The Donaldson Controversy (2)

I arrived early for the next lecture,  and took my usual seat at the front of the class. I noticed a figure lurking at the side of the lecture hall, a man in his late 20s or early 30s, not someone I reconised.  He had with him a large canvas bag.  

I was going to go up and ask his business, but at that moment Miss Groves arrived and took a seat on my right. 

“I hope you don’t mind,” she said. 

“No, you’re welcome.” 

“Has your Bennett arrived yet?” she said 

“I’ve had nothing from the library,” I said   

Turner arrived and placed his copy of Bennett, and his coat, on the chair beside me.  “Keep my place he said.” 

“Where are you going?” I asked, but he didn’t respond, he walked off to join the furtive man at the side of the lecture hall. 

Prof Ambrose arrived and hushed the class to start the class. At this point Turner sprang forth, and addressed the class. 

“It has been brought to my attention that the university bookshop has no stock of Bennetts,” he said.  “Mr Lombard here from the town bookshop has kindly agreed to make Bennetts available to the class, at a special rate, a discount of 12.5%, if anyone here wishes to buy a copy now.” 

Lombard stepped out from the shadows and held up a copy of a Bennett as a sample of his wares. 

“Very well,” said Prof Ambrose to the class. “You may have five minutes to buy a copy now before the class begins.” 

A small number of students left their seats and purchased copies of the Bennett from Lombard. 

“You’re not going?” said Miss Groves. 

“I have a Donaldson,” I reminded her. “I’ve ordered a Bennett from the library, but I can’t afford to buy another overarching course guide.” 

“Are we lunching again today?” she said. 

“I would like that very much,” I replied. 

“I’ll meet you in the cafeteria at noon then.” 

“I’ll see you at the cafeteria at noon.” 

After a few minutes the small queue of boys had all obtained their Bennetts and Lombard left the class.  The lecture continued, beginning, as modern history does, with the French revolution. I took extensive notes, Turner and Miss Groves, I noted, less so. 

After class, Watson accosted me in the corridor. 

“I notice you’re not one of the Bennett brigade,” he said. 

“I’m awaiting mine from the library.” 

“What a lot of nonsense that was. What a cheap trick, bringing Lombard to class like that.” Watson’s sidekicks smirked agreement. 

“He’s just a bookseller applying his trade,” I said. “It seems there were a few that wanted a Bennett, so he’s saved everyone a trip into town.” 

“I wonder about you Oblong. You have a Donaldson, that would satisfy most people, but you’re sitting with Turner and pestering the library for Bennetts. I wonder which side you’re really on.” 

“I’m not on a side,” I said. “I’m just here to learn history.” 

“Ha,” Watson laughed. “That’s not why any of us are here, and you know that.” 

I was confused by this statement. “But it’s a history course,” I said.  

Watson and his sidekicks swaggered off without responding.