Chapter 73

George shivered and went into the cottage. “Mama?”

“In the kitchen, Georgie.”

He walked in and watched as she rolled out the dough for cookies. She was finally able to make something without setting the kitchen on fire.

“We have to have a talk,” he said.

She studied his face and nodded. “Noelle, take Charlie out to see if La Gata has had her kittens yet.”

“Yes, Mama.” She took Charlie’s hand and went out the kitchen door.

“All right, George. What is it?”

“We can’t stay here, Mama. Goodrich just left, and he says the landlord wants the rent every week now, and he’s raised it again.”

Mama turned pale, and he was glad he’d kept Goodrich’s suggestion about George being niceto him to himself.

“I know we talked about this, and I know you wanted to have the baby here, but we have to leave. He threatened to evict us.”

She sank down onto a kitchen chair. “Oh dear God. You’re right. We’ll have to leave. But where will we go?”