Tommy only had one thing on his mind—the tripe for Christmas dinner. And he was not about to let, what he perceived to be, a small accident prevent him from thatgoal.
“Sir, I need to go back down. You asked for coal. You will get yourcoal.”
“Now, that’s more like it,” the Misses said, crossing her arms over her amplebosom.
The butcher was surprised by the lad’spluck.
“But are you certain you are able to dothat?”
“Yes, sir. It will just take a moment. Sorry for thedelay.”
Tommy did not want to waste any time, and he hobbled from the rooms down again to the cellar. He could tell he would show bruises and his left knee was scraped, but he also knew he was not seriouslyinjured.
Diana checked the clock and put down her pen. She would need to work on this later. This was an important day. It was time to escort her father and Adam to the solicitors to sign the papers for theleasehold.
As she prepared herself to leave, she heard knocking at the front door. It was, undoubtedly, Adam. He always tended to be a little early. She hoped her father would answer the door. But the knocking continued, so she went to answer itherself.
She opened the door to find a gentleman she did notknow.
“Is this the home of Professor GeorgeBrowning?”
“Yes, itis.”
“Is heavailable?”
“Might I ask who is calling?” sheinquired.
“I am Sir Desmond Gallagher in service of Her Majesty the Queen. Might I speak to the professorpersonally?”
“Yes, of course, please comein.”
She led him to the sitting-room.
“I will fetch himimmediately.”
“Thankyou.”
“Make yourself comfortable. He will be right withyou.”
Diana raced upstairs and knocked on her father’s study door and wentinside.
“Are we ready to leave for the solicitors?” heasked.
“No, Father,” she said, both excited and flustered. “There is a gentleman who asks to seeyou.”
“Agentleman?”
“His name is Sir Desmond Gallagher and he says he is from HerMajesty.
Father looked at her not comprehending. “The Queen? Our Queen?Victoria?”
“Yes,Father.”
“Oh, my. I hope she doesn’t want to lop off myhead.”
Diana laughed. “Oh, Father. You know that could not be thecase.”
“Well, one never knows. Perhaps I published something seditious without realizingit.”
