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Page 77
The light in the kitchen increased slightly as she opened the common room door. In a minute, she returned to the kitchen with her candle lit once more. She carried a second one as well.
She handed the extra candle to him. "For you," she said. "Unless you prefer the darkness.
"He had, he thought. Before.
He took the candle from her and placed it in a holder on a worktable. He sat on a bench, swinging his leg over it easily. "I thought you had retired, Miss Walker," he said. "What brings you back to the kitchen? Have we not given you enough chores to allow you to sleep easily? I am certain we can think of more."
"I appreciate your concern." Her tone was dry. "No matter how tired I am, I doubt I'll fall asleep easily tonight. But that's fine," she added hastily. "It's just that a lot has happened, and I'm afraid there's more to come." She took a place on another bench. Her face seemed shadowed by more than candlelight.
"Would you care to discuss it?" He didn't want to know. Not really. He had ample troubles of his own without asking to hear another's.
Still, he felt disappointed when she said, "Thanks, but no. I've a lot to think about, but I need to sort it through myself. It would help, though, if I could borrow paper and a pen."
"Then you are literate?" He heard the surprise in his own voice. Many women in this new land knew nothing of reading or writing but were instructed only in female pursuitsthe very things of which Mariah Walker seemed ignorant. In addition to the fire-laying episode earlier, Thorn had heard from René of all the lessons he had had to impart to her in the art of setting a simple meal on the table.
She responded with indignation. "More than you, you" He heard her catch herself, saw her shake her head.
She thought him illiterate. He nearly laughed aloud. The many scholarly tutors from his youth would not, however, have been amused.
"I'm sorry," she continued. "That won't help, will it? Yes, I am literate, Mr. Thorn. I read and write quite well.

 
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