Chapter Fourteen
Alfred hadn’t seen Mathias since Saturday afternoon, when the man had been on his way to a nickelodeon. He had managed to keep himself absent during the subsequent dinners, leaving the evening meal to Alfred, a good-natured Mrs. Poplar, and a somewhat composed and slightly less-ruddy-cheeked John.
“Another plate of roast, Mr. Ridgeway?”
“No, thank you, Mrs. Poplar. I’ve had my fill.” She acquiesced with a nod and settled for retrieving herself a roll from the basket. “How was your study group, Mr. Briggs?”
Alfred looked up from his plate and stared at John, who spoke without missing a beat.
“Quite enlightening.”
Rain beat softly against the window behind Mathias’s empty seat and made the meal seem all the more intimate. Alfred continued to stare.
“Study group?”
Joh
