Chapter Thirty-Three
The following week was a flurry of rooftop observations, manuscript notations, historical storm data, and watercolors as several deadlines seemed to loom on the horizon along with another line of storms. The Deep Water Committee had called another meeting for the end of August, and Alfred was preparing by reading Hilary’s notes and studying his pamphlets and editorials. His mind was a whirl of bird facts and storm headings when he came through the door the following Thursday evening. Mrs. Poplar was stretched out on the sofa in the front sitting room with Mathias on his knees at her feet. Both looked at him as he hung his hat on the rack and shed his jacket by the door.
“Everything alright?”
“Oh, yes, dear. You know how Mathias is, always overanalyzing every little
