’d like to get to know you. You’ve been here almost two months and I hardly know anything about you.”
Turning away, the librarian climbed the old wooden library ladder and began reshelving theEcclesiastical History.
“There’s not much I can tell you.”
“You could at least try.”
“If I do, will you leave me in peace to get on with my work?”
“You have my word.”
