mistressmaryquitecontrary

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Professor Wolfe has kindly offered to tutor Mary Lennox in mathematics. And they do, in fact, spend most of the time allotted to the tutoring sessions talking about math. It is a subject in which Mary earnestly wishes to excel, and her scores have improved tremendously.

Just not quite all of the time.

"There is something queer about the dog," Mary says, scowling. "It is the sort of thing that would happen in Milliways - not here. It is not our sort of Magic."

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"- oh! Yes, I knew that," Mary says, relieved - the conversation is making sense again.

"That is why I thought it did not like you. But I did not know for certain whether it could tell. It is a very stupid dog - and it would seem foolish for a dog to bark at a wolf."

She's not going to take up the argument in favor of her classmates' intelligence by any means.

"You may wish to remember that intelligence and instinct are often worlds apart. One is, oftentimes, far wiser a choice to listen to than the other."

One eyebrow is still carefully raised.

"Still and all--I do believe someone--the Loompas, is it? Took pains to throw a suitcase after you as you were spontaneously evicted."

His voice is very carefully dry and dispassionate. Really.

"The little purebred fool may have found the remnants of such a thing. I've no idea what might have been in it. You wouldn't happen to know, Mary, would you?"

"I opened it to look," Mary says, and makes a disgusted face. "It was not easy to tell. It looked like it might have been something living at one time, perhaps some sort of meat, but it certainly was not useful. I could hardly have brought it to school with me!"

She sounds more than a little defensive. Also, she is loud. Anyone standing in the hallway might easily get an earfull.

"Even the suitcase was not worth saving. I expected the creatures in the forest would eat it eventually, but -

"- you don't think the dog could have eaten it? But he is always in the school!"

Galadan takes great care not to laugh.

"One or more new arrivals--"

Here he gestures very slightly, indicating himself--

"--may have prompted some rather rash action on his part. Hardly unexpected, though I thought little enough of it at the time."

Mary looks disapproving.

"If a person is going to care for a dog in a school, it is their job to be sure it does not eat anything unwise."

Apparently the disapproval is not aimed at Galadan.

"I do suspect it is wisest not to speculate on the dietary practices of the headmistress, particularly as it regards her dearest companion."

Would that he were kidding.

It takes Mary a few moments to get it, but when she does, she claps her hands over her mouth to stop herself from letting out a loud laugh.

She lowers her hands a second later, face already solemn again, and demands, "You do not think it has made the dog dangerous, do you? I should have thought - there might have been some sort of trap or poison in the item in the suitcase."

After all, Puck is the only person Mary has known in Milliways to traffic in body parts, and she does not trust him one bit.

"Dangerous chiefly to socks and women's petticoats, near as I can tell."

He relays, in brief, the curious incident in what passes for a teacher's lounge.

"Hardly earthshaking."

"But there is the sparkling," Mary says anxiously. "It might be poison. Do you think you might keep an eye on Miss Twaite to see if she falls ill? I shall do so as well, but maths is awfully distracting."

"Thus far she has proven to be quite well, but have little doubt I will take care to keep her under observation."

It hardly takes much effort.

"Thank you." Mary is very serious. "I should like to know if there were a danger to anyone."

It is just possible that after Milliways, Mary is finding life at boarding school more than a little dull and low on excitement.

Or maybe she's just a concerned good Samaritan!

"Rest assured you will be the first student I shall inform."

Not that this means much.

"And speaking of your studies--I do believe it is time for your dancing class today, Miss Lennox. Do remember to return your text to the shelf on your way out."

Maybe it was because I thought Vancouver would be a little better. Maybe it was the fact that only a few roads west you’re able to see beautiful buildings bordered by swept streets and shiny high heels.

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