The Measure of Temperance (The Adventures of Ichabod Temperance Book 6) by Ichabod Temperance Read Free Book Online

badge from his bra strap.
    “I think I will hang onto this as a little memento of my time here this afternoon. Come Monsieur Sku Le’Bizzare, allow me to escort you from this house of uncouth ruffians.”
    “Harumph!”
     

Chapter Four:
The Evening Follies
    P.O.V. Mr. Kit Eppington
     
    “Persephone! The follies were a delight, but doubly so in your enchanting company, my dear. I do hope you enjoyed the show yourself?”
    “ O O O O OO O Oh, Kit ! I cannot remember when I have had as much fun! I do so thank you for taking me on this wonderful date.”
    What a thrill it is to be the source of happiness in this British beauty’s eyes.
    “I confess, I actually had no thoughts for the performance tonight. These were reserved only for my lovely companion.”
    “What a charming thing to say, Kit. Ah, here is our carriage to take us away.”
    “May I have the honour of assisting you aboard, Persephone?”
    “Why the privilege would be mine, I assure you, K... Oh, bother.”
    “Persephone! What is the matter? You suddenly appear despondent.”
    “Well, do you remember my mentioning the ‘Revelatory Comet’ affected tinkerer that I have been traveling with?”
    “Yes, my dear.”
    “Well, he is running up the street, in a peculiar zig-zag pattern. The frantic swing of his head to and fro as he bobs about gives indication of a searching intent. He appears to be looking for someone or some thing. I suspect that I myself am the quarry being sought. There, I do believe he has spotted us.”
    “Huhh! Huhh! Huhh! - gasp! - Huhh! Huhh! Huhh!”
    “ Mr. Temperance, you approach us out of breath and gasping for air. To what do we owe this state of dishevelment, sir?”
    “Huhh! Huhh! Huhh! I … ran … all …. the … way ... , … here. Huhh! Huhh! Huhh!”
    “Persephone, darling, might I prevail upon you to introduce me to your little friend?”
    “Oh, of course, forgive me, Kit. Mr. Kit Eppington, may I introduce you to Ichabod Temperance.”
    “Temperance, eh? Well, it’s a fine thing to meet you, my boy.”
    “Huhh. Huhh. Huhh. Yessir. … Mr. Eppington, …  sir. … Huhh.”
    “Persephone tells me you are some kind of mechanically inclined genius! A prodigy from the passing of the ‘Revelatory Comet’, eh, what. That is extraordinary! How I envy you! Your little rural intellect has been elevated to incredible levels! Now you can focus your thoughts to achieve incredible results! Your mind is like a highly-energized rat on a treadmill! All thoughts are zeroed in on clockwork problem solving. That is amazing! I know I could never be as you sir. No, my wild and uncivilized intellect is of a harder and more brutal aspect. How I wish I could get my mind to think in the practical world of invention, but alas, I know that my free and open spirit cannot be tethered to your brilliant heights, Temperance, old boy. My word, a real live genius, right here before me. How Jolly good!”
    … “Huhh.”
    “Eh, hem. This theatre is at least eight miles from the hotel. Am I correct in assuming by your arrival, that you ran the entire way?”
    “Yes, Ma’am.”
    “I see. Could you impart the reason for this minor marathon?”
    “Um, you forgot your parasol, Miss Plumtartt.”
    “Mr. Temperance?”
    “Yes, Ma’am?”
    “It is after ten o’clock in the evening. I am not in requirement of solar protection.”
    “Oh. Yeah. Right. I guess that makes sense. Well, here you go, if ya want it.”
    “No thank you, sir. I believe I prefer to retrieve it during the daylight hours, when its use will be more appropriate. I would look pretty silly walking around with a frilly white parasol at this time, would I not? You may convey it back to its rightful place for me.”
    “Yes, Ma’am.”
    “Well it’s been a fine thing, meeting you Temperance,” I say to the lad. His face contains certain attributes that put me in mind of a Bassett Hound. “Cheerio, Old Boy!”
    “Uhb.”
    A sudden gust of wind snatches the parasol