The Pains of a Father's Heart

"You see my daughter…is a bit…difficult to deal with." Lord Herrington spoke slowly, choosing his words very carefully. He didn't want to scare off this young man, he had barely managed to find him. This was the first response he had had in a very long time. By now, most people had heard about Darby and no one was willing to even get near her, no matter how much he offered them. Lord Herrington really wanted this one to work out, so even though he wanted to be as truthful as possible, he also didn't want to frighten Jack away. Lord Herrington continued with great caution.

"I want to keep my daughter as safe as possible, that is all I want, but she wants to be as independent as possible, but as her father, that is incredibly difficult and nerve-wracking. I'm sure you will understand, I am just worried about her." Lord Herrington stared at Jack beggingly, as if saying 'please say you understand.' Jack nodded much to the relief of Lord Herrington.

"Anyway," Lord Herrington continued, "As much as I plead with my daughter, she insists that she doesn't need me helping her out or keeping an eye on her…but she always seems to be involved in some type of trouble, one way or another…And as her father, this is very hard for me to witness. Even if I can't help her with anything, I would at least like her to tell me what is going on or what she's been up to, but she refuses to even do that! It really just breaks my heart!" Lord Herrington looked especially distressed, a prime picture of a worried father caring for his child. "I have sent people to help her or check in on her and tell me what she has been up to, but as soon as she finds out I sent them she gets extremely upset and sends them away! And then she gets angry with me for not letting her be independent!" Lord Herrington sighed dramatically "It has all been very hard." He rested his head in hand as if just thinking about it was giving him a headache.

"I have always let her choose what she would like to do with her life. I know it's not very traditional, but I have indulged and spoiled her to do whatever she likes in spite of what society might say about it.. And I do trust her! I do! But she has just finished her degree and will be going abroad for some time and she won't allow me to join her and I just want to know she isn't alone and that someone is keeping an eye on her for me and that she is safe." Lord Herrington turned and looked at Jack as if he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. "I'm not asking for too much am I?" He asked with a downtrodden and downcast face. Jack felt sorry for Lord Herrington, he was so concerned and worried for his daughter and he looked like the stress was wearing him down. Jack shook his head encouragingly.

"No, Lord Herrington, as her father, you would naturally be worried about your daughter's safety while she was away from home, this must all be very stressful for you." Lord Herrington nodded and sighed and said

"Yes, it has been." And then he turned and gazed out his study window with a far-away look in his eye, as if he was gathering the strength he needed to continue. "But besides all this, it seems like wherever my daughter is, there is trouble, sometimes I am not so sure if the trouble is following her or if she is following the trouble..She has knack for getting into these dangerous types of situations and especially when she is away from home, I need to know that she is safe, and that someone could help her if she needs it. But! It is very important not to approach her, unless it is absolutely necessary! Watching her is just fine. And while you are traveling you can write me letters and let me know how she is doing and if you ever are near a telephone booth you could always call me to let me know how she is doing on her first expedition." Lord Herrington sighed yet again, "Oh I wish she would let me go to see it." He said very melancholy. "I know this all must sound very strange to you, but it is all out of pure desperation!" Jack tried to cheer up the obviously worn out man,

"No, Lord Herrington, it doesn't sound strange at all. You are a very caring father, to do this for your daughter's safety." Lord Herrington's eyes lit up,

"Thank you Mr Clemins! It is so hard to find people who understand. I like you, you seem very trustworthy! And a great judge of character!" Lord Herrington chuckled happily and continued "Of course, Mr Clemins, if you do take the job all your expenses will be paid, traveling expenses, food…hospital..Should you need it, of course.." Lord Herrington muttered the last one quietly as his eyes darted around nervously. "Ahem! All that plus you will receive a salary of…100 pounds". Jack's eyes bulged at the amount. That would be double what he made at other jobs in a year, but Lord Herrington hadn't finished speaking. He added "A week." Jack choked on hearing the amount and started having a coughing fit in shock.

"A week?!!" Asked Jack with a strangled voice. Lord Herrington looked confused and said,

"Why? Is that not enough? It is negotiable."

"N-no, no!" Sputtered out Jack, "That is enough! That is more than enough!" Lord Herrington looked hesitant and said

"Well, let me know if that ever changes. I am more than willing to pay you whatever amount you like. If you are able to keep up with my daughter, I will give you half of my fortune right now!" Lord Herrington laughed and Jack chuckled as well. Jack didn't realize that Lord Herrington meant exactly what he had said.

"Anyway" Lord Herrington went on. "I could help you get a job at the museum where she works. That shouldn't be hard. I donate to that museum and many of my findings and inventions are on display there. That way you will be able to blend in. After that, you would follow her on her upcoming trip. The museum has a large expedition coming up and could join and write me or, if you are ever near a telephone, you could call if you have a chance and let me know if she is doing alright." Lord Herrington curled the end of his mustache thoughtfully as he said "Well, I believe that covers it!"

"Oh," Jack added quickly "You never mentioned what it is your daughter does?" Lord Herrington said.

"Oh yes, that's right. My daughter, Darby, is an archeologist." Jack was a little surprised to hear such an unusual occupation, he commented,

"Oh, that is very interesting!" Lord Herrington smiled with a certain sparkle in his eyes. He said,

"Yes, it is, isn't it?" Lord Herrington rose from his seat and said "Well Mr Clemins, I will take care of the museum part, you could do a little research and try to be ready. You could even catch a glimpse of her at a cafe she frequents, just so you become familiar with her face…But..uh.. Don't approach her or get too close. She won't be hard to spot, she has short, curly blonde hair and big blue eyes. He held up his own hands to his eyes to demonstrate how large her eyes were. "And she will most likely be reading, just take a quick look and then go home and prepare for the job. Assuming you want the job, Mr Clemins?..." Jack stood up eagerly from his own seat and said

"Oh yes sir! Thank you very much!" The two men reached out and shook hands. Lord Herrington gripped Jack's hand strongly as he shook it and said

"No! Not at all! Thank you Mr Clemins! I can't tell you how much this means to me! You are doing me a great favor!" Jack nodded as if he understood and said

"Very well Sir, I am sure there won't be any problems.". Lord Herrington's eyes darted back and forth as he laughed nervously and said

"Haha, yes, that would be nice.."