come in very handy for the children and herself and the household.

Hannah thought the whole plan nonsense. “I can’t see that you’re pinched, exactly. You may have to think a minute before you buy fresh strawberries for a meringue in February. But you do buy them.” She was remembering her own lean days, when February strawberries would have been as unattainable as though she had dwelt on a desert island.

On the day of the mirror accident in Peacock Alley, Hannah was meeting Marcia downtown for the purpose of helping her select spring outfits for the children. Later, Marcia explained, there would be no time. Her class met every morning except Saturday. Hannah tried to deny the little pang of terror at the prospect of new responsibility that this latest move of