Chapter 10: THOMAS AND MR. CARSON
On Saturday night, Thomas was heading up for bed, but Mr. Carson stopped him in his tracks, saying, "Thomas, I want to ask you-"
Thomas turned to him, saying nothing but waiting expectantly for a response.
"It is in regards to Daisy," Mr. Carson began.
"What have I got to do with Daisy?" Thomas responded.
"Daisy is young and very naive...have you put her up to this?"
"Up to what?" Thomas answered, sounding as if his patience was wearing thin.
"You truly don't know?" Mr. Carson sounded surprised.
"Clearly I don't, Mr. Carson," Thomas replied, trying not to look annoyed.
"Daisy seems very keen for you to stay," Mr. Carson
"Does she?" Thomas answered, trying not to sound as if he was interested in anyone's opinion of him.
He got out a cigarette and lit it.
"Yes, she marched into my office, rather boldly, and began spouting scripture." Mr. Carson said, a touch of humor in his voice
"Scripture?" Thomas looked confused at that word.
Mr. Carson looked at him disapprovingly. "Yes, scripture. Scripture is taken from the Bible, Thomas."
Thomas said rather angrily, "Believe it or not, Mr. Carson I know what scripture is."
"Then what was it that surprised you so?"
Thomas tilted his head and, took his first breath of his cigarette, letting the smoke fill him up with satisfaction since nothing else would.
"Only that she thought scripture could get me to stay. When you said she was using scripture I thought..."
"While I'm sure there is scripture that may work against you, Thomas, Daisy has pointed out scripture that she would like us to consider in an effort to get you to stay on,"
"Well, that's an interesting development, isn't it?" Thomas stared at him, not knowing what it was Mr. Carson was angling for.
"I wondered if you had anything to do with that. Daisy should not have been made aware of this situation at all-"
"I'm not the one who told her," Thomas said icily.
"If that's your word, I'll take it," Mr. Carson said, "However, if you have been influencing Daisy in an effort to get her to get her to take up your cause-"
Thomas felt no more need to speak respectfully to Mr. Carson. If he was about to be put out with even a reference, then why bother?
"Come off it, I've said nothing to that daft girl-"
Mr. Carson cut in, "That is precisely why I thought you had."
"Because you think Daisy is daft, too?" Thomas said, the corner of his mouth turning up.
"No," Mr. Carson said in a hard voice, "But as I said before, Daisy is very young and very naïve. It is possible that you targeted her because of her innocence, and that you are using it to gain her sympathies, in an attempt to stay,"
Thomas looked at him. "I've nothing to do with Daisy. I haven't even spoken to her since all this. I don't know what she's said and frankly I don't care what she's said. It makes no difference to me what everyone else thinks. I'm 'bout to be sacked no matter what, so why bother?"
Mr. Carson did not address his comments, but asked only, "Will you be attending church with us tomorrow morning?"
"I always do," Thomas said coolly, letting go of a puff of smoke.
"Yes, you do. But whether you listen to the sermon is the real question. Goodnight, Thomas."
Mr. Carson left, and Thomas stared after him. Then, skipping the ash tray, he threw his cigarette right on the floor, and smeared it with his shoe, leaving a burn mark. Then he went up to bed.