The Geographer's Library

The Geographer’ s Library
“Then it must be him. She always talks about the strange old man who
lives next to her, and how he doesn’t have any friends and he’s from a foreign
country and he knows all this fascinating stuff and isn’t it sad and so on and
so forth. She cooks for him, and she plays checkers with him. Well, she used
to cook for him and play with him, I guess.”
“What’s her name?”
“Hannah Rowe. She just started this year, and already all the little boys
have crushes on her.”
“Is she pretty?” I tried to make it a disaffected question, but my lack
of recent romantic practice probably made it sound more eager than it
should have.
“You see,” Donna said, breaking into a broad smile, “he’s human after
all.” She laughed; I blushed. “Hannah’s perfectly nice-looking. Too tall, if
you ask me, but there we are.” Donna paused and held her breath in a beat
before continuing in a lower voice. “You know, she isn’t exactly a favorite
among the staff. I’ve never had any problems with her, though.”
“Why? People dislike her?”
“Well, no, but, well ...maybe I shouldn’t say anything. A pretty young
woman is bound to stir a little something in all those old fuddy-duddies.”
I nodded noncommittally. I had never known Donna to say anything
remotely critical of anyone she knew, and it seemed to be making her uncomfortable.
“So you like her?” I asked.
“Oh, well, yes, of course, but you see I really don’t know her terribly well.
She’s perfectly polite, and conscientious about chaperoning duties and so
forth.” She paused and swallowed. “I don’t know that we’ll invite her for supper
or anything like that, right, dear? But she’s cordial enough.”
“Fair enough. You think she’ll talk to me?”
“Well, I should think so. I certainly hope so. With your charm I’m sure
you’ll have no problem.” She reached over and patted me on the knee.
“Not sure about that, but thanks. You don’t know her home number by
any chance, do you?”
“Her home number? Well. We do move quickly, don’t we?” She winked.
“I don’t know it myself, but I’m sure Information would have it. Better still,
just call the school. She’ll be there, I’m sure. And I should be getting back
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