A moment of angst for the leper.
*When the tutor arrives at the house, Thorn is nowhere in the house. He is in fact, not even on the grounds, as any immediate search will reveal. He knew what time the tutor was coming, and was very excited about it the day before, albeit understandably nervous. His earlier question to the Nexus might have something to do with his absence, but even so, it isn't like him to simply vanish without telling anyone. Thorn tends to let whoever he sees around know when he is going out to the Nexus, or to work for Trixie. He does not show up for lunch, or dinner, and left in the morning without breakfast. Not until dark does he even return to the grounds, where he curls up under a wild bush just beyond the garden without ever coming inside first. He sits with his head wrapped in his arms, not sleeping, nor crying, just sitting numbly. His knees and indeed much of his clothing has mud and grass stains, as if he had been crawling about on the ground. Up until now he has been extremely careful to keep his clothes clean. He sits, trying not to think, too lost in his own mind to notice if anyone approaches.*