A Laboratory
Apr 30, 2008 17:39:34 GMT -5
Post by Sorcha on Apr 30, 2008 17:39:34 GMT -5
*Sorcha squinted down the microscope, her right hand busily sketching what she saw magnified below. She was so focused she didn't hear the footsteps behind her until Professor Grisham appeared at her side, making her jump.*
"Oh! I didn't hear you come in," *she said with a sheepish grin. He laughed.*
"I'm sorry--so many years of observing animals in the wild and I've gotten used to not making a sound when I move about. Shall I put a bell around my neck?"
*Sorcha laughed. Grisham was different from the other professors--younger than most, though in his early forties, more enthusiastic, more inclined to joke--though a hard marker.*
"If you think it might help," *she said, erasing the smudged bit of her drawing where her hand had jerked, blowing away the rubber grit.*
"If I do, I may not get many chances to observe you hard at work in your habitat," *he quipped.* "It seems you're in here every time I pass by. Planning a graduate degree, are you?"
*She shrugged.*
"No, sir. That is, I'm going home once I've graduated, and I want to make the most of the time I have left to learn. There's...someone's expecting me."
*Something in Grisham's eyes sobered.*
"A very great pity," *he said slowly.* "That even as we begin to allow women into our universities some of the greatest minds are only allowed to skim the surface of what may be offered."
"Perhaps," *said Sorcha, clearing her throat and turning back to organize her papers. Grisham leaned against the table and crossed his arms.*
"Miss MacNamara...you may have heard that I'm to head another expedition to Africa next autumn to study some rather rare beetles. I'm in need of an assistant, and...to be frank, you stand out amongst my students with the passion you have for your work, your eagerness to learn..."
"And the noble sons of Oxford would rather write papers than sully their hands with research?" *she said dryly.*
"Just so," *he said with a conspiratorial grin.* "I think you could learn much. A career in the sciences is easily in your reach--and with my help, you could attain more than you'd ever dreamed of."
*Sorcha's mouth went dry.*
"You think so?"
"I know so. Intelligent, clever--they ARE two different things, and both necessary in this venture--eager to learn, and to work hard. You're a pillar of strength--together we could do great things."
"B-but...would it be appropriate? For me to go with you to Africa, even as your assistant? I mean, people will talk. People talk. They'll talk. With women being only so recently admitted to the university...perhaps it would be more prudent to take a male student with you, Professor."
"...Miss MacNamara...Sorcha," *he said with a gentle smile, taking hold of her hand.* "They would not talk if...we were married."
*Sorcha's eyes widened and she pulled her cold hand from his grip.*
"...how can you even--?"
"Not while you are my student, of course--but you will graduate this spring, and by the fall there would be no reason not to--"
"But I do not love you!"
"I do not ask you for love, Sorcha!" *he said with soft insistence.* "Companionship, perhaps, but I see a brilliance in you I cannot let be wasted or hidden, and I will do what I must to see you properly tutored. Not that I would think you a burden. We've always gotten along...we've always been friendly, haven't we?"
"Well...yes...but...I--I cannot say, just now."
"Of course, of course," *he said amiably, turning to go. He paused in the doorway and looked back at her with an encouraging smile.* "Consider it. I will not expect an answer until the time comes to book passage on a ship to Africa."
*His footsteps--no doubt he stomped in an effort to humour her which was lost on Sorcha as her mind was occupied fully by the enormity of the situation. Marry him? The thought was impossible, of course, but...a career. Africa. To look at more than dusty samples under glass and pictures in books...
She turned back to the microscope with a sigh, her eyes closing for a moment.*
I won't think about it now. Not just yet.
"Oh! I didn't hear you come in," *she said with a sheepish grin. He laughed.*
"I'm sorry--so many years of observing animals in the wild and I've gotten used to not making a sound when I move about. Shall I put a bell around my neck?"
*Sorcha laughed. Grisham was different from the other professors--younger than most, though in his early forties, more enthusiastic, more inclined to joke--though a hard marker.*
"If you think it might help," *she said, erasing the smudged bit of her drawing where her hand had jerked, blowing away the rubber grit.*
"If I do, I may not get many chances to observe you hard at work in your habitat," *he quipped.* "It seems you're in here every time I pass by. Planning a graduate degree, are you?"
*She shrugged.*
"No, sir. That is, I'm going home once I've graduated, and I want to make the most of the time I have left to learn. There's...someone's expecting me."
*Something in Grisham's eyes sobered.*
"A very great pity," *he said slowly.* "That even as we begin to allow women into our universities some of the greatest minds are only allowed to skim the surface of what may be offered."
"Perhaps," *said Sorcha, clearing her throat and turning back to organize her papers. Grisham leaned against the table and crossed his arms.*
"Miss MacNamara...you may have heard that I'm to head another expedition to Africa next autumn to study some rather rare beetles. I'm in need of an assistant, and...to be frank, you stand out amongst my students with the passion you have for your work, your eagerness to learn..."
"And the noble sons of Oxford would rather write papers than sully their hands with research?" *she said dryly.*
"Just so," *he said with a conspiratorial grin.* "I think you could learn much. A career in the sciences is easily in your reach--and with my help, you could attain more than you'd ever dreamed of."
*Sorcha's mouth went dry.*
"You think so?"
"I know so. Intelligent, clever--they ARE two different things, and both necessary in this venture--eager to learn, and to work hard. You're a pillar of strength--together we could do great things."
"B-but...would it be appropriate? For me to go with you to Africa, even as your assistant? I mean, people will talk. People talk. They'll talk. With women being only so recently admitted to the university...perhaps it would be more prudent to take a male student with you, Professor."
"...Miss MacNamara...Sorcha," *he said with a gentle smile, taking hold of her hand.* "They would not talk if...we were married."
*Sorcha's eyes widened and she pulled her cold hand from his grip.*
"...how can you even--?"
"Not while you are my student, of course--but you will graduate this spring, and by the fall there would be no reason not to--"
"But I do not love you!"
"I do not ask you for love, Sorcha!" *he said with soft insistence.* "Companionship, perhaps, but I see a brilliance in you I cannot let be wasted or hidden, and I will do what I must to see you properly tutored. Not that I would think you a burden. We've always gotten along...we've always been friendly, haven't we?"
"Well...yes...but...I--I cannot say, just now."
"Of course, of course," *he said amiably, turning to go. He paused in the doorway and looked back at her with an encouraging smile.* "Consider it. I will not expect an answer until the time comes to book passage on a ship to Africa."
*His footsteps--no doubt he stomped in an effort to humour her which was lost on Sorcha as her mind was occupied fully by the enormity of the situation. Marry him? The thought was impossible, of course, but...a career. Africa. To look at more than dusty samples under glass and pictures in books...
She turned back to the microscope with a sigh, her eyes closing for a moment.*
I won't think about it now. Not just yet.