bright, so cosy. Over-stuffed velvet in the living room, with silk lampshades, and small tables holding books and magazines and little boxes containing cigarettes or hard candies. Very modern. A gate-legged table in the dining room. Caramel-coloured walnut in the bedroom, rich and dark and smooth. She loved it. An orderly woman. Everything in its place. Before eleven o’clock the little apartment was shining, spotless; cushions plumped, crumbs brushed, vegetables in cold water. The telephone. “Hello!� Oh, hello, Bess! Oh, hours ago � Not a thing � Well, if George is willing � I’ll call him up and ask him. We haven’t seen a show in two weeks. I’ll call you back within the next half hour � No, I haven’t done my marketing yet� . Yes, and have dinner downtown. Meet at seven.