"No. She wrote, asking if I wouldn't like to stay with George this winter." "Why?" "I suppose she thinks a mother is a sort of nuisance. She wants to set up housekeeping with her friend." "The little wretch!" "Not exactly. But I did want that apartment myself, as I am fond of it. I think I'll take a roomer." "Mother!" Catherine stared at her. "She's been reading something a German wrote. What is his name? Freud. She's been thinking, too, I am afraid." Catherine was silent; she recognized her instinctive protest as a flourish of habit, of righteousness for someone else. After all---- "She needn't be so apologetic," said Mrs. Spencer deliberately. "If she doesn't need me, I shall be glad to find someone nearer my own age." Letty's deep voice announced her awakening. Mrs. Spencer decided to walk over to Riverside with Catherine and the children, as she could go on downtown from there by bus. After several minutes of agitated preparation, a frantic search for roller skates, they were in the hall, Letty rolling noisily along on her wooden "Go-Duck," her busy legs waving like plump antennæ. Catherine held the strap of Marian's skates firmly; Marian was all for skating right down the hall. Then, just as the elevator came, Catherine remembered that she hadn't paid Flora for the week. Flora's gold tooth flashed as Catherine handed her the money. "I certainly is obliged," she said. "My frien' and I, we're going on the Hudson River boat to-morrow, and I suspicions he's short of cash." "You'll be in early on Monday, Flora? Miss Kelly is coming, and she'll need you to show her about things." "Sakes, yes. You can go about your business, Mis' Hammond, with a light soul." Flora was delighted at this venture of Catherine's. Catherine thought, a little grimly, as she hurried after the family, that Flora was the only one in the house who was pleased. It's her dramatic sense, she speculated, waiting for the elevator. I wish I had more of it myself, and Charles, too. The sharp blue clarity of the air was like a sudden check rein, pulling Catherine's head up from doubtful thoughts. As they waited at Amsterdam Avenue for the car to rumble past, she glanced up the street; in the foreground the few blocks of sharp descent, and then the steady climb for miles, off to the distance where street and marginal buildings seemed as blue as the sky. It was like a mountain, with blue-gray shadows across the canyon of the street, and jagged cliffs of buildings merging into solid rock up the slope. She reached for the head of Letty's red duck. "You better walk across the street, Letty." "No! Ducky go!" and bumping over the cobblestones it went, propelled vigorously, while Spencer and Marian stumbled along on their skates. The walk through the half block of park behind the University buildings was smooth sailing. Catherine and her mother followed the children. "Wait for us at the gate!" warned Catherine.