The Damn Artefacts

«In the Magistrate?»

«No, in the British Museum».

And Ted told his roommate about his conversation with the Master.

«Weird. Which kind of mysteries can be in the British Museum, I wonder? Did you say an employee disappeared there? Has he never ever been found? What if anything, like that, happens to you?»

«No way. It won’t happen to me. I will do my best to avoid it. But you’re right —what mysteries can there be in the Museum?»

«So, did you accept his job offer?»

«Yes, I did. But if I don’t like it, I can always quit».

«Will you share it with me?»

«Of course! All right, let’s go on packing».

The friends began packing their bags. Since every Friday night they were released home for the weekend only to return on Sunday, they therefore had few belongings to pack.

«God dammit! I haven’t returned all my books to the library!» – Jeff cursed.

«You may do it on your way to the dining room. I’ll help you out».

«Really? Thanks a million!»

«We must catch the train. Today my parents are unable to come and pick me up».

«Ted, what train are you dwelling about? Did you forget that we have our rings?»

«Exactly! I haven’t got used to it yet. I have never used the ring by myself though. So, why do we need to wait for the meal? Just press the gem and here you are at home, sitting with your family at your dinner table! From now on I will also be able to pick Lily up from school».

Ted’s junior sister was fourteen and she went to the same school. But, in spite of the fact that today was the last day of school, only the graduates were eligible not to study. Lily had to complete her full school day and only tomorrow morning would she be ready to come back home.

«Of course, you will. But we’d better stay for the dinner. This is our last feast. You know, I am going to miss all that. School was awesome!»

«Yeah, me too».

All of a sudden they heard the gong sound.

«Oh, it’s about time to go downstairs to dinner».

«Then let’s grab our books and run».

Ted and Jeff took their books and left the room. The library was located one floor up. Students were rushing along the hallway to the dining room from all the directions. That is why the friends found it quite a challenging mission to elbow their way through the crowd.

«Ted!» – Someone called from behind.

Ted looked back and saw his sister – a black-haired girl with a delicate face and big hazel eyes. The two siblings looked very much alike».

«Hi, Lily!»

«Hey, bro! Well, well, well… May I congratulate you?»

«Sure. Look here!»

And Ted showed her his signet-ring.

«Terrific! I will have to study in here for another four years…»

«Time will fly fast. It seems to me that only yesterday I was fourteen years old!»

«Aren’t you going downstairs to the dining room?»

«I definitely am, but first of all I need to get to the library, in order to return the books. Then I will immediately come downstairs».

«Well, see you around then!»

Lily ran downstairs, while Ted and Jeff proceeded further on. They were lucky, as the library was empty. They quickly returned the books and rushed to the dining room. Dinner had not started, so they found two vacant and convenient seats in an unhurried manner.

«We made it on time!» – Jeff gave a sigh of relief.

«Right. I don’t like coming after the second gong».

«Who does? Furthermore, we were given more than enough time to get here in a timely fashion. Wow, our last dinner in school… Who could think of it! Do you remember how back in Grade 1 we got lost and arrived here by the end of the meal?»

«Oh yeah! We thought we would stay hungry. How great was it that Professor Lengood took us to the cafeteria».

There sounded another gong and on the table, in front of each and every pupil there appeared a menu. The friends were hungry, so they got down to studying the list of dishes.

«A vegetable salad, mashed potatoes, chops, orange juice, apple pie and tea, – pronounced Ted and at the same moment all the meals mentioned emerged in front of him on the table».

«Hey, you are a fast chooser!»

«I always take what I prefer. It’s you who is a slowpoke. By the way, I’m also willing to part from Vega».

«You will. So… What should I choose? Well, an egg-plant salad, fresh vegetables, noodles with shrimps, salmon, orange juice, chocolate mousse and a cup of coffee».

All the enumerated items appeared on the table in front of Jeff at once.

«You know how to lead a good life!» – said Ted with a smile, sizing up Jeff’s order.

«Why didn’t you order such dinner for yourself?»

«I prefer what I’ve ordered. Bon appetite!»

«The same to you».

Before they hit the road home the young men went to the school stable.