Wallace Barrow had mentioned at the previous meeting that Neil would be receiving instructions from the Town Accountant: a number of members of the committee would, in future, be required to sign. Here they all were, and Wheel announced they were ready to sign. The papers were passed around. All signed. Carla Spagnoli instructed Captain Cunningham, "Put a line down that column so that no-one can add to it." The Captain said, "It's not in my job description."

What job? What had Neil missed?

Barrow asked Neil if he had any new business. Neil deferred, due to the financial crisis, but mentioned his wish to attend the upcoming Massachusetts Museums Association conference. Neil told them he'd been asked to come to receive, on behalf of The Museum of the Year 1912, a PR award. Wheel scoffed aloud at the idea. "Imagine a bunch of curators gathering at a conference," he bellows. "Ha ha! What would they talk about?"

"Of the many museums in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, big and small, we've been chosen to receive this year's award for 'Best Public Relations campaign'."

"That's a feather in our cap," Carla Spagnoli said.

"Yes it is."

"You will go to receive this award?" Spagnoli asked scornfully.

"Yes."

"So it's a feather in your cap," Carla scowled.

"Is that not okay?"

"It is not for me to say," Spagnoli said, sniffing the air.

Wallace Barrow said, "Well, it is important we stay in the background. Still, it is we who provide you, Neil, with the museum in which you receive these awards."

"It's an honor for all," Neil said. "Let's just accept it."

No further discussion. Neil was dismissed. As he went out, he could hear loose-lipped Carla Spagnoli recalling the good old days at the Museum when you couldn't even talk -- you had to whisper -- or else.

The next day, Wheel Barrow came in wearing his black mortician's overcoat and said, "Neil, do you know when to keep quiet and when to speak?"

"In terms of what?" he answered cautiously.

"Just: do you know when to keep quiet and when to speak?" he repeated.

"I know to speak my mind if need be, and I know to shut up, if need be."

Barrow gestured Neil over to the couch by the fireplace. As he sat down, he pulled from his coat's inner pocket a copy of the Association's papers of Incorporation. He pointed out a clause stating, "So long as said corporation shall allow the inhabitants of the town of Camperdene free access to The Museum of the Year 1912 at reasonable hours, for the purpose of using the same on the premises, said town may appropriate money for the purpose of defraying the expenses of maintaining said museum."

"Do you know when to keep quiet and when to speak?" Barrow repeated. "Not that I know anything," he said." You're the curator."