Page 35 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
He hauled out a red handkerchief and dabbed at his eyes,then polished his glasses. “I suppose I do,” he said softly. “Where’s thatcousin of yours?”
“Melissa left already for Bellwether.”
“Best get her back here,” said Grandad.
“Why?”
But Dad emerged, all astonishment and exclamations, and Momcame to see what all the fuss was about, and Grandad refused to say anotherword.
FIFTEEN
New Girl
Jiminy smothered a yawn, then grinned sheepishly at hismentor. “Sorry, First-sensei.”
“Lessonshaverun long. My fault entirely. What’s thetime there?”
On the other side of the world, a cup of tea slid into view,and an honest-to-goodness butler eased into camera range to eye Jiminycritically. “Michael, you’re a beast, nattering through the wee hours of hismorning. There are far moreinterestingways to wear a man out.”
“Hey there, Jacques.” Jiminy wriggled his fingers in a friendlywave.
“Mister Foster,” he returned with a haughty formality thatseemed funny coming from a man in his twenties.
Jacques might put on airs, but he alsoalwaysshowedup at some point during Jiminy’s lessons. Michael had confided that theirFrench-English butler still didn’t know much Japanese, so he was greedy forconversation … even if it came with an American accent.
Another hand appeared and whisked away the tea cup.
Jacques puffed up. “That was the American’s tea!”
Well, now. Jiminy had suspected someone was sitting in on thissession. They’d covered a lot of ground, and the range of topics had feltscripted. Like an exam.
From off camera, a voice drawled, “While he can appreciatethe gesture, I can appreciate the blend.”
Jiminy’s stomach flipped. Not justanyeavesdropper.“Good day to you, Lord Mettlebright.”
“Tsk.” The spokesperson for the fox clans strolledinto view, tea cup in one hand, sleeping child propped against the oppositeshoulder. “Argent will do. Here, Smythe. Take him.”
Although Jiminy spotted his moue of distaste, Jacques said,“Yes, my lord. Come, Master Arnaud. You are required in the nap room.”
The toddler, whose long, spotted tail matched the mottlingon his fuzzy ears, babbled something in French, which the butler answered witha crisp, “Non.”
Once they were gone, Argent Mettlebright spoke again. “Yoursigilcraft is … interesting.”
“Thank you, sir!”
Shaking his head, the Amaranthine said, “Michael should notindulge your tendency for improvisation. Apprentices should apply themselves tothe basics; masters indulge in creative application.”
Jiminy couldn’t have been more surprised. “Are you callingme a master?”
Michael hid a smile.
The fox arched a brow. “There are many things I could callyou.”
“Now, now, old friend,” interjected Michael. “My apprenticehas endured enough and needs his rest.”
Argent inclined his head and withdrew.
“I’ll draw up a written assessment for your file. Your copyshould arrive in a week or so.” Michael leaned closer to his screen, eyesalight. “Give some more thought to an appropriate challenge for yourattainment.”
