“They had no such thing when I was there,” said George. “We didn’t even have a gymnasium.”
“No, the gym was built in 1908, I think. In plenty of time for your son Bing. He was pretty strong, but he didn’t like gym. But that was before Hans Richtenwald was there. Very inspiring man. An absolute nut on physical fitness. He came over here after the war and was recommended by the Y.M.C.A. College in Springfield. He’s responsible for the high average of physical fitness at St. Bartholomew’s, no question about it.”
“It is high? I didn’t realize that.”
“Very high. And another thing he does, he keeps the boys from playing with themselves.”
“How does he do that?”
“By talking to them. He can look at a boy and know right away that he’s jerking off. So he has him in for a talk, and believe me he puts the fear of God into them.”
“So you have sex education at St. Bartholomew’s? I didn’t know that, either.”
“They don’t call it that, but that’s what it is. Quite a frightening lecture on venereal disease. If a boy catches gonorrhea or syphilis, it’s his own fault, after one of Hans’s lectures.”
“Well, I do declare,” said George. “I was a senior in college before I really knew the difference between one and the other.”
“That’s the way it used to be but not any more. Hans works very closely with the chaplain, and the record shows that the system is worthwhile. In the last five years there hasn’t been a single case of a boy who had to be sent home because of a venereal disease.”
“I can’t recall any in my time,” said George.
“In your time they were sent home, but they gave other reasons. The real reason is in the confidential records.”
“You have access to the confidential records? You must know a great deal about me. That’s very disconcerting.”
“No. In your case it’s mostly complimentary. I shouldn’t even be telling you that much, so please don’t ask me any more.”
“Of course not,” said George. “Were you allowed to see your own record?”
“I saw it. It wasn’t as complimentary as yours, but I’m not going to divulge any of my own secrets.”
“Well, let’s wash away our past sins in the cold salt water,” said George.
The water was indeed cold, too cold for George Lockwood. He stayed in it three or four minutes and came out and sat in the sun, watching Hibbard disport himself in the surf.
“After the temperatures in Maine, this is practically tepid,” said Hibbard.
“I think you’re boasting,” said George.
“Well, perhaps I am.”
“Of course you are,” said George. “Have you had enough?”
“Enough to give me an appetite,” said Hibbard.
“Then let’s have lunch,” said George.
They had lunch on the screened porch; lobster Newburg, rice, string beans, strawberries, and coffee. “I knew I could count on a good meal at the Lockwoods’, and I seem to’ve done justice to it,” said Hibbard.
“One thing about Pennsylvanians, we like to eat,” said George. “My grandfather used to say, nobody goes away hungry from our table.”
“I’m glad to see you’ve carried on that tradition,” said Hibbard.
“Well, we haven’t got so many,” said George. “Now if you’re ready, we can have the table cleared and get down to business out here. I think we’ll be more comfortable than inside. If you’ll excuse me while I get my brother’s folder.”
It was now two o’clock, and George knew that by judiciously explaining Pen’s various holdings, it would be well past four o’clock before he got through. Tina and Geraldine should be returning no later than four-thirty. And so for the next two hours Preston Hibbard was given a history of Penrose Lockwood’s investments which was still incomplete when the Packard drove up to the front door.
“How nice, you’re still here,” said Geraldine. “I believe you have met our daughter.”
“A long time ago,” said Tina. “Don’t pretend to remember.”
“I remember the occasion, but the lady herself has changed considerably,” said Hibbard.
“Well, we won’t disturb you,” said Geraldine. “Go on with your work.”
“I think I’ll go for a swim. Anyone else?” said Tina.
“You couldn’t pay me to go in that ice water again today,” said George. “However, if Mr. Hibbard wants to show off again, he can. We won’t be able to finish up today, Hibbard. I’m afraid you’ll have to come back some other time.”
“Why not spend the night?” said Geraldine.
“Because he has other things to do,” said George.
“That’s not very hospitable,” said Geraldine.
“I asked Mr. Hibbard to come down as a favor to me. I can’t impose on him any more. I’m sure he has a full day tomorrow.”
“I have got a full day tomorrow, but that’s not saying I can’t spend the night,” said Hibbard. “I’d like to spend the night, if that’s all right with you.”
“Of course it is. You mean we could work after dinner?” said George.
“Yes, or I could come down again. I’d like to go for another swim. The water’ll be warmer now, Mr. Lockwood.”
“Not warm enough for me. I’ll get you a bathing suit. I don’t imagine yours is dry.”
It was Tina who had done it; there could be no mistaking Hibbard’s instantaneous attraction to her, and when she reappeared in her bathing suit, swinging a white rubber cap and slightly impatient to get to the ocean, Hibbard was obedient. It was not like Hibbard to be obedient.
They were gone nearly two hours. What they had found to talk about did not much matter, but when they came back to the house it seemed to George that Tina was indifferent and Hibbard anxious to please.
“What size shirt do you wear?” said George.
“Fifteen-and-a-half. Thirty-three-and-a-half sleeve,” said Hibbard.
“We wear the same size collar,” said George. “I’ll lend you a couple of shirts. One for tonight, and one for the morning. My pajamas and underwear will fit you. Dinner’s at seven-thirty. I’ll show you your room.”
“I hope I’m not inconveniencing you, Mr. Lockwood,” said Hibbard.
“Not a bit. Why?”
“Well, frankly, your daughter said you were working too hard and you were here for a rest,” said Hibbard. “She made me promise not to do any work tonight.”
“I suppose she told you I was under a strain,” said George.
“Yes, she did, and I can very well understand that.”
“Tina’s a very perceptive young woman. She’s been very helpful. We’ll be having cocktails about seven. On the same porch. Come down whenever you feel like it.”
Preston Hibbard’s efforts, before and during dinner, to ingratiate himself with Geraldine were indicative of a desire to have her on his side. More subtly, Hibbard’s wish to have Geraldine on his side was taken by George to indicate Hibbard’s intention to see more of Tina. He told amusing stories of his previous visits to the house, and they were directed at Geraldine; he was alert with matches when she needed a light for her cigarette. The small attentions were appreciated by Geraldine, and she all but purred. “We have some tickets to the summer theater at East Sandwich,” said Geraldine. “If you two’d like to use them. I don’t know what’s playing, but you could call up and find out.”
“I know,” said Tina. “It’s The Bat.”
“Oh, yes,” said Hibbard. “The play based on The Circular Staircase, by Mary Roberts Rinehart. Would you like to see it?”