-
Chapter Six
- LANGAA RPCIG
- Chapter
- Additional Information
37 Chapter Six he following morning, when he opened his eyes, his room had been invaded by the light of dawn. He remembered the events of the previous day and then he thought for a while and was not quite sure as to what side of the world he belonged to. He rubbed his eyes, opened them wider and recognized that nothing had changed. His room was still the same with books and scraps of paper scattered on the floor, on the table, chairs and even on the bed. He could not believe it. He wondered at what might have prevented him from descending yet. Without considering that he ought to do his toilet first thing in the morning, he got out of his room and walked down the corridor into the staircase and out of the flat. He ran to the lake and found its water cold and peaceful. He dipped his fingers into it, took them out quickly and turned towards his flat. It was already more than fourteen hours since his amulet got drowned in the lake and nothing had happened. “Maybe,” thought Dion Ekpochaba, “ the gods have gone to sleep.” Dion made up his mind to go to Walsgrave hospital to visit Mr Tom Jones. He had decided to forego his classes for the entire day. He took the number nine bus to the hospital. He discovered that Tom had already been discharged from the hospital and he had returned to his home. He requested for his address, giving reasons why he wanted it. The hospital authorities were quite understanding and they T 38 gave him. He found Tom’s home at number 48 Chancellor close, Cannon Park. It was only about twenty minutes walk from the university. When he ran the doorbell and the door opened, he was very surprised that it was Tom himself who met him at the door and asked him in. His faithful Jim was on his heels, wagging its tail. “Di..on, am I right?,” asked Tom Jones. “You’re quite right” answered Dion. “Nice to see you. I knew you would come. Have a seat.” “How did you know I would come, Tom?” “I’m very familiar with the hospitable attitude of your people. Don’t forget I’ve lived with them.” “I see. Thank you for the compliment and for receiving me,” Dion said warmly. “How did you find yourself here. I’m sure we didn’t exchange addresses, did we?” Tom asked. “No, we didn’t, but my people say that a dog that can make use of its nose, never loses its way. Same applies to a man that can make use of his mouth,” said Dion touching his mouth. “That’s clever Dion. So whom did you ask from?” “When I got up today, I discovered myself alive and the rest of Coventry too. I then thought about you and what had happened to you, so I went directly to the hospital, where I was informed you had gone back home. Anxious to see you, I asked for your home address from the hospital authorities.” [3.226.254.255] Project MUSE (2024-03-28 14:23 GMT) 39 “Very kind of you, Dion, anything I can do for you, young man?” Tom inquired.” “Anything you can do for me? But you were seriously ill yesterday, almost at a break neck situation, so for no other reason, I should come and see you and find out how you are doing. It embarrasses me when you ask if you can do anything for me. I didn’t come to your house, so that you do something for me. I came because I care.” “Thank you very much. Well, Dion, it was nothing serious, it happened to have been one of those bouts of fits that overcome me from time to time. All I needed was a few doses of phenytoin and a lot of rest to feel all right again. It was the first time the fits had taken hold of me in the open, like that. I better get you some coffee,” he said disappearing into his kitchen. Dion had become very used to the offer of coffee or tea. English people felt very honoured and happy offering their guest either of these, and they did it in very tiny teacups. Back home, guests were offered a bottle of cold beer and sometimes food, when it was available. Over here, you didn’t have to expect...