Ancient Gentlemen (Day 2)

[Tabs]

"Oh! how inconsiderate I am of my fellow scribblers; my 'essence' was corked-up in a bottle--there are others--Washington Irving for one, no doubt."

[Bookman]

Yes, such was my suspicion. I have no doubt this 'collegium' are caught up in the auction game we area ll playing. I wonder if there is a more general way to break the enchantment, or if something needed to be done individually for each soul? I shall have to look further at this. Perhaps it would be worth your coming by the shop tomorrow? Your experience may help my researches.

[Tabs]

The empty ale glass clatters as it is placed upon the table, a beery runnel of froth slides down its length. Long John Copper almost sighs:

"There's anudder one down the hatch! Yeah, we'll be there, won't we, Marmie?" The parrot takes three hops to return to the tramp's shoulder. The tramp adds: "And the other fella, too."

[Bookman]

Harwood nods a goodbye to Long John. He sits for a little while after he has left, staring not quite at anything in silence. After a short while he gets up, finishes off his drink, and departs into the night.