Theo of Golden
by Allen Levi
Contents
CHAPTER 18
Overview
James Ponder assigns Anita Gidley two more portrait recipients for Theo, including Theo’s letters to send with the returns. They confirm Theo’s goal of giving back more than ninety portraits and acknowledge how difficult it has been to track down subjects, especially students. Anita remains suspicious, underscoring how unusual Theo’s mission appears even as it advances.
Summary
In James Ponder’s office, three gardenia blossoms scent the room as Anita Gidley stands before Ponder’s desk.
Ponder hands Anita a paper with two more names for Theo, along with letters Theo has written to accompany the portraits. Ponder asks Anita to handle these tasks first.
Anita reacts skeptically, questioning how many portrait returns Theo will actually complete. Ponder insists Theo is committed to returning every portrait to its rightful “owners,” estimating there are more than ninety in total.
Ponder praises Anita for locating addresses, especially for former students. Pleased but still uneasy, Anita explains that some people were difficult to trace, yet Shep’s local knowledge and the internet have helped, even as she continues to find the whole effort strange.
Who Appears
- James PonderTheo’s landlord; directs Anita to contact more portrait recipients and praises her searches.
- Anita Gidley (Mrs. Gidley)Assists in locating portrait subjects; skeptical about Theo’s mission but continues the work.
- TheoOff-page; writes letters and aims to return more than ninety portraits to their owners.
- ShepLocal contact mentioned as helping identify people and find addresses for portrait returns.