Read Online The Tapestry in the Attic by Mary O'Donnell - Free Book Online

was wearing a tweed jacket with leather patches on the elbows and a multicolored, paisley-patterned pocket square tucked into the breast pocket, along with dark brown wool slacks and dark brown suede wingtip shoes. Underneath the jacket he wore a knitted, maroon color waistcoat with leather-covered shank buttons, a crisp white shirt, and a tie made from the same fabric as the pocket square. If there would have been a role in a movie that called for an eccentric professor, she would have said that Professor Howell fit the bill perfectly.
    Just then, another man was ushered into the room by Mr. Witherell. This must be Jacob Martin , thought Annie. He seemed the very opposite of Professor Howell. Annie would have guessed that Jacob was about Kate’s age, even if Kate hadn’t mentioned that she went to high school with him. His hair was longish and a nondescript brown color, but his clear blue eyes were kind, and though he wasn’t smiling, there was a soothing pleasantness about his expression. He was in jeans and lumberjack-type, tie-up leather boots. His navy blue wool pea coat was unbuttoned, revealing a cable-patterned Aran-type pullover beneath.
    “Ah, there you are, my boy,” said Professor Howell, gesturing for Jacob to join them at the table. “Take a seat, and let’s get started, shall we?”
    As Jacob took his place at the end of the table opposite the professor, Annie tried to assess the two men—one responsible for the words and ideas of the play, and the other responsible for how those words and ideas would be presented to the public. The two men couldn’t have been more different, and yet, she thought, they seemed to complement one another, at least in their respective roles. It was hard to imagine them having much in common otherwise.

6
    Still standing, Professor Howell moved from Stella’s side to stand in front of his chair at the end of the conference table. He took charge of the meeting. “I’ll start the meeting by introducing myself.” As he spoke he lightly placed one hand over his chest, his fingers splayed out, and he punctuated his words with the motion of his opposite hand. “I am Professor Rudyard G. Howell—you may call me Professor Howell. I will be the director of King Lemuel’s Treasure . I do trust that all of you have read the play?” It was a statement and a question all in one. Everyone around the table, except Jacob, nodded to indicate that they had done so.
    “Excellent. Now, as I understand from Mrs. Brickson, you are nearly all novices in the theater, but we won’t let that detain us from producing a fabulous show for our audience. I want you all to remember that my job here is not that of a parent. I’m not here to see that you get your homework done on time or that you don’t stay up too late. I expect self-discipline on your part to meet deadlines and to fulfill your functions as part of this company.
    “My job is comparable to that of an obstetrician. Jacob has written a marvelous play. That is our fetus; our actions will determine whether it is brought into the world as a thriving baby, or if it will suffer and die. We do not want that to happen!” The professor punctuated his last sentence by slapping the table with the palms of both of his hands. Annie jumped slightly even though she was watching him the entire time. She almost wondered what she had gotten herself into. It was hard to take her eyes off the professor, but she stole a glance around the room. Were the others thinking the same thing? Her eyes landed on Stella. She gazed at Professor Howell with a look that bordered on adoration. Good grief , thought Annie.
    The professor continued to speak, reaching out to take Stella’s hand, “Of course, all of you know Mrs. Stella Brickson, but if you would, please, dear lady, stand and tell everyone what your contribution will be to the play, and indeed, what it already has been.”
    The professor took Stella’s elbow to help her to stand even though Annie