(Story begins here.)
Anton's reading was interrupted at the moment by three quick raps on the door, the hallmark of Mr Higgins' polite attempt at requesting entry. Anton hastily moved the Holy Bible on top of the journal, and quickly shoved the card below everything from his side of the table, hoping that there was no overt signs of him reading anything but the Holy Bible. With a more permanent cover complete, he raised his voice and replied ``Come in!''
The heavy door of the study was pushed open slowly, and in the middle of the door frame stood the housekeeper, dressed in his full livery as always. There was something slightly odd about his face that Anton could not quite place his hands on, but for that moment, he was willing to let it slide. The disruption was untimely and he wanted the housekeeper out of the study as soon as he could, especially since he had been warned by the mysterious card that the housekeeper lies about Elizabeth. If the oddness of the face was anything peculiar, Mr Higgins did not show it for longer than that fraction of a second as he stepped into the study on a couple of deliberate steps and gave a bow.
``Master Anton, your lunch is ready to be served in the dining room. Would you like to have it now?''
``What? At ten? Are you being serious?'' Anton replied sounding incredulous.
``Master Anton, the time now is nearer to noon than to ten. I see that you have been reading the Scripture; perhaps your intense concentration has made the time pass seem to pass faster than it is. Nevertheless, would you be having your lunch served now or later?''
Anton looked at the housekeeper in the eyes, trying to see if he could detect that faint oddness that was present just moments before. All that he got back was a rather dry and bemused look, sedate even, the waiting face of someone who serves. He wondered if the housekeeper had suspected more than he had been revealing, possibly through the veiled threat of knowing more than he said through the rather overt reference to the fact that he could see that the Holy
Bible was the book that was opened on the desk in front of Anton. A sudden cold chill ran down Anton's spine when he thought of the possibilities that the same housekeeper having experience seeing other masters of the manor doing a similar action during their time when they were alive. That was not a good thought to Anton; he had not expected that he would have to defend himself that early in the entire affair. Realising that he was probably staying silent for a tad too long, Anton made a quick decision and replied.
``I think I will have it now, thank you.''
``Excellent!'' the housekeeper replied, obviously delighted at the choice of Anton. ``I shall set up your place at the dining room forthwith and await your arrival. Today's lunch is a succulent lamb shank that Mrs Higgins had managed to get from the butcher's earlier today, nicely roasted to a soft texture. I am very sure that you will enjoy it much, Master Anton.''
``I... see. How about the dinner preparations, Mr Higgins, the one with the Crawfords?''
``Mrs Higgins is preparing beef brisket and a number of other dishes that will be ready for the appointment at six this evening. It will be well prepared; Mrs Higgins never fails to prepare a meal good enough for Master Anton's guests.'' And with that, the housekeeper gave yet another bow, and backed out of the room before silently shutting the study doors in front of him.
(Story continues here.)
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