a grandfather's books

no one in the family reads the right side. the grandfather did, apparently, though it is difficult to tell which volumes he worked through and which he kept because he meant to. the books smell of pipe smoke. several of them are too tightly bound to open without complaint.

most read (since inheritance): the day-book, which is in english and which the family reads aloud at certain anniversaries. unread: nearly the entire right side. the apothecary looked at the commentary once, declined to translate, and recommended a chronicler who has not yet arrived.

one volume of the wreathus is missing. the family suspects the grandfather lent it to a friend whose name has also disappeared from the records. the slot in the shelf is kept open, in the way that a place is kept at a table.

field note · on a card in the day-book a book in another language is not a closed door. it is a door whose key has been left in another house. one keeps the door, out of respect for the key.