A copper flecked mop of hair sat out of place on his solid features. The sound of my entry caused his focus to shift and in a haze he glanced up at his intruder-- for surely it could be no one else after nightfall.

“Did I bother you?” my eyebrows raised in humorous tone.

“No, no not at all . . .just,” he glanced at the random scatter of papers and files on his desk and sighed, “just working.”

This sigh was not one of distaste in chosen trade, hardly, but merely frustration in a problem one is confused by.

“I was just here to pick up a few things,” I said, holding up an empty rice sack.

“Take what you like,” he said throwing up his hands.
I nodded, much obliged. He returned to his desk and began to scribble on a page. I went to the china hutch; pulling opens a drawer to reveal silver candlesticks and fine silverware, all in chestnut boxes. Each had the lid underneath the box, set on display even when out of sight. I picked up and, with much o a clatter, flipped the contents into my sack.

“Is the missus at home?” I inquired, looking back through the open door at whence I came- as if expecting madam in her kerchief to be standing on the threshold.

“What? Oh no, heavens no A woman hasn’t lived here for years”

“Ah right, well I’ll be up the stairs and then out for the night.”

“Right, right. Yes, well sure,” he said, lost in his work.

I nodded to myself and took a final look around the room. It was bare now and so I took leave of the office quarters. I found my way fairly easily around the rest of the house, but in total it took about another hour or so before I had cleared it. I made my way to the entryway, but before leaving peeked in on him.

“You alright chap?” I asked poking my head past the door.

“Oh fine, I’m fine,” he said.

“I’ll be off then.” I said.

I gave a smile to his back and returned to the foyer. There was a small table placed next to the door and on it a picture frame. I bent down to have a look- the picture made me smile. I looked down the hall at the light spilling out from under his door. Then
I picked up the frame and dropped into my sack and left the home.