Dadshotmeaquicksidewaysglaoobusysizingupmymother,Mr.Martindidnotnoticethewordlessexge.Mymotherrattledonaboutallofmytalents,butnobodylistened.Inmeasurestooslowandfarapart,IpracticedmyChopin,sodisguisedthatevenoldMartindidnotdis-coverthemelody.

    "Mr.Day,Mrs.Day,Iagreetotakeonyourson.Myminimumrequire-ment,however,isfhtweeksoflessonsatatime,WednesdayafternoonsandSaturdays.Iteachthisboy."Theioned,inavoicebarelyaboveawhisper,hisfee.MyfatherlitanotherCamelandwalkedtowardthewindow.

    "Butforyourson"—headdressedmymothernow—"forHenry,abornmusiifIeverheardone,forhim,Iwillrequireonlyhalfthetuition,butyoumustittosixteenweeks.Fourmonths.Wewillknoego."

    Ipickedoutarudimentary"HappyBirthday."Myfatherfinishedhissmokeandtappedmeontheshoulder,indigweweretoleave.HewalkedovertoMomandgrabbedherlightlybythefleshypartofherarmabovetheelbow.

    "IllcallyouMonday,"hesaid,"atthree-thirty.Wellthinkitover."

    Mr.Martinbowedslightlyandlookedmestraightintheeye."Youhaveagift,youngman."

    Aswedrovehome,Iwatchedthecityrecedeinthemirroranddisap-pear.Momchatteredincessantly,dreamiure,planningourlives.Billy,handslockedonthewheel,tratedontheroadandsaidnothing.

    "IllbuysomelayihatswhatIlldo.Rememberwhenyouusedtosayyouwaurnourplacebatoarealfarm?Illstartabroodofchis,andwellselltheeggs,andthatwillpaythebill,surely.Andimagine,wellhavefresheggsourselveseverym,too.AndHenrytaketheschoolbustothestreetcar,a