Chapter 5 3

This is a reminder to go to dinner tonight, Juliet.After seeing the letter, Winters said that both of you have been invited, and it seems that Gilels is also invited.Sir Bentley.He is the guest of honor. Da Ke learned that there was an opportunity to express herself in front of the university professor, she was satisfied, and ran to the front, while Blake fell behind.He didn't want to go to a dull, stereotyped dinner party and meet more adults who were either impressed by the books written by his mother or surprised by Dako's intelligence.As usual, most of the time no one pays attention to him.More than anything, he didn't want to be introduced as Dr. Sommers' son: he was surprised that his mother hadn't mentioned it.

Only one child was mentioned, and he tried to ask, must I go?Of course I will.It was nothing more than an oversight or a typographical error, as you know it happens all the time. No, he didn't know it was a common occurrence, but it seemed to happen to him a lot. Juliet.Winters noticed the skeptical look on his face and waited for him to catch up.The school knew very well that I had two young children, and she put her arms around Blake and urged him to hurry, saying impatiently, everyone expected you to go, just like I want you to be the best. Who is Gilles.Bentley?Da Ke asked, bouncing to join them.

It's Gilles.Sir Bentley, mother corrected her, had been caretaker of the Bardley Library for many years and was now retired.Still, he was a volatile, grumpy old man, the same as ever.I don't want you to be near him. Why? Because that's what I said. Blake could tell that his mother didn't want to discuss the matter further, but a second question had already appeared on Dako's mouth. Why do you dislike him so much? Well, Daco, if you must know, said mother, trying to hold her temper, as he stepped in with some of the research your father and I had done as students.He obtained an important manuscript that we need to refer to for our research, but he refused to lend us a look.

They walk along a shady path near the back of the graduate student garden.Several timid birds heard her voice, and flew out of the undergrowth under the forest, screeching their displeasure. That document is important, she said softly, and it could make a difference in our careers.But he just wouldn't let us see it. Why? Oh, I don't know!She scowled at a fir tree that leaned against other plants.Maybe it's the desire for power.Or greedy.Sir Gilels learned a long time ago that rather than sharing books with others, it is better to buy rare books and collect them, which may make more money.

Juliet.Winters gestured to her child and walked to an old wooden door in a moss-covered wall.Brutal spikes protruded from the wall, forming a crown of iron.She reached into her pocket and pulled out a set of keys. Sir Gilels' decision has delayed the progress of my research for who knows how long, probably, for years, she said angrily, I'll have to start over from scratch, but your father, he gave up . Blake was stunned.He couldn't imagine his parents agreeing on anything, let alone a research project.It made him wonder suddenly what project they hoped to accomplish.It sounds like a big deal.

Mother put the key in the lock and turned it.I still want to get my hands on that manuscript.As she spoke, she pushed the door open with her shoulders. Through the door they came to a wide avenue lined with trees that were shedding their leaves.Some have knobbly trunks that are all bumps and burls, others have gray and green bark.An old black bicycle leaned against a nearby pillar, and Da Ke hurriedly walked towards it.She couldn't resist ringing the bell.The bicycle bell was crackling, dry and rusty. Which book is it?Blake asked subtly, I mean, the book you want. Not a book.Mother said, leading them to the end of the road, and Blake could see another library, the Radcliffe Camera. Open to the public), its dark silver dome rises above the towers and spires of Oxford city centre.It is a manuscript that belonged to a monk who lived in Oxford during the Middle Ages.

Blake stopped.monk?he asked, remembering the mysterious book he had found in the library.The book looked hundreds of years old.Maybe the two books are related? He was shaking with excitement. What's his name? Ignatius.mother answered.The answer disappointed him greatly.His face darkened.Mother looked at him curiously for a moment, why the sudden interest? Blake pretends to be studying a leaf floating upside down in a pond.He could still feel the weight of holding the wordless book, and the memory lingered in his heart.There is no reason.He said he is not yet willing to share his findings with anyone.

Mother shrugged and said: Ah, this is a fascinating story.Ignati claimed to have seen the devil enter the city, carrying a forbidden book of knowledge.Of course, no one believed him, and no one found the book.To be honest, this is actually a fake book.But I am very interested, because I study Faust. who?Blake said, looking up. Faust, Dako said ostentatiously, sold his soul to the devil. No wonder.Blake murmured, swinging his backpack in her direction.She screamed and ran away. His mother gave him a warning look.Dako was right.According to some people, Faust is a German wizard who can do divination. He longed to have all the knowledge and power in the world, so he made a deal with the devil, and was dragged down by a group of ghosts to eternal hell to suffer.

Blake's eyes lit up.He didn't know what a wizard did, but he could imagine a wizard practicing sorcery and being consumed by hellfire. What about dad?He asked, what did he think of that manuscript? Your father's views are very theoretical, and my mother replied with a more vague tone. He believes that this legend has some truth, and he thinks he can find proof. Blake's chest was pounding.Perhaps Dad was counting on finding the forbidden book?Perhaps he knew where the book was hidden? Did he prove it?he asked breathlessly. He never had that chance.Mother snorted because Ser Gilels had noticed too.

