Chapter 4
The combination of the comfortable pace of coastal living and my anticipation made the day pass far too slowly. John amused himself by visiting the local library. I, however, could not bring myself to do anything productive. I sat in the front parlor of the inn, making conversation with various townsfolk.
Around teatime, I was introduced to a young man named Frederick Hewitt. He quickly informed me that he was a student at Oxford, studying medicine. We engaged in a friendly debate about ethics and science. Impressed by his sincerity, I gave him my card and offered him an apprenticeship should he choose to move to London.
He laughed ruefully. "I would be honored, Dr. Jekyll," he said, "but I'm not entirely sure that I want to move to London. You see, that would force me to make a choice that I'm not certain I can make."
I was intrigued. "What sort of choice?" I asked.
He cleared his throat. "Well..." He looked around cautiously, making sure he wasnt within earshot of anyone. After he had ascertained that his secret was safe, he continued. "At the urging of my parents, I began to court this girl named Elizabeth. Her father's a prominent barrister, as is mine. I enjoy her company immensely, she's very pretty...and her parents want us to marry. But..." he paused, as if he was preparing to confess the wickedest sin, "...I've met this girl here. Her name is Veronica, and she's Elizabeth's opposite in every way. She's got dark hair that falls down her back...Elizabeth has fair hair that she wears pinned up..." He began to get flustered. "As much as I care about Elizabeth...Veronica...makes me feel...like...I can't explain. But Veronica has no wealth, no title, no prospects. She works at the Garden...that's the local pub..." He suddenly looked terribly guilty. "Please don't tell anyone. I'm living with my aunt for the summer, and if she were to find out what I've been doing and who I've been associating with, she'd tell my parents. I can't let that happen."
I smiled. "No, you can't. I promise to stay silent...under one condition..."
His guilty expression turned into one of bemusement. "What sort of condition?" he inquired.
"Accompany me to the Garden," I commanded. "I have a Veronica of my own to meet.
Frederick smiled a knowing smile as we headed outside.
The combination of the comfortable pace of coastal living and my anticipation made the day pass far too slowly. John amused himself by visiting the local library. I, however, could not bring myself to do anything productive. I sat in the front parlor of the inn, making conversation with various townsfolk.
Around teatime, I was introduced to a young man named Frederick Hewitt. He quickly informed me that he was a student at Oxford, studying medicine. We engaged in a friendly debate about ethics and science. Impressed by his sincerity, I gave him my card and offered him an apprenticeship should he choose to move to London.
He laughed ruefully. "I would be honored, Dr. Jekyll," he said, "but I'm not entirely sure that I want to move to London. You see, that would force me to make a choice that I'm not certain I can make."
I was intrigued. "What sort of choice?" I asked.
He cleared his throat. "Well..." He looked around cautiously, making sure he wasnt within earshot of anyone. After he had ascertained that his secret was safe, he continued. "At the urging of my parents, I began to court this girl named Elizabeth. Her father's a prominent barrister, as is mine. I enjoy her company immensely, she's very pretty...and her parents want us to marry. But..." he paused, as if he was preparing to confess the wickedest sin, "...I've met this girl here. Her name is Veronica, and she's Elizabeth's opposite in every way. She's got dark hair that falls down her back...Elizabeth has fair hair that she wears pinned up..." He began to get flustered. "As much as I care about Elizabeth...Veronica...makes me feel...like...I can't explain. But Veronica has no wealth, no title, no prospects. She works at the Garden...that's the local pub..." He suddenly looked terribly guilty. "Please don't tell anyone. I'm living with my aunt for the summer, and if she were to find out what I've been doing and who I've been associating with, she'd tell my parents. I can't let that happen."
I smiled. "No, you can't. I promise to stay silent...under one condition..."
His guilty expression turned into one of bemusement. "What sort of condition?" he inquired.
"Accompany me to the Garden," I commanded. "I have a Veronica of my own to meet.
Frederick smiled a knowing smile as we headed outside.
