Charles was oblivious to anything else said at the breakfast table while he finished eating. He wasn't even hungry anymore, in truth, being too excited to want to eat much. He let his mind wander to his hypothetical visit with Piper. He'd share some poems with him, his own and those of Shakespeare, they would talk about anything and everything that sprang to mind. Neither one of them would worry about being foolish in front of the other. Charles wondered then if Piper could read. He very much wanted to send him a letter to let him know how soon he would be able to visit. It would be all for naught if the young man was illiterate. He wouldn't want Mr. Fisher to have to read it to him, because then he couldn't add anything terribly personal or sentimental that was meant for Piper's eyes only.

A few minutes later he excused himself from the table and met his father in the study.

"Were you ready to discuss the particulars, Father?" he asked, taking a seat.