The Golden Specific by S. E. Grove Read Free Book Online Page B

her classes, the forecast in the
Farmer’s Almanac
is very auspicious, and I love the smell of foreign breezes in June!”
    Shadrack shook his head with mock exasperation. “At least take a few minutes to tell us about the Indian Territories before you leave in search of savory foreign breezes, Miles.”
    â€œWell, if we all leave together, Theo and I can report along the way!”
    Sophia and Mrs. Clay laughed.
    â€œMiles,” Shadrack remonstrated, “I am forced to conclude that you expressly intend to torment me. Knowing full well that the Ministry confines me to Boston like a rabbit in a pen, or achicken in a coop, or—more accurately—a helpless prisoner in jail . . .”
    â€œVery well, very well,” scoffed Miles. “I can see that the Ministry has given you license to put on airs, and that now there are too many other issues of importance competing for your time, so that even the merest little sea voyage—a slight skip and a jump—is an interruption to Great Matters of State.”
    Sophia and Theo exchanged grins.
    â€œBy all means, Miles,” Shadrack burst out, “let me resign my post at once and nominate you. I would do anything to rid myself of the unfathomable Matters of State and the inevitable headaches that accompany them.” He sighed and said in a more serious tone, “In truth, I would not wish the Ministry position on my greatest enemy.”
    â€œNot even the magnificent, handsome, and brilliant Gordon Broadgirdle?” Miles’s voice was heavy with sarcasm. “Surely you could spare the esteemed member of parliament a headache or two, if only to remind him of how it feels to be mortal.”
    â€œWell.” Shadrack smiled, as if determined to see the problem humorously. “Perhaps Broadgirdle.” He stood up with sudden energy. “But on such a night we should be celebrating, not inviting thoughts of our least favorite MP into our midst! If you’ll join me upstairs, you’ll see that I’m not entirely unprepared for a small celebration. I have ginger beer and two meat pies from the Stamp and Whistle, and Mrs. Clay bought the largest maple-sugar cake she could find at Oliver Hamilton’s.Miles and Theo, if you would kindly bring the maps to show us every mile of your progress, we will have everything we need.”
    Miles bounded for the stairs. “Theo will have to do the talking; my mouth will be full.”
    Mrs. Clay followed him, muslin skirts bunched in her hands to avoid tripping on the stairs, with Shadrack close on her heels. “Hurry, Mrs. Clay, for Fates’ sake,” Shadrack urged her. “The man will leave us nothing to eat, and we’ll be forced to make a meal of the crumbs on the floor.”
    â€œWhat a good thing the maple cake is upstairs in my apartment, then,” Mrs. Clay replied.
    â€œOh, he’ll find it,” Shadrack cried. “Nothing is safe from that man’s stomach, not even the kitchen table.”
    Sophia and Theo laughingly followed. “Hey,” Theo said, grasping Sophia’s hand as they climbed the stairs. “How have you been?”
    Sophia smiled, the sudden shyness she had felt at first seeing him momentarily returning. “Fine.” She squeezed his hand. “I’m glad you’re back.”
    â€œMe, too. Shadrack says you’ve been spending all your time at the library.”
    Sophia looked down at her feet. “Yes. Just trying to decipher the letter. I’ve made no progress. Right now I’m trying to read through three hundred volumes that might possibly have some clue.”
    â€œWell, now it’s summer. Maybe,” he went on, his voice light, “it’s time to take a little break from that letter.”
    Sophia looked up at him with surprise. They had reached the top of the stairs. “Take a break from the letter?” she asked, astonished, as if he had suggested burning