William.

Episode 2 : The Fallen Idol

When he returned home that evening, he found the garden the scene of excitement and commotion. A policeman was measuring the windows of the porch door and another was on his knees examining the nearby flower beds. His older sister, Ethel, stood at the front door.

"All the flowers on the porch were stolen this morning," she said excitedly. "We were only able to contact the police. William, did you see anyone on your way to school this morning? »

William thought a lot. His most sincere and innocent expression appeared on his face.

"No," he finally said. "No, Ethel, I didn't see anyone."

William coughed and retreated in silence.

In the evening, he sat at the library table, spreading his books around him, a frown on his small face. His father was sitting in an armchair by the window reading the evening paper.

- Father, said Guglielmo suddenly, if I came to you and said that you would give me a hundred pounds and I would give you five the following year and so on, would you give it to me?

"I didn't, son," said the father firmly.

William sighed.

"I knew there was something wrong," he said.

Mr. Brown returned to the main article, but not for long. "Dad, when was the Armada date?" »

"My God! How did he know? He wasn't there."

William sighed.

"Well I tried to write about it and why did it fail and… why did it fail?" »

Mr. Brown groaned, picked up his newspaper and retreated into the dining room.

He had almost finished the main article when William appeared, his arms full of books, and sat down quietly at the table.

"Dad, how do you say 'my aunt is walking in the garden' in French?"

"But what do you do then?" asked Mr. Brown nervously. "I do my lessons at home," said William virtuously.

"I didn't even know you had things to do." »

"No," William agreed softly, "I'm not usually too worried about it, but now, because Miss Drew" - he blushed a little and stopped - "because Miss Drew" - he blushed deeper. and he began to stammer, "w-why Miss Drew"—he was almost apoplectic.

Mr. Brown quietly picked up his newspaper and slipped out onto the porch, where his wife sat with the week's repairs.

"William went into the dining-room absolutely miserable," she said pleasantly as she sat down. "It comes in the form of a thirst for knowledge and gossip Miss Drawing, or Drew, or something like that. It's better to leave it alone."

Mrs. Brown just smiled quietly as she saw the correction.

Mr. Brown had finished one particular article and begun another before William reappeared. He stopped in the doorway, his brow furrowed and stern.

"Dad, what is the capital of the Netherlands?"

"My God!" said his father "Buy an encyclopedia. Something, something. Who's taking me?" What you do…"

"Better give him a separate room for homework," said Mrs. Brown reassured, "now that he began to take so much interest in her." »

"One piece!" repeated the father bitterly. “He wants a healthy home.

Mrs. Drew was surprised and touched by William's seriousness and attentiveness the next day. When school ended in the afternoon, he kindly offered to bring his books home. He dismissed all protests. He went home beside her, looking pleasant, his little face lit up with devotion.

"I like pirates, don't you, Miss Drew? What about thieves and stuff? Miss Drew, would you like to marry a thief?"

He was trying to reconcile his old dream of his future fortune with the new dream of becoming Miss Drew's husband.

"No," he said firmly. His heart sank.

"Not even a pirate?" he said sadly.

"No. "

"They are very good indeed, the pirates," he assured her.

"I don't think so. "

"Well," he said resignedly, "we're just going to go hunt wild animals and stuff." It will be very good. »

"What you do?" she asked worriedly. "Okay, wait a minute," he said darkly.

Then: "Would you rather be married to the Archbishop of York or the Pope?" »

"Archbishop, I believe," he said gravely.

He nodded.

"All right."

She was clearly amused. He had less fun the next evening. Mrs. Drew had a cousin, a very handsome cousin, with whom she often walked in the evening. In the evening, by chance, they passed by Guglielmo's house, and Guglielmo, who was in the garden, abandoned his temporary role as a pirate and joined them. He happily moved to Miss Drew's other side. He completely monopolized the conversation. The cousin seemed to encourage her, which Miss Drew noticed. He refused to leave despite Miss Drew's persistent insinuations. He had various interesting topics to share and shared them with the air of one who is sure to be heard with appreciation. He had found a dead mouse the day before and gave it to his dog, but his dog didn't like dead mice, and neither did the old cat, so he buried it. Did Miss Drew like all those flowers she gave him the other day? He was afraid that he could not carry more than these at the time. Were they pirates now? Well, what would people do if there was one? He didn't understand why there wouldn't be any more pirates now. He thought he was starting, anyway. He wanted to shoot a lion. He had a day. Draw a lion and a tiger. He would give Miss Drew the skin back, if she wanted. He became recklessly generous. He brought home many skins of all kinds of animals for Miss Drew.

"Don't you think I should go home, William?" said Miss Drew coldly.

Guglielmo was quick to reassure him.

William sat on a bench with Miss Drew and her cousin. WILLIAM HAD A LOT OF INTERESTING THINGS TO SAY, AND HE SAID IT IN THE SPIRIT OF ONE WHO HAD PROVIDED AN APPRECIATIVE LISTENER. "Oh, no, not for long," he said.

"Isn't it time to sleep?" »

"Oh, no, not yet, not for a long time."

The cousin gave William his undivided attention.

"What does Miss Drew teach you at school, William?" he said.

- Oh, just unpleasant things. Weapons and all that. And a story about a hundred pound loan. It's a pretty sweet thing. I understand, he added hastily, for fear of further explanation, but it's sweet. My father thinks so too and he must know. He is often outside. He was chased by a bull, my father...

The shadows of the night were falling fast when William arrived at Miss Drew's house, still talking anxiously. He was drunk on success. He interpreted the silence of his idol as the silence of joyful admiration. He was passing through the gate with his two companions, looking sure he would be welcome, when Miss Drew closed the door firmly behind him.

"You'd better go home now, William," she said.

William hesitated.

"I don't mind going in a bit," he said. "I'm not tired."

But Miss Drew and the cousin were already halfway there. Guglielmo went home. He met Ethel at the door.

"William, where have you been?" I looked for you everywhere. It is already time for you to go to bed for hours. »

"I was going for a walk with Miss Drew."

"But I should get home before bed." »

"I don't think she wanted me to leave," he said with dignity. "I do not think it would be good. William found that a new and serious element had entered his life. It was not without its faults. He amused himself with much trifle during the lessons. Despite his devotion to Miss Drew , he missed his former days of carefree exuberance, but he kept his new front-row seat and stuck to his role as a serious student. He was also beginning to realize that homeschooling limited his after-hours activities, but for now he tightened the chains. Mrs. Drew, from her place on the platform, found William's intent and animated look somewhat tiresome and his questions even more tiresome.

As he left the school, he heard another teacher talking.

"I really like the syringe," he said. "I want to have some."

Guglielmo decided to bring syringes, fistfuls of syringes, arms of syringes. He immediately returned to the gardener.

"No, I don't have a syringe. Please get off my rose bed, Mr. William. No, there are no syringes in this garden. I don't know why. Leave my pipe alone, Mr. William. »

"Huh!" cried William, turning scornfully.

He walked through the garden. The gardener was absolutely right. There were vine roses everywhere, but no syringe.