Timothy waited patiently for the young woman to say what she had come to say. He smiled as she said she was fond of her job and appreciated it. Well, he would hope so. Who wouldn't enjoy being a librarian in such a wonderful library?
Ah. Timothy was a man of science but even so, he was not wholly comfortable talking of women in the context of them giving birth. He was also not a stupid man but even so. The now Mrs. Kirke had proven herself time and again to him. Society would likely already say what they would of her, whisper behind their hands about the timing of elopement and the childs arrival.
No. He would not contribute to that. Instead, his concerns lay elsewhere.
"Congratulations, Mrs. Kirke. Many blessings to your small family," he said as he set down his pen and clasped his hands together. "Being a librarian can be very physical and requires a lot of bending, reaching up, and so on. As you have experienced by now, I'm sure. I cannot, in good conscience, keep you in employment while you are carrying the baby." For both her health and the wee ones. Had he been aware, he might have sent her on her sabbatical months ago.
"However, once you have brought the child into the world and adequately recovered, your position will be waiting for you. All you need worry about is staying well and returning to us in the new year." He made sure to note down while it was fresh in his mind that a position should be held for Mrs. Kirke. He was a man of his word, after all.
Ah. Timothy was a man of science but even so, he was not wholly comfortable talking of women in the context of them giving birth. He was also not a stupid man but even so. The now Mrs. Kirke had proven herself time and again to him. Society would likely already say what they would of her, whisper behind their hands about the timing of elopement and the childs arrival.
No. He would not contribute to that. Instead, his concerns lay elsewhere.
"Congratulations, Mrs. Kirke. Many blessings to your small family," he said as he set down his pen and clasped his hands together. "Being a librarian can be very physical and requires a lot of bending, reaching up, and so on. As you have experienced by now, I'm sure. I cannot, in good conscience, keep you in employment while you are carrying the baby." For both her health and the wee ones. Had he been aware, he might have sent her on her sabbatical months ago.
"However, once you have brought the child into the world and adequately recovered, your position will be waiting for you. All you need worry about is staying well and returning to us in the new year." He made sure to note down while it was fresh in his mind that a position should be held for Mrs. Kirke. He was a man of his word, after all.