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Reading
Jun 26, 2008 19:04:41 GMT -5
Post by Aziraphale on Jun 26, 2008 19:04:41 GMT -5
*Aziraphale sat by Herbert's bed reading from 'David Copperfield' just as he had every day for the past week.*
"I am doubtful whether I was at heart glad or sorry, when my school-days drew to an end, and the time came for my leaving Doctor Strong's. I had been very happy there, I had a great attachment for the Doctor, and I was eminent and distinguished in that little world. For these reasons I was sorry to go; but for other reasons, unsubstantial enough, I was glad. Misty ideas of being a young man at my own disposal, of the importance attaching to a young man at his own disposal, of the wonderful things to be seen and done by that magnificent animal, and the wonderful effects he could not fail to make upon society, lured me away. So powerful were these visionary considerations in my boyish mind, that I seem, according to my present way of thinking, to have left school without natural regret. The separation has not made the impression on me, that other separations have. I try in vain to recall how I felt about it, and what its circumstances were; but it is not momentous in my recollection. I suppose the opening prospect confused me. I know that my juvenile experiences went for little or nothing then; and that life was more like a great fairy story, which I was just about to begin to read, than anything else..."
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Reading
Jun 26, 2008 19:36:39 GMT -5
Post by Herbert von Krolock on Jun 26, 2008 19:36:39 GMT -5
Herbert sighed, and then frowned suddenly.
"Let me see that."
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Reading
Jun 26, 2008 19:40:08 GMT -5
Post by Aziraphale on Jun 26, 2008 19:40:08 GMT -5
*He passed him the book.*
"Is there a problem?"
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Reading
Jun 26, 2008 19:44:06 GMT -5
Post by Herbert von Krolock on Jun 26, 2008 19:44:06 GMT -5
"I want to compare it to the translation."
He forced himself to sit up, mumbling as he did so.
"'Nebelhaft Traumen', not 'misty ideas'... What an unfortunate language."
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Reading
Jun 26, 2008 19:47:54 GMT -5
Post by Aziraphale on Jun 26, 2008 19:47:54 GMT -5
"I happen to adore the English language, thank you v-"
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Reading
Jun 26, 2008 19:51:46 GMT -5
Post by Herbert von Krolock on Jun 26, 2008 19:51:46 GMT -5
Herbert pulled the book away from him.
"Thank you, darling," he said, as though he'd actually gotten permission.
He then looked down at the page.
For a moment, his expression was unreadable, but it soon became a frown of confusion. He looked up at Aziraphale, still frowning but looking vaguely amused.
"Translating as you go. How clever of you."
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Reading
Jun 26, 2008 19:55:55 GMT -5
Post by Aziraphale on Jun 26, 2008 19:55:55 GMT -5
*Aziraphale looked confused.*
"What do you mean, dear? The book's in English."
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Reading
Jun 26, 2008 19:58:02 GMT -5
Post by Herbert von Krolock on Jun 26, 2008 19:58:02 GMT -5
"The script is quite pretty," Herbert told him, having not listened at all. "Is this how one writes in Heaven?"
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Reading
Jun 26, 2008 20:03:15 GMT -5
Post by Aziraphale on Jun 26, 2008 20:03:15 GMT -5
"Herbert, it's English. Plain English," *he said, standing with a worried frown.*
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Reading
Jun 26, 2008 20:07:40 GMT -5
Post by Herbert von Krolock on Jun 26, 2008 20:07:40 GMT -5
He looked back at the book, and his frown deepened, forming a tiny crease on an otherwise perfect brow.
"But it's not- it can't be- these aren't words, Zira-"
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Reading
Jun 26, 2008 20:12:18 GMT -5
Post by Aziraphale on Jun 26, 2008 20:12:18 GMT -5
"What are you talking about?"
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Reading
Jun 26, 2008 20:14:37 GMT -5
Post by Herbert von Krolock on Jun 26, 2008 20:14:37 GMT -5
"I'm talking about the fact that this book is clearly printed in something most decidedly not the Roman alphabet!" Herbert snapped, in a tone that clearly implied that he thought the angel was being unbearably stupid at the moment.
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Reading
Jun 26, 2008 20:19:21 GMT -5
Post by Aziraphale on Jun 26, 2008 20:19:21 GMT -5
*He looked from the book to Herbert for a moment, his concerned frown deepening.*
"Oh dear..."
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Reading
Jun 26, 2008 20:22:15 GMT -5
Post by Herbert von Krolock on Jun 26, 2008 20:22:15 GMT -5
"If this is a joke, it's not funny," Herbert snarled.
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Reading
Jun 26, 2008 20:25:16 GMT -5
Post by Aziraphale on Jun 26, 2008 20:25:16 GMT -5
"Herbert, on the barricades you had quite a nasty fall. I think you hit your head quite hard," *he began.*
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