WHEN THE OWNER OF THE DEPARTMENT STORE CAME UP the stairs to the mezzanine, on his way to his office behind the switchboard, he gave the switchboard operator a terse little nod. He knew how she perceived him: a short man, very erect, beautifully dressed in his well-pressed suit; his white hair circled his head like frosting on the sides of a cake. His own daughter—who loved him—had described him that way.
“Pretty quiet, tonight, isn’t it, Miss Silver?” he asked. He said it with grim regret. The protests cut into everybody’s business.
“Yes, sir,” she answered.
“What do you think of these demonstrations. You all out at the college?”
“I just hope nobody gets hurt,” Miss Silver said.
“Medieval universities were surrounded by high walls,” he said. “The walls were topped with broken glass to keep the world out and the students in.”
Stella stared at him incredulously. How could she come to work for him if she were cloistered in the college?
“You all are students,” he went on, “and should bear in mind that now is your opportunity. Your obligation is to devote yourselves to your education.”
With a quick, definitive nod, he affirmed his own word and disappeared into his office. He closed the door behind him. Inside his office, he hiked up a leg of his expensive navy blue trousers. He placed one hand on his desk to steady himself and knelt. Fielding was pushing sixty, but he had no trouble kneeling. He’d kept in practice, in private, all his life.
Precious Lord Jesus, he prayed. Let this cup of integration pass from us, if it be thy will. Still, thy will be done. And give us strength to face what we must face with a loving spirit. Give them patience, Lord, and give it also to us. He pressed his chest with his spread hand. Keep us safe from harm, on both sides. In Jesus’ name, amen.
He imagined a high stone wall studded with glass and crooked nails. Would something like that be enough? He imagined the university boys of Europe and England leaning ladders against the walls, padding the top with thick, coarse horse blankets. He had heard that the Negro children had jumped out windows, on the first floors, to join the demonstrations.