We went on in this fashion, with Medora offering short declarative sentences in response to my continued questions. While it was hardly scintillating conversation, it did serve its intended purpose, which was to keep her in contact with reality. By the time Justine arrived, fifteen minutes later, Medora was more alert and in control of herself.

Justine shed her coat and tossed it on the back of a chair. "Sorry it took so long, but I was waiting for Cornell. I. finally called my next-door neighbor and she came over to watch the girls."

Medora had focused on Justine with an air of humility and embarrassment. "I didn't tell her to call you. I wouldn't do that."

Justine sat down beside her mother and took her hand. "How many times have we been through this, Mother? You can't keep doing this. I have a life of my own."

"All I had was one drink and a pain pill."

"I'm sure you did. How many?"

"The usual."

"Never mind. Just skip it. I shouldn't waste my breath. Are you all right?"

"I'm fine. You didn't have to leave the girls and come over."

"She says the doors were wide open. What was that about?"

"I closed them. I did. I remembered what you said."

"Let's just get you into bed. We can talk about this later when you're more yourself."

"I'm myself," she said blearily, as Justine assisted her to her feet. Medora was a bit tottery.

"You need help?"

Justine shook her head, intent on maneuvering her mother around the sharp-cornered coffee table, across the room, and into the short hallway that led to her bedroom. I could hear the two of them murmuring, Medora apologizing while Justine went about the business of getting her to bed.

Five minutes later, Justine returned, rubbing her arms reflexively. "I swear she's getting worse. I don't know what to do with her. Geez, the place is freezing."

"It's warmer than it was."

She went over to the thermostat. "It's turned off. What's she doing, trying to save money on the heating bill? No wonder she gets sick. She had pneumonia two months ago." She adjusted the lever and within seconds, I could hear the furnace click on.

She sat down on the couch with a sigh that was laden with irritation. "I can't tell you how many times I've talked to her about this. She takes out the garbage or goes to pick up the newspaper from the drive and then she either locks herself out or forgets to latch the door again.

On a windy night like this, the doors bang and blow open. She never even knows."

"I'm not sure that's what happened here, but it's giving me the creeps. Could you take a look around and make sure nothing's missing? Suppose someone's been here."

"Why would anybody bother? There's nothing worth stealing."