Greythorne by L.M. Merrington

Author:L.M. Merrington [Merrington, L.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: PAC Books
Published: 2015-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

For the past few months I had dined with the Professor at least once a week, but as November unfolded I began to see less and less of him. He must have been working hard, for when I did glimpse his countenance I noticed how thin and worn he looked – quite different from the handsome, charming man I had met upon my arrival.

One day in mid-November Sophie and I were sitting at the schoolroom table, poring over history books, when we were interrupted by the opening door. I knew at once who it must be, for Jonas always knocked, and, sure enough, the Professor entered. I was shocked by his appearance, for even though I had previously thought him much altered, I was ill prepared for how unwell he looked. His face was thin, almost gaunt; the sunken cheeks made his pale eyes seem preternaturally large. His moustache was still luxuriant, but looked in need of a trim. He also appeared to have lost a considerable amount of weight; his trousers, shirt and waistcoat all drooped on his thin frame as if they had been intended for a much larger man. I suspected he had been sleeping little, for he seemed much fatigued, and though I knew from my irregular meals with him that his appetite was unaltered, I guessed he was of the temperament to become so absorbed in his work as to forget at other times to take sustenance.

All these calculations I made in the blink of an eye, and hoped I did so without his notice. It was unusual for him to enter the schoolroom; indeed, entire weeks passed without us seeing hide or hair of him. I wondered that he could bear to be parted so long from his daughter, but it did not seem to concern him. For her part, Sophie had never remarked on his absence in my hearing, but I surmised that this was the result of expectations dampened by long periods of desolation, rather than by a want of feeling.

“Hello, Papa,” Sophie said.

“Sophie; Miss Featherstone.” He offered me a small half-bow, glancing at his daughter with something that on a different face might have been a smile. “I’ve come to advise you that I shall be rowing over to the mainland today, and expect to be gone several weeks. There are some materials that I must locate for my latest experiment. Jonas will remain here and will see to your needs.”

Sophie had jumped to her feet at hearing ‘mainland’; now she ran to her father and tugged at his coat. “May I come, Papa? Please?” Her cheeks glowed with sudden excitement; with her bright eyes imploring him she was the very picture of youthful supplication.

The Professor, however, was unmoved by these childish pleas, though he did pat her head in a somewhat affectionate manner. “No, my dear,” he said in a tone I recognized as final, “this is a business matter. It’s no place for little children. You stay here with Miss Featherstone and learn your lessons, there’s a good girl.

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