Elizabeth entered her little quarter. She put her purse on the table and heavily sat on the sofa. Just then someone outside banged her door. She went angry. But said relaxedly, "Who is there?"
There was no answer.
She became curious. She again asked, "Who is there?"
No answer again.
She went to the door. There was a peephole on it. She peeped through it. She could not see anyone through the hole. She nodded her head and came back to the sofa. But before she could sit down again there was a knock. She half shouted, "Who is there? If you do not stop disturbing me I will have to call the police." Police: taking the word she remembered what had happened today in the library. She was surely in no mood to call the police. Yet she could threaten the teaser. It may be some university student staying nearby: she thought. Why don't they just study and enjoy their lives? Why they seek pleasure in teasing a spinster like me? She felt bad about herself. Then there was the knock again.
She shouted, "I am calling the police."
"Madam," one male voice was heard. Gentle. Mellow. A little scared.
She asked going near the door, "Yes, who is there? Answer me."
"It is Ron."
She asked, "Who Ron?"
Then today's incidents flashed in her mind and she could recall who Ron was. She peeped through the hole. It was really him. She was going to ask, "What are you doing here? Go to police station." But she resisted it and opened the door. Allowed the man enter the room. She kept the door open and stood near the door.
Ronald asked pointing to the chair, "Can I sit down? My legs are hurting." He said so and sat down not waiting for an answer. Mechanically she said, "Yes please, sit down. Feel free. How is your leg – I mean – after the fall today? It is ok, I suppose."
"Oh, it is hurting a bit. But it is ok, I guess," he replied with a glee.
"Haven't you gone to any doctor for your leg?"
"No, it is not needed. Not that much of pain."
"Hmm. How did you find my quarter?"
"Well, it was not difficult," he said.
She just stood and glared at him; he was rubbing his left knee. Her silence was asking loudly, "Who are you? And why the hell are you here? Disturbing my privacy."
He was compelled to answer the unasked question, "Actually, sorry to disturb you at such a time, but I am here for a reason."
And what is the reason? : her glare asked him.
Materializing a small book in red cover out of his coat pocket he said, "I have taken with me this book I was reading at that time."
She was surprised at his goodness. She said beaming, "Oh, you are here to return this book? Well, thank you for your generosity."
He put the book on the table and said, "Whatever had happened today at the library I do not know why it happened. Who is that woman I do not have the slightest idea. I thought that perhaps someone is having a serious prank on me. I do not know. But I kept calm. And finished this book in a park near the library. I do not know the name of the park. Well, about the book, it was a good read."
"Thank you," she said. She really appreciated those people who even in their turmoil like to read and complete books. "Your type of people are becoming rare now-a-days. And if we do not tell anything about Angleslandian readers it is good. Angleslandians are becoming literates, but they do not bother to read any text. Their reading hobby, to a maximum level, is limited to reading newspapers."
Now she left the door side. The door shot itself. She came near him and sat before him. He smiled and said, "It was a very informative book." She nodded.
He said, "If I demand something, will that be so much?"
She smiled and said, "What will you demand? Tea or coffee?"
He said, "No, books."
She took some time to consider it. Then with a jocund mood she said, "Well have you read A. G. Gardiner's On Umbrella Morals?"
"Yes."
She said, "Then, you know why I should not lend you my books."
He said, "I know. But I was not asking your books. I am asking those other books I have issued today, but could not finish."
She said and smiled, "You are a book-greedy. Come library tomorrow. You can read them tomorrow."
"Look madam, if I could come to the library myself why I would be disturbing you at such an hour?"
"Then you can not come tomorrow? Why?"
He said, "I do not know. You guess. I was almost dead today. Twice dead. By the shot and by the fall."
"Hmm," she said. "You have a nice sense of humor."
He raised his eyebrows and said, "I need those books now madam."
"Do not joke please. Come tomorrow."
He took out a gun out of his pocket and placed it on the desk before him and smoothly said, "I want those books now."