A Little Learning Read Online Free PDF

Fairweather?”
    “Yes, and the minute we get home, I’m going to see what can be done.” In fact, I’d been anxious to get to my studio. My fingers were practically itching to hold a brush or pencil. “I can’t neglect Nathan’s case, though.”
    “It’s not a very huge case, is it?”
    “Shana suggested I might find more work in another town.”
    “You want to move?”
    “No, just commute. Maybe to Rossboro. Know anything about it?”
    “Oh, Jeff and I did Rossboro.”
    “I’ll bet you did.”
    “The knife trick.”
    “You weren’t throwing knives at each other, were you?”
    “No, you set a knife point up and cover it with a paper cup. Then you turn away and have the mark—excuse me, the audience member—put three more paper cups on the table, and you slam your hand down on the ones without the knife. It’s very exciting.”
    “Ow. I’m glad I never saw you do that one.”
    “It’s very easy if you know the secret.”
    “How long were you in Rossboro before you were chased out?”
    “Long enough. It’s a nice town. Bigger than Celosia, but most towns are.”
    “I think I want to have a look.”
    “Okay.”
    I felt a little guilty. After all, I’d convinced Jerry to settle down, something I never thought he’d do. He liked the house. I liked the house. If I found work in Rossboro, or anywhere else, a long commute would quickly get old. Well, it was too soon to start worrying about this.
    “Do you remember if there were any museums or art galleries?”
    “A forger I knew worked in the museum.”
    I wasn’t going to ask.
    “When do you want to go scope it out?” Jerry asked.
    “Some time soon. Shana’s already suggested a road trip, but you can come, too.”
    “Ride with the most beautiful woman in town?” He paused just long enough. “And Shana? Great! I’m there.”
    “We might leave you home.”
    On the drive home, Jerry put in a CD. I recognized the “Barcarole” from
The Tales of
Hoffmann
. It’s a slow, sensual duet that flows along like the gentle rocking of a gondola. I heard this tune a lot in college. Jerry liked to listen to it just before an important exam.
    He took the piece of paper out of his pocket. “I need inspiration for this riddle you gave me.”
    “Got it solved yet?”
    “I wonder what it means by a sparrow from ancient times.”
    “A really old bird?”
    “I looked up ‘sparrow,’ in the store, thinking it might have another meaning. Here’s what Mister Webster says, ‘Any of several small dull singing birds.’”
    “That’s harsh. Not only are they small, but they’re dull.”
    He turned the music down a little. “When are you going to Chateau Groundhog?”
    “I called and set up an appointment for tomorrow morning.”
    “So she’s really going to see you?”
    “I guess being an artist has its uses.”
    “You’re using the power, the power isn’t using you.”
    I leaned over and gave him a kiss. “Thank you.”
    He looked at the riddle again. “How much money will Fenton get if he solves this riddle?”
    “He didn’t say. But if he doesn’t solve the riddle, all the money goes to—and you’re going to love this—building bat houses.”
    He laughed. “You’re kidding.”
    “Elijah and Val must have been pals.”
    “Sounds like they were drinking buddies.” Jerry folded the riddle back into his pocket. “I’m glad to know I’m not the only one with a screwy uncle.” He dug into his other pocket. “We got a new shipment of Bufo cards in today. I had to beat the crowds back with a stick. Want a sticker? I thought I’d decorate the kitchen.”
    “No, thanks. I have enough to do for tonight.”
    Besides reviewing my own paintings, I needed to work on some sort of presentation for Rachel’s class, so when we got home, I said, “I’m going to do some art stuff now, so don’t give me any more grief.” I was halfway up the stairs when I heard the steady hum of the fan. “Didn’t Nell fix the air