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came often to seek Anna’s advice about this or that. Finally Anna said, “But my dear Miss Kling, why are you asking me about things that you can very well decide without my help? You’re no longer yourself. I can assure you that you needn’t be nervous, there’s no cause for alarm.”
    “Miss Aemelin, I don’t understand.”
    “The break-in, of course,” said Anna impatiently. “Our burglar.”
    Katri started to laugh. Katri’s laugh had nothing in common with her terrifying smile. Her whole face opened in a peal of unalloyed hilarity – with very pretty teeth.
    Anna gazed at her attentively and said, “I’ve never seen you laugh. Do you not often laugh?”
    “No, not often.”
    “And what is it that’s so amusing? Our burglary?”
    Katri nodded.
    “Well, amusing and amusing. All the same, you’re no longer yourself, whatever the reason. You were nicer in the beginning.”
    At three o’clock, the phone rang, and Katri answered.
    “Oh, it’s you,” said the storekeeper. “Miss Aemelin doesn’t answer her own phone any more? Tell her the police caught them. They broke into another house. How are the guard duties going?”
    Katri said, “Set aside two bottles of milk and some yeast and put it on the bill.”
    “Are you baking now, too? Sounds like the rabbit house is becoming a real establishment.”
    “Yes, that’s all. I’ll call if there’s anything else.” Katri hung up the receiver and started back to the kitchen.
    “But why did the storekeeper call?” Anna asked behind her. “He’s never called before.”
    “I ordered some yeast. You’ve got flour.” Katri stopped in the half-open door, looking straight at Anna. Finally she said, quickly, “They caught them.”
    “What did you say?”
    “The burglars. The danger is past.”
    “Well, that’s good news,” Anna said. “It surprises me, I didn’t think that constable seemed terribly competent. By the way, before I forget, would you ask Mats to look at the stove in your room? It doesn’t draw, it never has. If this weather continues, we’ll have you down with a cold or something,” she added dismissively and went back to her book.
    * * *
     
    Towards evening, Katri brought in wood to light a fire in the parlour. “It’s very wet,” she said. “There ought to be a roof over the woodpile. A woodshed.”
    “Can’t be done. Papa wouldn’t have a woodshed.”
    “But we’re going to get a lot of rain.”
    “My dear Miss Kling,” said Anna, “we’ve always had the firewood by the side of the house, and a shed would destroy the building’s lines.”
    Katri smiled her grim smile and said, “Well, this house isn’t all that beautiful. Although I’ve seen even worse from the period.”
    When the wood was finally burning, Anna sat down in front of the stove and said, “It’s so nice having a fire.” And then, casually, “And so nice that you seem to be getting back to normal.”
    The next day, Anna declared that she wanted to have a little party for the three of them. Katri was not to eat in the kitchen today. They’d use the silver and have wine and candles.
    Anna closely supervised the setting of the table and made certain changes to small detailed arrangements that a person of Katri’s generation and background would not have been taught as a matter of course. Mats arrived at the appointed hour, amiable and a little self-conscious. They took their places at the table. Anna had dressed for dinner. The role of hostess had never presented her with any difficulty, but today her social instincts and sensitivity were not what they should have been. After a few unconnected observations that did not lead to conversation, she allowed the meal to proceed without appearing to notice the silence of her guests. Every time Katri stood up to serve, Anna lifted her eyes quickly and then looked away. The table was lovely beneath the crystal chandelier, with all its lamps burning. Even the sconces were lit. The dessert came