“You always take these little household changes to such extremes, Eleanor,” Martha said softly toward the window.

“Your sister is only trying to help Julian keep his business records safe.”

Arthur let the newspaper fall onto the wooden table with a dull thud.

“We’re not spending Thanksgiving morning listening to quiet griping,” Arthur said, his voice rising over the noise of Martha’s spoon.

“Julian pays six hundred dollars a month for his office rental in town right now.

Moving his operation here saves the family seven thousand dollars a year.”