Chapter 77

“Good. And the little ones?”

“They’ll come with us.” As if he’d leave them behind for any length of time.

“Very good. I’ll mix up a tincture I’ve had some success with and send it to you. It might help.” He shrugged. “It couldn’t hurt.”

“Thank you, Dr. Choate.” George paid him and saw him out of the apartment.

* * * *

It took George a while, but he found a small house in Queens and set about renting it for a month. As for his plan to hire a housekeeper, Mrs. Hall wouldn’t hear of it.

“I’m coming with you,” she said, with a look that dared him to object.

“But who’ll take care of your children?”

“Mary Margaret does well enough. And Bart will be home in the evening. So are we agreed?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Good.” She stroked his cheek. “I’ll make sure Mary Margaret has everything she needs and pack a carpetbag.”