The Impatience of Being Earnest

Patience moved slowly. As always.

Her gait shuffled along the path, as she carefully avoided each small crack and insect, her steps lifting over pillbugs and patches of concrete.

She had a watch but never bothered to look at it. There was always enough time.

As she moved steadily forward a sudden gust of movement swept by, nearly knocking poor Patience onto the street. Clutching her cane, she kept her balance and lost only her hat.

“Oh gosh I’m so sorry! So sorry!” Quick hands picked up the sun bonnet and held it up to her, panting in deep breaths. “I was just in such a hurry, you know - I’m late again.” Earnest dusted a few bits of loose gravel from the brim. “That’s not your fault, though. So very rude of me.” When Patience stared in reply, he shook the hat again to emphasize its existence. “Here you go.”

Gingerly, Patience accepted her hat back. “Thank you for stopping.” She smiled, the old familiar lines creasing in well-worn tradition.

Earnest beamed back, a laserbeam of light-heartedness. “Absolutely! It’s always best to make up for your mistakes - and I should know, I make a mess of them, just a mess!” Tipping his own hat, he gave a wave. “Well, have to dash - again, late, as usual, ha ha, silly me. Please take care and have a lovely day!” With another burst of air, he raced off into the afternoon sun.

Patience watched with a smile. Such a lovely young lad. Glancing down at the hat in her hands, she spied something else on the ground below. With a frown, she clucked, “Oh dear - he’ll be missing these, I’d say.”

Reaching down she picked up two well-worn books, the thickness of which had obviously weighed down Earnest’s hurried pace. The first, labeled Reason, had several pages ripped out as if lost from sheer frustration. The second, labeled Dignity, had dog-earred pages describing such elaborate rules of etiquette even Patience marveled at them.

Hefting each tome in her arms, she glanced up at the dusty avenue along which the young man had run. She had no idea where he’d eventually ended up, nor when he might pass by again. Still, she thought, no sense throwing away good books. They might prove more her speed anyway.

Tucking them under her arm, she continued her trek with a smile.