Read The Serpent in the Glass (The Tale of Thomas Farrell) for Free Online Page B

and looked up at them. The Housekeeper paused, gave Jessica a thoroughly disapproving look, and then called for them both to come down.
    Thomas followed Miss McGritch, but didn’t speak to Jessica, who looked as if she’d bite his head off if he tried. Why was she acting this way? Suddenly Thomas had a thought. Perhaps she was jealous. She’d said it was beautiful. St Prudence-in-the-fields was a nice enough school no doubt, but probably not as exciting and picturesque as Darkledun Manor. That must be it, Thomas thought. He’d been thinking so much about what Mr Trevelyan might know of his father that he’d given no thought to how Jessica might be feeling or the implications of him actually going to school here. He had to make a decision that would affect his life, and the Westhrops’ lives, for at least the next five years. Had Mr Westhrop thought about that? Yet Thomas felt strangely comfortable with the idea of living here for most of the year, excited even. Though he wasn’t sure what the Headmaster would do once he found out that he had no special gifts. Or perhaps Mr Westhrop had already told Mr Trevelyan about Thomas’s lack of talent. By the time they got back to the Headmaster’s Office Thomas had made up his mind on the matter.
    Miss McGritch took up her place by the door, like a guard, whilst Jessica and Thomas returned to their seats under the delighted gaze of the Headmaster. Mr Westhrop looked pleased with himself, though it was hard to gauge Mrs Westhrop’s mood as she cautiously picked at a pink-topped fairy cake.
    ‘Ah, welcome back the both of you!’ Mr Trevelyan said with some exuberance. ‘I trust you have enjoyed the tour? Sorry it was so brief.’
    Thomas nodded and smiled, though Jessica said nothing.
    Mr Trevelyan leaned forward and raised his eyebrows. ‘Well, Thomas, your guardians have agreed to your enrolment here. That only leaves me to ask you whether you wish to attend?’
    Thomas saw Mr Westhrop’s eyes widen a little. Clearly he hadn’t been expecting the question. Thomas looked at Jessica who sat staring out the window. ‘Yes, very much.’
    Jessica didn’t show any reaction, though Thomas thought he heard Mr Westhrop give a very faint sigh of relief.
    ‘But I wondered if — if it would be possible for —’ Thomas mumbled much to Mr Westhrop’s irritation. ‘I mean would it be possible for Jessica to go to school here as well?’
    Jessica looked up, her eyes wide in surprise at what Thomas had just said. But her eyes weren’t the only ones filled with surprise.
    ‘My Jessica, come here?’ Mrs Westhrop almost whimpered. She looked at her husband for support.
    ‘Thomas, the invitation was only for you, and we couldn’t afford to pay for Jessica. You see,’ — Mr Westhrop turned to look at the Headmaster — ‘the school we’ve picked out, St Prudence-in-the-fields, is very reasonable in its costs.’
    ‘Please, sir,’ Thomas began, ‘I don’t know how much my father left, but if there’s enough I’d like to pay for Jessica too.’
    Mr Westhrop looked as if he were about to disapprove of the idea, but then stopped himself. Thomas recognized those eyes. Mr Westhrop was doing some mental calculations at a speed way beyond Thomas’s ability.
    ‘Yes, Thomas, your father left enough,’ Mr Trevelyan said. ‘You cannot spend the money though. You see, it was put in trust until you come of age.’
    Thomas felt disappointed, and his face didn’t hide it.
    ‘However,’ Mr Trevelyan continued, ‘I am sure the representative of your late father’s estate would release funds for such —’ Mr Trevelyan paused as if trying to find the right words, ‘for such a magnanimous gesture.’ Mr Trevelyan smiled warmly and Thomas reddened quite deeply. He’d no idea what a ‘magnanimous gesture’ was, but he was sure he’d just been paid a compliment. And for some reason that felt really good, coming from Mr Trevelyan as it did.
    ‘That’s if it’s all right with