Read Tuesday The Rabbi Saw Red for Free Online Page B

certain that if told she must substantiate her phenomenal grade in the final by taking another exam, she will admit everything.” She looked away and then added. “I understand she has a small scholarship from some religious group in Kansas where her father is a minister.”
    “What do you want. Dean Hanbury?”
    “Well.” said the dean, noting the change in tone, “we don’t want a scandal, and we don’t want another confrontation with the students.”
    “In other words, you’d like me to resign quietly.”
    “No.”
    “No?”
    “Since the semester has already started.” said the dean. “I suspect that some of your more concerned friends among the student body and the faculty would realize that your resignation probably had been requested and might initiate the inquiries and possible actions we’re trying to avoid.”
    “Then what exactly are you recommending. Dean Hanbury?”
    Millicent Hanbury., feeling in control now, picked up her yarn and resumed knitting. “You were hired on a one-year contract which expires at the end of this semester,” she said. “We would be happy to have you fulfill your contract, but on the mutual understanding it will not be renewed.”
    “What’s the catch?”
    “No catch. Professor Fine. But to insure that you leave quietly at the end of the semester. I’m asking you to sign this paper, which is your admission that you showed the Dunlop girl an advance copy of the exam. I will put it in my safe in a sealed envelope, and that will be the end of it.”
    The room was silent except for the click of the knitting needles. “How do you mean the end of it?”
    “Just that,” she said. “We are willing to let the matter rest if you are. When you have fulfilled your contract, you will leave Windemere and the envelope will be destroyed or returned to you.”
    “And how about my getting another job?”
    “We won’t interfere in any way,” she assured him.
    “Let me get this straight, Miss Hanbury,” he said. “If I sign that paper, you put it away and say nothing. You don’t mention it if I apply for another job someplace else, and they write you for reference?”
    “We will make no mention of what is in that paper, we’ll handle it as a matter of form and transmit whatever ratings you’ve been given without comment. I believe Professor Bowdoin gave you a rating before he retired?”
    “Superior.”
    “And your student rating?”
    “Also Superior. But how about Hendryx?”
    “He’s only acting head of your department and so would not be asked to rate you,” she said.
    “All right. Give me the paper. I’ll sign.” He switched his cane to his left hand and reached into his breast pocket for a pen, he glanced at the single typed paragraph and was about to sign when a thought occurred to him. “How about Miss Dunlop?”
    The dean laughed shortly. “Oh, we’re not greatly concerned about her. Dunlop barely passed even with that A on the final, and judging by the rest of her grades. I doubt the girl will stay the distance.”

Chapter Five
    Ever since the death of his wife three years earlier, President Macomber had been a lonely man, rattling around the large President’s House, ministered to by his efficient but dull housekeeper. Mrs. Childs. Outwardly he appeared to maintain an active social life, going out two or three nights a week to meetings, conferences, official dinners. Once a year he was ‘at home’ to the faculty, serving sherry, crackers and cheese, coffee and cake, under the supervision of Mrs. Childs and a crew from the school cafeteria, and once a year, he gave dinner to the board of trustees, a dinner served by outside caterers, much to the annoyance of the estimable Mrs. Childs who regarded it as a reflection on her.
    On those evenings when he stayed home, he read the newspapers after dinner, watched TV or read a book, at ten, Mrs. Childs appeared with tea which she set down on the table beside his easy chair, wished him goodnight, and went