As he showed me around the collection, I couldn’t resist touching things to be sure they were real. The smooth velvet of the wooden table tops, the lovely rough cloth of the book spines with their delicious slippery gilt embossed titles, the cold hard brass of the card catalog file drawer handles. I peeked inside a drawer and shook my head with admiration. Every card was painstakingly written out in perfect copperplate longhand. I closed the drawer with a happy sigh. I was home. I was about to ask Walter about online cataloging when he opened a small door near the back of the library and the angels began to sing again.
A bindery!
“Oh, its lovely.” I breathed taking in the small room tucked under the stairs. Shelves populated with fabric hinges and linen thread of varied thickness. Neat little stacks of end papers both plain and ornamental and those lovely textured sheets of japan paper. A spotlessly clean but well worn counter ran the length of one wall scored here and there with old cut marks. On it sat a small book press, a jar of brushes and a couple of copper glue pots. I stroked the chimney of one of the pots lovingly then lifted it to peer inside. Frowning, I poked my finger into the pot to prod the milky white surface of its contents. It was hard and unyielding. “This hasn’t been used in awhile.” I said.
“No,” Said Walter. “The librarian passed away a few years ago and I simply haven’t had the time.”
I glanced avariciously at two small, neat piles of volumes on the table by the door which seemed in need of repair. Don’t worry babies I’ll fix you. “Well that’s OK. I can start right away on these if you’d like.” I chirped diving into the first pile.
“Ms. Doyle.” Said Walter.
“Call me Corrine please.”
“Ms. Doyle.”
“Unless you wanted me to start with some cataloging but it seems fairly current and I can have these repaired in no time.”
“Ms. Doyle.” Said Walter firmly. “I think there is some misunderstanding.”
“Hmm?” I said reaching for an item in the second pile. It was a small, battered copy of a Jules Verne novel. I held it in my hand gently caressing its worn covers.
“Ms. Doyle.”
“Corrine.”
“Ms. Doyle, you do not understand. I did not bring you up here today to work.”
“I know but I really am ready to start.”
“Start?”
“My job. You know, as the librarian.”
“Ah, well that.”
“Do you have a Demco catalog? I can repair most of this with the supplies at hand but I may need to order one or two things.”
“Actually we have a professional repair our books now.”
“I’m a professional.” I said clutching Jules Verne defensively to my chest.
“A professional binder.”
“No that’s silly.” I said desperately. I mean, perhaps for these items.” I indicated two large leather bound volumes. “The appear to need a great deal of attention but most of this,” I said gesturing with the book in my hand. “is small repairs I can do that.”
“Ms. Doyle.” Said Walter patiently.
“I assure you I’m qualified.”
“Yes, I know.”
I used to be in charge of the bindery when I worked at Trinity college.
“Yes, I know.”
“I even took a course through the Library Of Congress on conservation and disaster preparedness...but, of course, you know this too.”
“Yes.”
That damn folder.
“So, what’s the problem? I was hired as a librarian wasn’t I?”
“Ms. Doyle, surely you were aware the job offer was just a cover story for the media and your family?”
“Yes, but.”
“And while we appreciate your willingness to assist, it is not necessary.”
“But.”
“Your job is to help us understand what exactly it is that Alucard did to you that night and what, if any, long term effects there may be.” Walter said with that hint of steel in his voice.
Are you insane? You are arguing with Walter. Please refer to your mental notes re: Arguing with Walter.
“Ah, yes, that. Of course.” For a moment I had forgotten I was a lab rat. How silly of me.
I must have looked like a kicked puppy because Walters tone softened a bit. “Ms. Doyle, no offense was intended.”
“Of course not.” Why bother offending a lab rat?
“We really are concerned about your health.”
“Of course.” Nice healthy Corrine to dissect.
“I simply thought you might wish to browse the collection.”
“No, yes, of course. It’s very kind of you.” Stop pouting you stupid girl! He took you out of that horrid lab, if only for a short time, don’t make him regret that decision. “Really, I do appreciate it. It’s just ...” I gestured towards the wounded books sadly. "I guess I just got excited at the thought of being useful again for something other than...well.... It really is a lovely library." I finished lamely. Walters blank expression can be quite unnerving. I glanced down at the book in my hands for refuge. “Journey to the Center of the Earth.” I read aloud.
“Have you read it?” Asked Walter. “It’s quite good.”
“No, I never have.” I said opening the book gently and fingering a loose plate. “It seems to be a favorite.” I said, glancing at the inside cover at the list of names of the prior proud owners of the volume.
“Yes, the fifth Lord Hellsing was quite fond of Jules Verne. He insisted that all of the children read him. Three generations of Hellsings have cut their teeth on this particular volume.”
“Some of them literally, I see.” I said.
Was that a hint of warmth I saw in Walter’s eyes? Must be a trick of the light.
“Yes, It is quite worn but there is another copy in the collection in excellent condition. You are more than welcome to borrow it if you would like.”
“Yes. You will of course be wanting to repair this one.”
“No, it really isn’t worth the expense. We have another copy.”
Surely the sentimental value?”
“Perhaps.” Said Walter, his icy tone closing the subject.
I glanced one last time at the book before closing it and carefully returning it to the stack.
As we left the bindery, I noticed Walter was giving me another appraising look. “I think perhaps the rest of the tour can wait until later. You look a bit tired.”
“Not at all.” Actually I was quite tired. This had been more walking than I had done in weeks but I wasn’t about to admit that to Walter.
“We don’t want you to over exert yourself.”
“I’m really not at all tired.”
Walter gave me a look that told me he did not buy it one bit but evil butler etiquette did not allow him to come right out and call me a liar so instead, he pulled out his watch and looked at it frowning. “I am afraid there are one or two things I must attend to.”
I suddenly realized a man like Walter most have 20 or 30 things to attend to. I really should be more grateful that he had taken any time for me at all and stop pouting but, I really did not want to go back, well, ever. Still, despite all evidence to the contrary, my mother did not raise an ungrateful lout for a daughter so I bucked up and tried to sound sincere and not the least bit disappointed when I said; “Of course Walter I understand. You have been very kind and I am sure you are quite busy.”
He, of course, was not buying that either.
“Yes.” He said blandly. Oddly enough there seemed to be a the slightest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth although I am sure he knew perfectly well that the thought of leaving this lovely place and going back to that lab had me on the verge of tears. “Perhaps you would care to rest in here while I clear up a few matters?” There was that almost smile again. “Shall we say two hours?”
I could have kissed him.
“Oh Walter yes, that would be more than fine!”
“Please feel free to browse the collection. I am sure you will find something of interest.”
“I’m sure that I will.” I said grinning with anticipation.
He turned to go.
“Walter?”
“Yes Ms. Doyle?”
“Thank you.”
He waived it off. “Two hours then?”
I nodded, distracted by all the lovely books. I was already humming with pleasure.
