“You have a reputation, Esme, as a natural scholar. According to Dr. Murray you are the equal of any Oxford graduate. He is particularly fond of telling the story of you camping all day beneath the sorting table. He claims his lenience has allowed the development of a particular affinity for words.” Horror turned to gratitude, and the heat stayed in my face. “He would not approve of me telling you this, of course,” said Beth. “Praise dulls the intellect, in his opinion.”
