reettotown.YoucoulddrivehimtothestreetcarSaturdays?"

    "Icoulddochorestoearnthefare."

    "Yousee,Billy,howmuchhewantstolearn?Hehasagift,thatMr.Martinsaid.Andhessorefined.Didyoueverseesuchathinginyourlifeasthatpiashieveryday."

    Myfatherrolleddownhiswindowaboutaninchtoletinaroaroffreshair.

    "DidyouhearhimplayHappyBirthdaytoYou,likehesbeenatitforever?Itswhathewants;itswhatIwant.Sweetheart."

    "Whenwouldhepractice,Ruth?EvenIknowyouhavetoplayeveryday,andImightbeabletoaffordpianolessons,butIcertainlytaffordapianointhehouse."

    "Theresapianoatschool,"Isaid."Nobodyusesit.ImsureifIasked,theydletmestayafter...."

    "Whataboutyourhomeworkandthosechoresyousaidyouwoulddo?Idontwanttoseeyradesslipping."

    "imesniy-one.SeparateisspelledS-E-P-A-R-A-T-E.Oppenheimergaveusthebomb,whichtookcareoftheJaps.TheHolyTrin-ityistheFather,Son,andtheHolyGhost,anditisaholymysterythatnoonefigureout."

    "Allright,Einstein.Youtryit,butfhtweeks.Justtobesure.Andyourmotherwillhavetoraisetheeggmoney,andyouhavetohelpcareforthechis.Theyteachyouthatinthatschoolofyours?"

    Ruthstudiedhisface,ararelookofloveandwonderinhergaze.Bothgrinnedaprivate,sheepishhalf-smile,themeaningofwhicheludedme.Sit-tiweenthem,Ibaskedinthewarmthofthemoment,laganyguiltoverthefactthatIwasnottheirchild.Wedroveon,thehappiestofhappylittlefamilies.

    Aswecrossedahighbridgeovertherivernotfarfromourhou