Alex looked up as the Headmaster strode across the courtyard, and the handkerchief became a sodden ball in his fist as he scrambled to his feet. A spell revealed a tiny object to be the book his father had given him.
"Yes sir," he managed, reaching to take the slim volume. His hand shook but he took the book, clutching it tightly to his chest to stop the trembling.
A flood of words rushed to his tongue but he pressed his lips together tightly to keep them from pouring out in a rush of absurdity, and glanced down at the book before letting two words out.