Physics Can Be Fatal Read Online Free PDF

ship-shape for the reception, Edwina knew.  But the job of organizing the cocktail party for Professor Sidebottom had fallen to Edwina in the first instance, and with a mostly unforgiving conscience, Edwina knew it was only right she be there early alongside Charlotte to make sure everything was as it should be.
        Charlotte Cadell felt a deep devotion to the library, and indeed to all of Sanborn House.  She had what could be described as an ardent attachment to the place.  At forty years of age, the Sanborn House Librarian appeared more middle-aged than youthful.  In part this was because although Charlotte was quietly pretty in a faded sort of way, she did not make much of a fuss about her appearance.  But it was more than that.  Charlotte had suffered a profound disappointment in her youth. Instead of moving away from this heartbreaking experience, she chose to remain attached to it.  She allowed it to define her life.  She measured all experiences before and after by this event.  And after so many years of holding the disappointment close to her, it became the thing that comforted her.  It was what gave her life meaning, and she allied herself fervently to this defining event from her youth.  With no family of her own to look after, and none to look after her, Charlotte took her responsibilities at Sanborn House and in particular to the library, very much to heart   It was her province, her arena, her life. 
         Edwina, on the other hand, was girlishly lissome and people often took her for younger than her twenty-five years.  With a spirited disposition circumscribed by indomitable curiosity Edwina gave the impression that somehow the downward pull of gravity had less effect on her than on other people, as if she weren’t wholly earthbound. 
         Edwina was dressed in a short, black gabardine dress that showed off her slender figure.  This dress came out of the closet anytime there was a ‘do’ at the library; it was her workhorse dress. Otherwise, her only concessions to the evening’s function were a bit of mascara and a dab of pink lipstick.   
        Charlotte Cadell was busy fussing around the library, plumping sofa cushions and straightening tablecloths.  Pressed white linens covered the long study tables.  Glasses of champagne in perfect rows, and trays of nibbles sat at the ready, alongside damask cocktail napkins.  The library was gleaming, and everything looked perfect.
         “You look nice tonight, Charlotte,” Edwina said, taking a glass of champagne for herself and handing one to Charlotte.
         “Oh, thank-you, Edwina, “ Charlotte said, brushing an invisible piece of lint from the bodice of her frock.  “So do you,” she added demurely.
         “What do you think about our celebrity visitor?” Edwina asked.
          Charlotte took a sip of champagne.
         “Pretty exciting, I guess,” she replied primly.  “I’m not sure what to think––Professor Sidebottom seems to have quite a reputation.  From what I’ve heard.”
         Edwina had the impression that Charlotte was parsing her words carefully.  
         “Well, all I can say is, I bet we don’t have a dull moment around here all semester!  Bottoms up!” Edwina said.
         How true that would be.
     
    *
     
         The library filled up quickly.  It looked as if the whole department had shown up.  Teachers and students, used to seeing each other in the casual, everyday dress of jeans and fleeces, were turned out in various versions of cocktail garb, from patterned maxi dresses to suits and ties.  Soon enough a convivial hum of conversation and laughter filled Sanborn House.  The partygoers drank and chatted excitedly in anticipation of Professor Sidebottom’s arrival.
          Lois Leiberman stood in a group with colleagues Ravi Kapoor, Paolo Rossetti, and Seth Dubin and his wife.  Paolo’s umber hair was brushed neatly in place, and fell just