Summary

Sandy finds a house in a small country town and bluffs her way expertly through the interview with the landlords, Walter and Libby Marsh. Walter is a professor of English at the nearby university. Sandy is posing as the recent widow of Professor David Goldman who needs a change of location. Mother and daughter settle into their life in New Hampshire, but when Birdie tries to fall asleep at night or when she awakes in the morning, she often speaks to herself in Elemeno and thinks of the past, trying to remember as much of it as she can.

Sandy feels a pang of sadness whenever she becomes aware of some milestone in Cole’s life that she is missing. This time, it’s Cole getting her first menstrual period. Birdie, not wanting to stay around as Sandy’s mood darkens, takes Mr. Pleasure, one of...