With Tess’s help, as well as Elsie to assist with apple peeling, we had it finished. I continually moved to the high windows that looked out at the street, waiting to see the arrival of Mr. Thanos and Mr. Fielding.

They came separately, and I wondered if Mr. Fielding was aware Mr. Thanos would also be attending.

As the courses went up, I could not stop my worrying. I wished I could send for Daniel, who might find a reason to take Mr. Fielding away, but I did not know how to find him. James, my trusty go-between, was at the Foundling Hospital.

Nothing for it. After I sent up the roast, I babbled an excuse to Tess and quietly skimmed up the stairs into the main house, making my way soundlessly to the dining room. The double door was closed, but I carefully pried it open a crack and peered inside.

“Extraordinary,” I heard Mr. Fielding say. He sounded cheerful, but I detected the sharp irony in his voice. “Do go on, Mr. Thanos. All this mathematics is most riveting.”

19

Mr. Thanos flushed. Mr. Fielding was baiting him, and he knew it. Cynthia lifted her goblet of clear wine, the one glass she was allowed at dinner.

“It is riveting to me,” Cynthia said. “Amazing how numbers can come together and make the world run.”

“That is true,” Mr. Thanos said. I could see him in my sliver of doorway, and he turned to Cynthia eagerly. “Mr. Maxwell’s laws on electromagnetism and thermodynamics really are all we need to know. Equations that are beautiful, elegant, and simple.”

“If they are simple, why don’t the rest of us understand them?” Mr. Fielding asked in amusement. “I think these fellows invent things simply in order to keep their positions.”

“Mathematics can be learned by anyone,” Mr. Thanos said in earnestness. “If they take the trouble.”

“I concede not all of us are brilliant at it,” Cynthia broke in. “But to imply they invent it to stay employed is going a bit far, Mr. Fielding. Mr. Thanos will be a lecturer at the new Polytechnic, Uncle, did you know? Sir Arthur Maddox is his patron now.”

“Is he?” Mrs. Bywater chirped, brightening. “I’ve been to gatherings with Sir Arthur. He is highly thought of.”

“He is indeed,” Mr. Thanos said. “Quite generous.”

“Congratulations, old chap,” Mr. Fielding said, suddenly effusive.

“Excellent news,” Mr. Bywater said. “You must give us a tour when the school opens. Now, Mr. Fielding, I can tell you, as a City man, that mathematics is terribly important—we can’t count money without it.”

“Ah,” Mr. Fielding said. “You have a point.”

Polite laughter went around the table, and I relaxed a bit. Cynthia would not let Mr. Fielding dominate, as much as Mrs. Bywater seemed to be taken with him.