tlythroughthefrontdoor.

    "Theresmyboy,"shewouldsay,andwhiskmetothekitforasnaandbreadandacupofOvaltine."Howwasyourdaytoday,Henry?"

    Iwouldmakeupowopleasantliesforherbe.

    "Didyoulearnanythingnew?"

    Iwouldreciteallthathadbeenrehearsedonthewayhome.Sheseemedinordinatelycuriousandpleased,butwouldleavemeatlasttothedreadfulhomework,whichIusuallymaofinishrightbeforesuppertime.Inthefewmomentsbeforemyfathercamehomefromwork,shewouldfixourmeal,mypanyattableside.Inthebackground,theradioplayedherfavoriteballads,andIlearhemalluponfirsthearingandcouldsingaloherecordswereinvariablyrepeated.Byactnorance,Imimickedtheballadeersvoicesperfectlyandcouldsingtoone,measureformeasure,phraseforphrase,exactlylikeBingCrosbyandFrankSinatra,RosemaryeyorJoStafford.Momtookmymusicalabilityasanaturalextensionofmygeneralwonderfulness,charm,andnativeintellect.Shelovedtohearme,oftenswitgofftheradiotobegmetosingitonemoretime.

    "BeadearboyandgiveusTheresaTrainOutforDreamlandagain."

    Whenmyfatherfirstheardmyact,hedidntrespondaskindly."Wheredidyoupickthatup?Onedayyoutcarryatune,nowyousinglikealark."

    "Idunno.MaybeIwasntlisteningbefore."

    "Yourekiddingme?ShehasthatracketondayandnightwithyourNatColeKingandallthatjazz,andyoutakemedanetime?Asifamotheroftwins...Whatdoyoumean,youwerentlistening?"

    "trating,Imean."

    "Youshouldbetratingonyourhomeworkandhelpingyourmotherwiththechores.&