Advice

At noon, Nancy saw Wilbur again, earlier than she had expected, and in a more peculiar way than she had imagined.

Phillips Library is the largest library in Arkham.

Even so, there are still times when the vast collection cannot meet the professors' needs.

As professors at Miskatonic University, one of the privileges these people enjoyed was the ability to write down books they wanted to read but which were not available in the library.

The library makes purchases periodically to replenish missing books.

After resting for half a morning, Nancy was asked by Professor Armitage to deliver the books that Associate Professor Larry Miller of the History Department had subscribed to.

It wasn't far, so Nancy chose to walk.

Professor Larry Miller is in his thirties, which is still considered young for a professor.

And judging from his appearance, he does indeed look very young.

He had long, golden hair, wore narrow-rimmed glasses, and was somewhat short, but his thin frame made him appear taller than he actually was. He never smiled.

For a young person, he was too serious and often assigned students rather heavy homework, but his upright character meant that the students didn't dislike him.

The rumored blood relationship between Professor Larry Miller and the distinguished Mr. Carl Miller has made him the subject of much curiosity and gossip.

Wilbur ran into Nancy, who was delivering books, as he got out of Professor Larry's car.

"Oh!" Wilbur saw Nancy and grinned rudely. "Looks like I'm in luck."

Professor Larry got out of the car from the other side. He also saw Nancy, but unlike Wilbur, his reaction was completely different; his already serious face seemed to show some displeasure.

Nancy didn't know what she had done to displease Professor Larry.

She gave Wilbur a reserved nod.

She walked up to Professor Larry first and handed him the book.

"Thank you," Professor Larry said.

As he took the book, he glanced at Wilbur, then suddenly said something that sounded a bit odd to Nancy: "As a student, you need to learn to keep your distance from irrelevant people outside of school."

Professor Larry didn't muffle his voice, and Wilbur was only a few meters away from them, heard his words without any effort.

Professor Larry's reference to "idle people outside the university" was clearly referring to him.

Nancy was momentarily at a loss for words.

Professor Larry cleared his throat, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Could you come with me? I've finished reading the book I borrowed last time; could you please return it on your way?"

Nancy had no reason to refuse, although she vaguely remembered that Professor Larry had last borrowed books just two days ago.

Professor Larry walked in front, Nancy followed half a step behind, and Wilbur followed them.

"No, I didn't invite you." Professor Larry suddenly turned around. "Wilbur, I didn't invite you."

Wilbur shrugged nonchalantly. "Why would you think I'm following you, Larry? I'm just going that way."

"On the way?" Professor Larry paused. "Where are you going?"

"Why should I tell you?" Wilbur replied curtly.

"I'm only asking if you're going to the history department's teaching building."

"No," Wilbur said.

"That's good."

Professor Larry led Nancy into the teaching building, leaving Wilbur outside.

After they rounded a corner and Wilbur was out of sight, Nancy finally spoke up, asking, "You don't seem to like Wilbur."

"Obviously," Professor Larry replied.

"But you clearly gave him a ride and took him to campus; I thought you and he were friends."

"With him?"

Professor Larry finally smiled, but unfortunately, he used the smile to express sarcasm, "No, I only let him ride in my car because someone asked me to, but I don't like him and I don't think we'll become friends."

The two entered Professor Larry's office.

Professor Larry found the book he needed to return, a massive volume that was half a finger thick.

"Thank you for your hard work," Professor Larry said.

Nancy had just received the book and was about to leave when Professor Larry called her back.

He pulled the curtains open a little, and through the gap, they could see Wilbur waiting outside.

"Who do you think he's waiting for?" Professor Larry asked.

"I don't know," Nancy said.

But she had some guesses in her mind, and was secretly delighted by them.

"I feel like he's waiting for you," Professor Larry said bluntly.

He glanced at Nancy: "On the way here, Wilbur mentioned you to me. He had an interesting assessment of you; he said you were the most humane person at Miskatonic University."

Nancy couldn't help but smile—she thought Wilbur's assessment of her was correct.

She quickly regained her composure, noticing that Professor Larry was frowning at her smile.

"The person who brought Wilbur here is one of my cousins," Professor Larry said. "As for my cousin, he's not a good person, in my memory. He's divorced because he beat his wife so badly she ended up in the hospital. And this Wilbur, I don't know him, but his words are enough to disgust me."

Nancy stood there, saying nothing.

Professor Larry waited a few more seconds, then finally nodded. "You can go back now."

Nancy went out carrying a thick history book.

Wilbur was still standing outside when he saw Nancy come out and greeted her.

Nancy responded with a polite smile, but deliberately ignored him and quickly walked away.

Wilbur caught up with her; he was tall and took long strides, catching up with Nancy in a few steps. "What have you decided?"

Nancy ignored him.

"Does this count as tacit agreement?"

"What's the default?" Nancy asked him.

Send me to Bay State University.

"You can go by yourself, or you can ask someone else to take you. Your friend is a good one."

"No, no, I don't want to ride in the same car as him, it would make me feel sick. Besides, we're going to climb Sentinel Hill after we get back from college."

Nancy ignored him and quickened her pace.

Wilbur was about to say something when a window by the road suddenly opened, and Professor Larry poked his head out. "Wilbur, we need to talk."

"Oh, I really don't want to talk to you," Wilbur said.

But Wilbur walked over when Professor Larry picked up a revolver.

"Damn it, that's my gun," Wilbur said.

Nancy smiled gratefully at Professor Larry.

Professor Larry successfully stopped Wilbur, Nancy returned safely to the Phillips Library.

But when Nancy was delivering a letter to Professor Armitage, she saw Wilbur standing outside the library.

His location was on the street behind the library, so he wasn't chased away by Mr. John.

Nancy walked over.

"What are you trying to say?" Wilbur asked.

Nancy did not respond.

Wilbur nodded. "Then let's go. Let's go now, and we can be back before tomorrow."

He showed what he was holding: several wrapped loaves of bread. "I bought them at the school cafeteria. They taste pretty good; they can be used for lunch and dinner."

Nancy continued to look at him without responding.

"Remember to ask Professor Armitage for leave," Wilbur said. "I don't want him coming to see me."