“Sure. Besides helping families who are struggling, we can help with other things too, like roads, schools, clinics, you name it."


    Diana looked up at Lowell again, still skeptical.


    Lowell smiled. "I''m serious."


    Diana hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Our school here only has one teacher. I heard if they can''t find a new one by next year, the school will have to shut down. The kids will have to go to a school that''s really far away."


    "It''s a two-hour ride on horseback through the mountains. If the weather''s bad, they can''t go at all."


    "If your boss is willing to help, I hope he can find us a teacher."


    Diaz was seven and in elementary school. Diana was very worried about his brother''s future education.


    Before he died, his father had told him, "No matter what, you have to learn to read." His pa said he had a friend who always said that knowledge could change your life.


    He himself never got to go to school because of their circumstances, and he hoped his younger son could use knowledge to build a better future.


    Lowell said, "That''s easy. When I get back, I''ll look into it and arrange for a teacher toe right away."


    Diana hadn''t expected such a quick and confident reply. He looked at Lowell, surprised. "Easy?"


    Lowell told him the truth. "The conditions are tough, so we''ll just offer a high sry. As long as the pay and benefits are good enough, finding a teacher won''t be a problem. Don''t worry, it really is easy. My boss is a good guy, generous, and loaded."


    Diana asked, “Could you build a library, too?”


    Lowell grinned. "Of course. That''s a small thing."


    Diana was speechless.


    Lowell''s smile was genuine, without a hint of bragging. "Trust me. If I say we can do it, we definitely can. And there won''t be any dys. You''ll see progress starting tomorrow."


    A school and a library? Forget Tarquin, he could handle that himself with no trouble.


    Diana watched him for a moment and decided to believe him. "Then, on behalf of all the vigers around here, thank you."


    Lowell gave a heartyugh. "Don''t mention it. For us, this really isn''t a big deal. Do you like to read, too?"


    Diana nodded. “I do, but I never went to school. I can only read the children''s versions."


    Lowell was surprised, but on second thought, it made sense. These mountain folk used to be nomadic herders, so it wasn''t unheard of for children not to attend school.


    He asked, "If you never went to school, who taught you to read?”


    "My pa."


    "Your pa knew how?"


    "Yeah, a friend of his taught him."


    Lowell kept the conversation going trying to get closer to Dianas like to read, What kind of books have


    you read?"


    At the mention of books, Diana''s interest was piqued. He turned down the fire and went back to his bedroom.


    A momentter, he came out carrying a small box, cing it on the floor with great care. It was obvious he cherished it.


    The box was full of books.


    There were children''s editions of ssics like *The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Moby Dick and The Hobbit, as well as One Hundred Years of Solitude* and *The Grapes of Wrath*.


    All in all, there were over a dozen books, all simplified editions for young readers.


    Lowell asked, "Where did you get all these?"


    "I bought them online."


    Lowell looked through them. "You''ve got some great ssics here, but I don''t see


    *The Lord of the Rings*. Not a fan?"


    Diana shook his head and ran back to the bedroom to get another book.


    This one was wrapped in severalyers of old newspaper and cloth. Diana carefully unwrapped it and


    handed the book to Lowell. "We already have it so. didn''t buy


    another one."


    Lowell took it and nced at the cover. The pages were yellowed, giving it a very old feel.


    He checked the publication date and was shocked. It was an early printing of *The Lord of the Rings*—a collector''s edition!


    This version sold for a high price. Back then, an ordinary person could never have afforded it.


    "Where did this booke from?"


    Diana said, "My pa left it to me. His friend gave it to him."


    "Who was his friend?"


    "I don''t know. He signed it inside. Can you see what the name is?"


    Lowell opened the book to look at the signature. The moment he saw it, his expression changedpletely.