A Matter of Some Importance

In the village of Assumption, there was an important job to be done. The old town bell, which chimed on the hour to keep the community in rhythm, had fallen silent. Its great iron tongue now hung still, and a profound quiet had settled over the squares and lanes. Everybody noticed the unsettling silence. Standing in the market, they nodded to one another, saying, “That simply won’t do. Somebody really ought to see to the bell.” Everybody was quite sure that Somebody would do it. After all, Somebody was often praised for being reliable in a crisis.

Now, Anybody could have done it. Anybody had, at various times, climbed a ladder, fetched a tool, or fixed a loose hinge. The task was not, in truth, a mystery. Yet, because Everybody had so confidently assumed Somebody’s involvement, Anybody felt...