“A day—a few days. Well, we’ll make him comfortable. That’s what I’m in business for—to make these old parties comfortable. No use taking him to the hospital. I’ve got a dozen of them here right now, dying. But they’re comfortable. Nobody can say they aren’t.”

Helen Sears looked broodingly at her large clean square hands. “Geraniums in the rooms,” she said.

“I’ll be back, then, tomorrow.”

But Helen wasn’t listening. She was staring at Annie, looking through her. “Would you believe it?” she whispered. “My own mother is in this place! Ninety. Defecating and rubbing her feces in her hair, biting the nurses…” Her mouth widened; suddenly she shouted with laughter, then clapped her hand over her mouth. “I’m not mad,” she said in a moment. “I suppose you know the story? About my father and brother and the house burning? Well, the old witch can’t hit anybody any more. Where are you living? I might have to call you.”

“I’m at the Murray Hill Hotel, but I’ve got to find a room to stay. I’m going to look tomorrow. You can leave a message. I’ll come up here anyhow sometime tomorrow, and maybe I’ll have a place by then.”

The older woman nodded. “Would you like some coffee?” she asked with surprising kindness.

“No, no thanks. I’d best be going.”

“Are you working, or anything? I always wondered what happened to you. Of course, I didn’t wonder all the time, had too much on my back to think about other people.”

“I’m going to England. I’ve saved a little money.”

“Does he have any money?”

“There used to be some kind of insurance from his father.” “Your grandfather,” Helen interrupted. “Yes. My grandfather. I don’t know exactly how it worked, but he got a check four times a year. I remember that because he was always planning to fix that roof, then when the money came he had to spend it on other things.”

“He must have made something in the way of income from his gardening work.”

“I just don’t know. I’ve been away five years.”

“Yes. And these old ones, they won’t talk about money, will they? Well, he was good to me, especially after my father tried to cremate us. We’ll work it out.” She rose to her feet. “England. I’ve never been anywhere,” she said. “Well, what are you going to do there?”

“I don’t know yet. Get a job.”

“Going to England to get a job…couldn’t you manage something nearer home?”

Helen’s curiosity had shifted perceptibly to reproach.

“I want,” Annie began, trying to keep her eyes on the woman’s face but abashed, looking away, “well, what I want is a place I’ve not been, you know.” Called to account for herself, she instantly shared the suspicion about her reasons she suspected Helen felt. There had been—some time ago—that sudden strong intention. Had she said it to Theda? To Mike Eagle? “I’m going to Europe.” Why had she determined to go anywhere? Helen Sears was smiling faintly.