“Yes,” Kat whispers.

And I squeeze her hand as tears prick. The morning’s failed visit isn’t a complete loss. Kat has spoken another word.

• • •

When I don’t see or hear from Libby over the next few days, I decide to summon a bit of courage and drop a note through the Reynoldses’ mail slot inviting Libby and Timmy over for lunch the following day. I am gratified when the maid from across the street comes by a few hours later and hands me Libby’s reply that they would be happy to come.

Kat and I spend the better part of the afternoon making the back garden patio as beautiful as we can, pulling weeds, planting new bedding flowers, and polishing the scrolled iron chairs and table so that the garden is as pretty as a peek of paradise. We come into the house for refreshment and to clean up, and while we are having a drink the doorbell rings. Standing on the mat is Mrs. Lewis from the boardinghouse with a package in her hand and a half smile on her lips.

“Oh my! Mrs. Lewis!” I say. “Please, do come in.”

She steps inside, warily it seems, as if weighing the decision to come to the house in the first place.

“How good of you to drop by,” I continue. “May I take your hat and coat? Can you stay for tea?”

“No, thank you. I can only stay a minute,” Mrs. Lewis says. “I’ve come with some hair ribbons that belong to Katharine. They’ve been at my place all this time. I’ve been meaning to return them to you.”

She hands the package to me.

I fumble for a response. She came all this way to return a few hair ribbons?

“I’m so sorry for your trouble,” I say. “That was so very good of you.”

“Yes, well, I suppose I could’ve sent them by post, but I did want to see how you and the child were getting on.”

“I’m so happy you’ve come,” I tell her. And I am. There was a time not so long ago when I wanted her address so that I could see her.

Kat now wanders into the foyer to see who is at the door. She regards Mrs. Lewis with what seems half longing and half hesitation, as though she is afraid to let on that she is glad to see her.

Mrs. Lewis smiles at the child. “Hello, Miss Katharine.”

Kat leans shyly into my hip.

“Mrs. Lewis has come to say hello to us,” I say. “And bring you your hair ribbons that were accidentally left at her house. Isn’t that nice, love?”

Kat nods slowly, never taking her eyes off Mrs. Lewis.

“Won’t you sit down, Mrs. Lewis?” I ask.

“Only for a moment.”

I show her into the sitting room and again I ask if she wants tea or coffee and again Mrs. Lewis declines. A bit of awkward silence follows, and I sense that Mrs. Lewis, who is looking from me to Kat and back again, wishes to speak to me alone.