The idea was inviting. For a second, Anne allowed herself to entertain a pleasant vision of a future where she made her own money, enough to help Alice and her child live independently too, somewhere in the big city. She looked all smart like she imagined women who made their own money in the city did.

Then she remembered that her family needed her. She could not leave.

"I suppose..." she muttered. "You don't seem-," she flustered. "Sorry," she muttered. "Please, read yer paper. I won't distract ye no more, Mr. Appleton."