Frost

Chapter Two

While Mr Dillingham was busy thinking how good-looking he was and how big the contrast was between Miss Frost’s response to his compliment and what he has expected her to respond with, she was very delighted and content to finish reading Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, writing her pending report, and reading the newspaper of that day, which happened to be Wednesday the second of January of the year 1934. She even drank her cup of tea, whereas Mr Dillingham didn’t even notice that he was served one. In her opinion, those fifteen minutes flew by as if they were fifteen seconds.

“Are you not curious as to why I’m smiling, Miss Frost?” he asked as his smile got wider.

“Oh, were you smiling? My apologies, I haven’t noticed it. Don’t worry though; you are free to smile any time you want,” she said without even looking at him.

     One more time he was offended, but he let it go and simply said, “Well, I was smiling at your opinion about that painting and how much you hated it.”

“Was it that funny?” she asked coldly.

“Oh, no, I didn’t mean that. What I mean is you have never given me your personal opinions and views about things before. I believe your doing so is a positive sign.”

“A positive sign of what?” she demanded, narrowing her eyes at him.

     It was obvious that she wasn’t paying attention to what he had said prior to mentioning the ‘positive sign’; that should have offended Mr Dillingham. Had she listened to him, she would have got what he meant, for Miss Frost was a smart woman. In normal cases, being offended thrice in a row was as strong an indignation as to force the offended person to stomp off angrily. However, since we are talking about no ordinary people, what possible comparison can be set between such a case involving those two people and normal cases?

“Clearly, Miss Frost, it is a positive sign for a future friendship involving both of us,” he said with a smug look on his face.

     Thoughts such as “Did he come here to waste my time and give me socialism advice?” and “Did anyone tell him that I needed some social counsellor?” rushed through Miss Frost’s head at once. However complicated her thoughts became, they seemed to end up sounding like ‘mumbo jumbo’.

Before she could give him another ‘personal opinion or view’ about his visit, he saved himself from more indignation by saying: “But that’s not our topic now.” He took a deep breath before proceeding, and he seemed to be gathering up enough courage to come out with whatever news he brought with him. “Actually, I am currently planning to found a new newspaper. My own newspaper,” he said finally.

“That is great news! And, let me guess: you came here to offer me your partnership? Or to become an editor perhaps?” She said blankly.

He smiled at her appreciatively like he always did whenever he discussed an issue with her.

“Yes, it pleases me to ask you to become my editor and partner in that newspaper I am willing to found.”

She was about to inquire about something when he quickly added, “No worries for the financial matters. I will be taking care of them. In fact, everything is ready. I even rented an old two-storey building nearby this morning.” He smiled proudly as if he were a child who has just finished his homework and was awaiting his reward.

“Interesting. I will take my time thinking about your offer though,” she said. She managed to hide a smile that was threatening to carve its way through her face at the fact that he was able to read her mind by answering her unspoken question; however, she would never admit it. Typical Miss Frost.

“As you wish. I will be eagerly awaiting your response,” he said. “Well, I will excuse myself now as it is starting to get a bit late into the evening. I wasted much of your precious time already,” he added with a smirk.

She feigned a giggle and then said, “Don’t be too harsh on yourself. You haven’t wasted that ‘much’ of my time.” At that moment, her face was expressionless that Mr. Dillingham was amazed at how quickly she was able to switch from one facial expression to another or to none at all. “Now, would you like me to lead you to the door, or do you know your way out?” she asked. Her fake smile was back again on her face, and this time, it was wider than the one she had given him before. He smiled back at her, even though he didn’t manage to make it as ridiculous as hers was.