How was I to know, eh?

Went to the local library to get some light reading. came back with Kate Atkinson’s Case Histories. As I left I noticed a brown parcel lying on the floor at the entrance, slightly torn and showing a book inside. I assumed it had been dropped in for return or something. If I’d looked at the neatly printed label on what turned out to be a brown envelope wrapped round a book, I would have read ‘Doorstop – Please don’t Remove’.

But I didn’t, did I? Like the responsible adult I claim to be I took it to the issue desk. And the librarian looked at me with what I am convinced was a hint of pity, and said, with thinly disguised courtesy, – ‘Aye juist put it back where ye goat it. Thanks’.

Well?    How was I to know?    I don’t go around nosing into other people’s parcels, especially books in plain brown paper bags………I wonder how many times in a week some well meaning wee nyaff comes in to put the world right by handing in what, to all appearances, is a fugitive book??