Books ’N Pieces Magazine ~ March 2019 ~ www.BooksNPieces.com
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"At the end of the term. It's been a long haul. I'm due for a rest." "I'll be sorry to see you go," I told him honestly. "Why? Because I'm the last of the Hitler-gang that taught you? Don't be. You've got a whole career ahead of you. Wait till you see the birdbrain they've picked to replace me. I doubt if he has the know-how to rub two sticks together and start a fire. But he'll need someone like you to show him the way." "If I'm still here." "You'll still be here," Smithers said, patting me lightly on the shoulder. "Well, I'd best be off before I catch something and retire prematurely. If you'd like, come by the house later." "Thank you. That's nice to know." Smithers began walking across the grass, slow, steady steps so as not to trip and fall. I watched him as he reached the road, stepping cautiously onto it, then again up the other sidewalk and into the Common Room beneath the clock tower. The glass door closed. Above, I noticed the slight movement of the minute hand on one clock face. I remembered that no two sides ever showed the same time, or the correct time. I remembered climbing it for the first time, up an endless series of small steps, through the oversized mechanism, past the giant bell the next level up, and onto the roof, by the base of the