Samuel smiled, but only for a moment.

Then his eyes found the clock. 8:46 a.m.

They had just over an hour before they needed to leave.

He lifted the coffee to his lips and let the heat settle into him. It should have been a peaceful moment. It was a peaceful moment. But even while he stood there, another thought pressed quietly at the edge of his mind.

Today he had the public talk. The outline was fairly new and he had given it once before. He knew the general idea.

But he had not reviewed his notes. Not really. Not this week.

The thought lingered long enough that he finally lowered the mug and set it on the counter.

He did not want to lose the warmth of the room.

He also did not want to arrive before Jehovah unprepared.