“It’s a lovely quiet house for reading in,” she said.

“You want that, at your age.”

“I like it loud,” I said.

Beverly smiled and zipped the little coat up to the chin.

“Say goodbye to Grandma Margaret now.”

“Goodbye, Grandma Margaret,” the little one said, and dropped the blocks into the basket.

The side door banged.

One red mitten stayed on the rug by the fireplace.