Last week, Mr. Rothschild covered the prehistory of money -- the development of grain-money and cattle-money, the emergence of obsidian as a precious metal around 12,500 B.C., until it was replaced by copper and silver in the third millennium B.C, and the introduction of coinage. All of this was illustrated with pictures of objects used as money.
Today, Mr. Rothschild speaks of Sumerian civilization and the propensity of denizens therein to deposit valuables at the temple in return for a receipt. The gods, so the Sumerians believed, would protect their valuables; a reasonable proposition unless the gods decide to zap you.
Meanwhile, Molly has her first Italian class, which is held in one of the seminar rooms on the second floor of the Main hall. It's a small class; some music students and there is a smattering of others.
The door bangs open and in strides Mr. Manzoni. He slams down his books and addresses the class. "Il mio nome è il signor Manzoni e d'ora in poi le uniche parole che parlerà sarà italiano. Mi hai capito?"
Dead silence. The students stare at Mr. Manzoni blankly. Irritated, he scans a sheet of paper, then bellows: "Signorina Bloom!"
Dead silence.
"Bloom!"
Suddenly, Molly realizes that Mr. Manzoni is calling on her. She raises her hand. "Here!"
Mr. Manzoni explodes. "No! No! No! No! No! No! No!" (Molly understands that part.) "In Italiano!"
Molly stares at him uncomprehendingly.
Manzoni looks like he will explode. Lurching to the whiteboard, he writes "Il mio nome è Molly Bloom", underlining it several times. "Dire che! Dire che!", he says, jumping up and down and pointing to the phrase.
Molly continues to stare at him.
Meanwhile, in Literature Workshop, Megan reads aloud from the draft of her novel:
Charlotte sprawled on her bed in her evening gown for some time. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. She ran to the door and opened it, expecting to see Cassandra. It was Rex, the Stevens' rough-looking but handsome groom. He pushed his way into the room.
"Good evening Miss Charlotte."
"G-g-good evening, sir."
"Have you behaved yourself today?"
"N-no, sir."
"Then I shall have to spank your large pale bottom."
"Y-yes, sir."
Again, there is a knock. Charlotte opens the door; it is Bentley, the Stevens' rough-looking but handsome butler. "Good evening, Miss Charlotte, I hope I have not disturbed you. Lady Margaret wishes to speak with you in the Library."
"Lady Margaret? What ever for?"
"She did not indicate the purpose of her query, but asked me to convey to you the urgency of your attendance."
Miss Joyce interrupts. "Thank you, Megan. I'm sure we're all looking forward to hearing more next week."
At lunch, Roderick shared with Megan and Molly his fascinating discoveries about the Sumerian banking system. Megan hung on every word, but Molly felt distracted.
