Chapter 47
"Jenny you do need to tread carefully, this could be a very sensitive subject with him," Catherine advised.
"Sure, sure!" Jenny blithely promised just as Vincent told them they had arrived.
Upon entering the room that appeared to be filled with books from ceiling to floor. Jenny gasped, "Wow! This place looks like a public library blew up!"
Father and Mary were already seated in the room. He bristled, "I am aware that the area could use some straightening up, but I do not believe it is that bad!"
"Oops!" Jenny giggled. "Sorry about that, but Cath can tell you I am known for my permanent 'foot in mouth' disease."
"Father this might actually be a good project for a few of my classes. We could work on straightening your study up," Vincent suggested.
Then Catherine popped in with, "If you gave them pencil and paper the children could write down the titles of any books they haven't read. Also filing the books in alphabetically order or by author would help them with their spelling."
"That's a wonderful idea Catherine!" Mary exclaimed. "Father and Vincent are always looking for new books to add to the children's reading list and this way you would have their own lists to go by!"
"Yes that will be very useful. Thank you Catherine," Vincent offered with a smile.
Blushing just a bit at the admiration in his eyes, she quickly changed the subject, "Is there any tea left, Mary? I'm sure we could all use a cup."
"Oh yes, there's plenty. Come and sit down children I will pour you some and William sent along some cookies too."
Father watched the activity as he tried to figure out a way to keep classrooms of children from swarming through his study. What might look like a mess to others, was an organized chaos to him. Most of the time he knew right where the book he wanted was, or at the very least, what stack it was in. Even under Vincent's supervision a group of children could cause serious problems among his books. Unfortunately he would look churlish to refuse the help especially after even he had said it needed to be done. But after so much approval he was almost certain he was going to have to resign himself to the endeavor. However, he would most assuredly be close at hand to supervise!
Jenny's comment interrupted his thoughts, "You have an amazing world down here Mr…you know I don't even know your name Sir!"
"Everyone just calls me Father," was the answer she received.
"Yes, but you aren't my father. Certainly you have some other name that I could call you!" Jenny insisted.
Mary's tea cup was paused halfway to her mouth in shock. No one had ever challenged Father in such a way!
"Ms. Aaronson," it was clear that whenever Father was displeased with Jenny he would use this more formal form of address. Catherine wondered if he would ever call her Jenny again or if after today Vincent would be instructed to not invite her friend back again. "When the world Above rejected me I came Below where I found myself. Through no actual planning I brought together others that were living here in the tunnels for one reason or another. Somehow during that time people began to refer me as Father and Father I have been for over forty years now. So Father, or Sir, if you would prefer a more non patriarchal address, will suit me fine."
Jenny considered his words for a time and the other three in the room waited with almost bated breath to see what her response to his statements would be. Finally she shrugged her shoulders and said, "I guess it will have to be Sir then, I somehow doubt you would respond to 'hey you'!"
When Jenny's declaration had started Father, feeling reassured she would question him no further, had lifted his cup to take a sip of tea. However, her 'hey you' ending had almost caused him to choke on it!
Vincent got to his feet to pat Father on the back, glad he was behind the man who had raised him so he couldn't see the struggle he had to keep a straight face. Catherine and Mary were able to hide their smiles behind their teacups. But Jenny didn't even try. She just grinned unrepentantly.
To be continued….