Tobias stopped in front of the yard where the Wards lived, because he could not drive the cart into the narrow yard itself. The area was poorly maintained and the many stairs and doors, both in this yard and the yard on the other side, suggested overcrowding. There were two shared privies in the yard, but it was unclear whether the rather unpleasant smell of the area came from there, or whether it was from old bait on long lines and in crab pots that were drying in the yard, or just from general filthiness. And still there were barefooted children playing in the yard and apparently having a great time. And there was laundry drying as if the air was fresh as daisies. It had been a shock for Tobias when he had first visited. He had seen a good deal of rural poverty, but there was something even more dehumanizing about its urban sibling.

"One second," said Tobias, and he jumped down from the cart.