Blake kicked the twigs that had fallen to the ground. If he's right, he can build a reputation, mother added ruefully, but her voice broke off suddenly to stare at the peeling twigs overhead, but he may well be wrong. Blake blinked in surprise.He wanted to know more about his father's thoughts, but Da Ke was very concerned about Gilels.The books in Sir Bentley's collection are of more interest. So, how much do you think Sir Gilels' library is worth?she asked. Mother shook her head.No one knew how much Sir Gilels had paid for the Ignatius manuscript, let alone where he had found it, she said, but his private library was rumored to be worth more than a million pounds.

Da Ke exclaimed, what did he use all the books for? He's a bibliophile, my mother replied, and his books needn't be of any use at all. Blake glanced at Dako in shock. What intrigued him was the thrill of the chase, continued his mother, and he scoured rare books as he hunted endangered species and displayed them on the shelves.These books are like gold nuggets in a bank. Dako's eyes lit up with greed. If we asked him nicely, do you think he would let us visit his library?She was proud of her library at home, and probably wanted to exchange ideas. You can ask him if you want to ask, Juliet.Winters said, looking at the invitation in his hand, this week he will give a special speech.I wouldn't waste my breath, though: he doesn't share collections with anyone. They came to an avenue lined with stone-fronted colleges and tall convenience stores selling the exact same goods: Oxford jumpers, Oxford scarves, Oxford teddy bears .Tour guides with colorful umbrellas lead throngs of tourists from shop to shop. Blake is familiar with the city now, but still feels like an outsider.His accent made him stand out.Nevertheless, he came to appreciate life here as a sojourner.Inside each tawny college lies a forgotten world, made up of libraries, chapels and refectories, as if stepped back in time.He had been expecting to come across people like the ones he had seen in paintings: scholars in powdered wigs, silk stockings, and black robes, like crusaders in cloaks long ago. Mother stopped abruptly.She stood at the edge of a second-hand bookstore, staring at the display of softcover books and novels in tattered jackets.Before he could stop her, she had already told him to keep an eye on Da Ke and go inside.There was something in the store that made her want to take a look.I just go in for a while.she cried back, as the shop door closed behind her with a shrill bell. Blake rolled his eyes.He had heard this sentence before. Annoyed, he strolled to the curb and began circling the old-fashioned streetlights, leaving the city dizzy away in a blur of perception. It feels more freeing to be outdoors.In the past few weeks, he has seen most of the dun museums and wet statues through the mist on the high-rise double-decker bus.But this afternoon the city was alive with life: the colleges glowed against the blue sky, the doves circled the towers.The streets are full of golden clock faces telling different times. Then Blake saw him. The man was sitting near the bookstore, reading an old book that looked worn out.Blake slowed the revs to a crawl and came to a complete stop. The stranger was dressed in a brown leather robe and sported an outdated long, ragged beard.He didn't care about the heat, and wore a queer hat that looked a bit like a nightcap, with fur trimmed over it.Blake had never seen anything like it before.It was as if one of the statues seen all over the city had come to life and rested on the sidewalk unnoticed.Is he homeless? The boy kept staring at him, but the man didn't move, didn't even turn a page, just engrossed in the book.He was most likely carved out of stone and remained motionless. Most of the passers-by didn't notice him, and those who saw him dropped a few coppers at his feet and hurried on.The silver coin shone like spit on the ground.However, the man neither looked at their faces nor picked up the change and pocketed it.He is immersed in a personal world. A lean, wiry hound with small ears lay on the ragged blanket beside him, with a bright red bandanna tied around its neck.Da Ke walked straight towards the dog. I like your dog.She said, bending down to pet it, and the dog flicked its tail listlessly and slapped the ground. But the man continued to read his book without looking up.The fingers gripping the book were dirty and looked like gnarled tree roots. Dako!Blake hissed, not wanting to disturb or offend the old man.The dog might have fleas, he thought, or worse, might bite her.He wasn't really worried about either of those possibilities, though.He was more concerned about what his mother would say about Dako if she found out that Dako was talking to strangers.After all, he should be looking at her. Dako!Blake hissed again. This time she heard it, looked up and smiled. What's your dog's name?She said, but the man still ignored her. Blake went over and grabbed her arm, dragging her away. The man raised his head as if he had finished reading a complicated sentence or a long paragraph of text.He looked at Blake with an expression that was neither hostile nor entirely friendly, but a sharp, deep look, as if seeing a child standing in front of him, casting a shadow on his book, moved him greatly. surprise.He seemed to wake from a deep sleep. Blake felt very uncomfortable and turned around quickly, dragging Dako behind him. At this moment, the store door opened, Juliet.Winters came back without the book she wanted.She gave the man a quick look, and casually took the child away. What does that person want?She asked casually. At this time, they were walking aimlessly towards the main business district and mixed into the crowd. Blake didn't answer.He looked back only once, and was terrified to see the man's eyes follow them all the way as they crossed a path.