The mask sliding on.

The pageant chin coming up.

What actually happened was that she looked at me for about four seconds and then looked at the comb in her hand and set it down on the vanity very carefully, like a woman putting down a weapon she’d forgotten she was holding.

“Mother,” she said, without turning around, “I’m going to step out a minute.”

“All right, honey,” said Lorraine.

We went to the courtyard.