The House in the Cerulean Sea

In his second case report to Extremely Upper Management, Linus describes how he’s learned about the “strange yet definitive order” that guides life at the orphanage. He details how Ms. Chapelwhite cares for the children and collaborates with Mr. Parnassus. He goes on to note that he’s come to see Lucy as a well-spoken and intelligent boy who likes scaring people and that that Sal seems to be starting to trust him. He also notes that Theodore’s hoard is not concerning, if only because it’s filled mostly with buttons. In fact, Linus writes, his only concern is that the children are so isolated and that the villagers are so bigoted. He muses about a day trip to the village and about how strange “Arthur” still is—though he’s great with the children.

On Tuesday afternoon, Calliope races out of the guest house with one of Linus’s ties (which he’s stopped wearing, since nobody is here to watch him) and runs into the garden. Linus pursues her, annoyed that he has to run. He catches up to her in a part of the garden he’s never been in and finds her sitting in front of a locked cellar door with burn marks on it. Figuring it’s locked for the children’s safety, Linus reasons it’s a coal cellar. He takes his tie back from Calliope. He decides to ask Arthur about the cellar later, but the opportunity never comes. Linus is annoyed: he’s not supposed to be annoyed that he can’t catch a private moment with Arthur, and yet he is. He likes Arthur, even though a caseworker being friends with a master is against the rules.

Linus spends his days with the children, learning about their interests. One afternoon, Chauncey shows him a thick tome titled The History of Bellhops Through the Ages, which he’s read almost five times. Chauncey explains he wants to help people and that his being different doesn’t mean he isn’t helpful. Theodore shows Linus treasures from his nest. Linus asks each child if they’re happy or frightened. Most kids he’s asked this to have clearly been coached in their answers, but these kids answer honestly—they’re happy here, they adore Arthur, and they’d like to see more of the world. 

One Thursday evening, Sal knocks on the guest house door. Linus suspects that Arthur must be in the garden nearby, watching. They make small talk about Calliope—Sal says he likes her, and Linus answers that Calliope likes Sal because he’s a good person. Then, Sal invites Linus to see his room. Linus confirms that this is what Sal wants and then follows him and Calliope to the big house. Before they enter Sal’s room, Linus again assures Sal that they don’t have to do this. Sal notes that Linus does, in fact, need to look at his room and “judge.” He then asks if Linus is going to “make [him] leave.” Not wanting to lie, Linus says he doesn’t want to force Sal to do anything. Sal observes that Linus isn’t like other caseworkers.

Finally, Sal allows Linus to open the bedroom door. Unlike the other rooms that are filled with personal effects, there’s just a single pile of novels in the corner. It’s otherwise bare. Linus compliments the view from the window and asks to peek in the closet. Inside is a desk with a typewriter on it. Sal looks lost and frightened as he explains that he writes, but he isn’t good at it. Linus praises what Sal read in class last week, and Sal reveals that he’s only been writing since arriving at Marsyas. Arthur, Sal says, asked him for a month what Sal wanted, and Sal asked to never have to move and then for the typewriter. The other kids cleaned the desk and helped get it in the closet.

Linus asks why the desk is in the closet—Sal has such a great view. Sal explains that being in the small space “helped [him] feel small” because he “wasn’t ready to be bigger yet.” Linus suggests he might be ready now. The conversation turns to Linus’s “investigation” of Arthur, which Sal overheard the adults talking about. Inwardly cursing, Linus tries to explain that he’s just trying to make sure the orphanage is in good shape, and if it does have to close, he hopes Sal will be allowed to learn and understand why. Linus tries to leave, but before he can, Sal asks for help moving his desk out. Linus agrees immediately. They move it, and then Linus groans dramatically—which makes Sal giggle. Linus then sets up the typewriter and chair for Sal.

Sal asks if Linus heard about the woman. Linus remembers—Sal bit her when she hit him for taking an apple. Shaking, Sal says he didn’t mean to and will never do it again. Even though it’s against the rules, Linus puts a hand on Sal’s shoulder and assures him that he believes him. Sal smiles through his tears.