I was showing visitors the yard at Harvard. We entered the quadrangle and spotted the bronze statue of John Harvard with the shiny shoe. Undergraduates are reported to rub the left shoe for luck on exams. I am told the shoe is not as shiny today as in the past. The grass was green and spring was in the air. Unfortunately so was rain.

A picture was taken and we left to look for a place to duck in out of the rain. We spotted the Harvard Bookstore and popped in. It was immediately obvious that many others had the same idea. I entered the used book section as there was less chance that I would find something I felt I needed to buy there.

My guests busied themselves in the map and travel section. After a look at the used books I found a chair near the door. It was a great spot to people watch.

In walked an older lady with a large brimmed hat whose edge was turned down -- mutton trying to look like lamb and doing a passable job at it. A large string of costume pearls were draped around her neck that set off a blue silk dress. She had the look of a woman who was on a mission.

I judged she was not like me, popping in out of the rain. One of the clerks asked her if he could help her. "Do you have any of John Whylie's books?" was the reply. He went over to the computer and soon obtained the knowledge that they had two of his books in stock. A young bubbly clerk was sent to fetch a copy of his latest book.

The young clerk returned with the book and a broad radiant smile of success. A conversation ensued concerning if they also had a paper back copy as the hard copy was a bit more then she was prepared to pay.

Just then an older, very refined white haired gentlemen, entered the store. He spotted the hat and walked over. "Oh John, I was just looking at your latest book." "Don't buy it here as I have several copies at home and would be glad to send you one."

He then addressed the clerk. "Young lady, what is your name?" "Anna" was the response. Out came the pen and soon an inscription was written, "To Anna, signed John W. Whylie."

He handed the book back to Anna, and he left the store with the lady and the broad brimmed hat in tow. By now Anna had lost her radiant smile and took the book to show her supervisor. Anna was not into the history of 18th century France.