Backlund, Cherwood Borough, 26 Kinster Street.
Benson had just returned home. He took off his hat and coat, handed them to Sarah, the maid they employed, then looked toward his sister Melissa, who was absorbed in writing and sketching in the living room.
"Melissa, it's your birthday today. You need to learn to take a break now and then."
Melissa did not look up. She kept reading and calculating as she replied, "That's why I gave myself an entire encyclopedia of materials as a present... I'm going to master it tonight."
Since becoming a Savant, Melissa's ability to learn and remember had improved dramatically. Working her way through a book in one evening was nothing out of the ordinary.
"Melissa, you're getting funnier by the day... That's good, but a joke is a joke. You can't seriously mean it... Oh, and look what I bought you!" Benson said with a smile.
He did not think Melissa was stating a fact. He assumed she was sulking because she had not had a birthday party.
Still, Benson thought this was a more normal side of Melissa. In the past, she had always been so considerate that it hurt to see.
Melissa easily guessed what her brother was thinking and let out a discreet sigh. Then she stopped studying.
She knew her memory had begun to surpass that of an ordinary person, and she did not want to frighten her brother.
Besides, Melissa really was a little excited about Benson's gift.
She gave her brother what looked like a casual glance and asked, "Is working for the government that easy? You're home awfully early."
"No, but it's my dearest sister's birthday, so of course I took leave... Besides, the first repayment on the Film Company's government loan has come in, and things have