CHAPTER 15I knew Asselin had been there by the time I joined my father in his chamber — the room where he conducted nearly all his business, where he played chess and even, occasionally, ate. My mother complained that she didn’t know what the rest of the house was for. My father said it was for her. And me. At which she generally sniffed and pointed out that even we rattled about in it, and what was needed was grandchildren, which I seemed determined not to provide. I told her to buy more furniture.
My father was entering figures on a large scroll when I found him. But at once, he laid down his pen, and the parchment rolled itself back up on the desk.
“You should let me do that,” I said mildly. “Or one of the clerks.”
“I may be old,” he replied drily, “but I still like to know what is g
