While they set the dinner plates on the counter to serve the main course, Ann too was deep in thought. How different this Seder night was from those of times past. Gone was the bustle of activity in the kitchen, the laughter too, all the females in the family getting in each other’s way, sharing in the preparations and then in the dishing up of food from huge pots and pans. The pan in which Sarah Sandberg had made soup for Seder nights had resembled a cauldron! Ann recalled with a smile.

But those days were gone, along with what the sociologists called the ‘extended family’ – which seemed to Ann a clinical term for the caring and sharing she remembered. Future generations would not experience the simple pleasures that Ann and her children had. Instead – well, even marriage itself was now regarded by some as a dying institution.

‘I miss Marianne,’ she said to Leona.

‘Don’t you miss Kate?’

‘My daughter has lived in Israel for so long, I’m not accustomed to having her with me on Seder nights.’

‘But I’m accustomed to having mine with me. When Carla phoned to tell me that Kate had invited her and Alan to spend the Passover with her, I had to stop myself from saying, “Please don’t go.”’

‘And time was,’ said Ann, ‘when all of us not being together for a Festival would’ve been unthinkable. I’ve just been asking myself what’s happened to Jewish family life—’

‘The same as has happened to Gentile family life, Ann. It’s moved with the century and no longer has time to be what it once was. Which isn’t to say that our family doesn’t still stick together in a crisis—’

‘Since my life is now one big crisis,’ said Ann, ‘I appreciate how often you and Frank drop in.’

Ann was slicing pickled cucumber when Harry called stridently, ‘Are we getting a second course? If not, my nursemaid can put me to bed and Grace can be said without me. I’m not giving thanks to God for a lousy meal I didn’t get!’

‘Your nursemaid is going on strike!’ Ann heard herself retort.

‘About time, too,’ Leona told her. ‘You look dead beat, and who could be surprised.’

‘Would you mind serving up the dinner, Leona? My legs seem to have turned to jelly.’

‘Probably from the shock of what you just said to Harry.’

‘I didn’t mean to—’

‘But Harry hasn’t slumped to the carpet, has he? He’s still sitting in his wheelchair – and enjoying the sympathetic glances that woman is giving him!’ Leona observed through the hatch. ‘You should put your foot down with him more often, Ann, and if he has another stroke it’ll be his fault, not yours.’

‘Could you be that callous with Frank?’