"James," Mr Adelson said. "You've learned your first lesson. What do you propose your second should be?"
"I dunno," I said, and went back to kicking the rungs of the chair.
"What is it that you have been doing since you came back to town, son?" he asked.
"Hanging around in the attic, mostly. Reading. Tinkering. Like my Pa."
"My husband's machines and journals are up there," Mama explained.
"And his books," I said.
"Books?" Mr Adelson looked suddenly interested. "What kind of books?"
"Adventure stories. Stevenson. Wells. Some of it's in French. We have all of
Verne."
"Well, perhaps that can be your next assignment. I would like to see an original composition of no less than twenty pages, discussing each work of Verne's, charting his literary progress. Due January fifth, please."
"Twenty pages!" I said. "But it's the holidays!"