Today we had a few more customers than yesterday. I awoke once more just after the sun had risen, dressed, and headed to the kitchen for breakfast. Once again, Boris had already left. I ate, then Ellen and I headed down the creaky wooden steps to prepare the shop and wait for Ruby. 

Ellen struck up a conversation with me, as we waited for Ruby, asking me about the goings on of the Valley and telling me about her sons and how she hopes they'll visit her soon. I mostly stayed silent, listening to Ellen. I'm not sure if she noticed that I hadn't much to say to her. She was content to speak nontheless.

Ruby then arrived, her presence announced by the clear ding of the bell above the door. Ellen greeted her enthusiastically, giving her a tight hug. Ellen's words were soon joined by Ruby's. They were interrupted, however, by a group of loud young men.

There were six of them, all dressed in spotless clothing and jingling with golden trinkets. Ellen and Ruby both became sour faced, but put on a neutral expression whenever one of the young men's gazes passed over them. They only really looked at Ellen though. I found it quite odd that they seemed not to know that Ruby was even there. If they spotted her, their faces twisted in disgust and Ellen's frown only deepened.

A few of the young men were very interested in learning who I was. I tried to disappear amongst the shelves, but three times I was approached by one of them and my person was questioned. I merely chose not to speak English, questioning them in return by means of Greek or Latin. Confused, the first two young men turned away and rejoined their group. Unfortunately, the third knew a bit of Latin and answered my question: "What are you doing in this shop, sir?" 

"I am here for a book, lady," he'd replied, a silly little smile on his face. I'd frowned. I had expected the three men to be ignorant of my language. He had spoken a variation of the Latin that I had learned as a child, but I could still understand him. I'd looked closer at his appearance. It had disgusted me. He had skinny limbs and a rectangular torso, a pair of bulging eyes set into long face with a pair of thin and dry lips. His skin was a dull, yellow-white color and his brown hair limp and greasy. Along with his mismatched appearance, he had reeked of sweat, among other things.

Curious to know how a man of his gross stature had learned such an esteemed language, I'd asked, in Latin of course, "How is it that you come to speak Latin?"

I'd recalled a bit of the Latin that Johnathan had taught me and said to him, "You look much like an underfed ass." I'd edged around him and scurried over to the register-counter. I'd felt giddy with the thrill of saying such a thing to a young man who was not my brother. Now though, I scold myself for doing such a brash thing. 

Ellen had served the six boys, ringing up their purchases: several books out of the historical section that I didn't see the titles of. After the door had firmly shut, Ellen had scowled deeply and turned to speak to me.

"I'm afraid we'll be seeing those boys again, Lily." She'd sighed. "My store is the largest book-shop in town and where most of the wealthy folk buy their literature." She'd crossed her arms, looking out the window at the slowly shrinking figures of the rich young men. "They usually have the books delivered to their doorstep, the prats." Ruby had chuckled at that, as she swept up the dirty footprints the young men had left scattered throughout the shop. 

The conversation soon struck up again between Ellen and Ruby. Ellen had stated adamantly at one point: "Ruby, you really must bring your family round for dinner again! It's been a while since I've spoken with Owen!" (Owen is the name of Ruby's husband.) Ruby had agreed and I think the two of them spent the rest of that conversation choosing a day and planning a meal. 

For today's lunch, Ruby had brought little pork sandwiches she had prepared, and Ellen cut a few apples into slices and set out some cheese. I'd brought up the topic of the six young men again, and Ruby and Ellen had proceeded to explain to me why they were indeed prats. I'd laughed several times at their descriptions of the young men and grown sympathetic and angry when I learned of the amount of indentured servants each had serving their household.

I'd bashfully admitted to the two of them what I'd said to the third boy. Ellen had grinned wide. Ruby had laughed hard, upon learning the reason for the disgusting young man's baffled expression.

After lunch, I'd been surprised when a seventh customer caused the book-shop door to ding. I had smiled when I learned that it was only the elderly lady that I had tried to serve on my first day in the book shop.

This time, I had introduced myself to her, and she to me. The widowed Mrs. Robinson is a dedicated customer of Ellen's book-shop. She lives with her eldest son and his wife in the home of her late husband. She enjoys cooking and baking, and chatting with Ellen and her daughter-in-law. 

I rang up her purchase, (one of Ellen's hand-bound journals) then said farewell. A few hours later, Ellen and I said farewell to Ruby also. Dinner time came, and Boris arrived home. Ellen relayed to him the visit of the six rich boys, scowling all the while, then proudly told of my insulting of the one of them. Boris frowned at the first of her story, and smiled slightly at the second. After dinner, I once again helped Ellen clear the table then retreated to my room.

It's dark now; the stars and a sliver of the moon are clear in the sky. I look forward to seeing tomorrow's potential customers.