figure of Lincoln, there in the park, facing the Drive. Kindly, thoughtful, harried.

They moved in October first.

The over-stuffed furniture of the four-room apartment was sold. Cora kept a few of her own things — a rug or two, some china, silver, bric-�-brac, lamps. Queen Louise was now permanently dethroned. Cora said her own things — ”pieces” — would spoil the effect of the living room. All Italian.

“No wonder the Italians sit outdoors all the time, on the steps and in the street” — more of Ray’s dull humour. He surveyed the heavy gloomy pieces, so out of place in the tiny room. One of the chairs was black velvet. It was the only really comfortable chair in the room but Ray never sat in it.