“And you, poppet,” she said to Anechka, “do you want me to make you something pretty?”
“What thing?” Anechka asked.
“I’ll think of something. I don’t skimp when it comes to fashion. I don’t usually make things for children but I will for you. A special children’s design. I’ve got various scraps around the place. I can put some together for you. It would be a pleasure.”
Tears welled in her eyes.
Lyubochka asked quietly and delicately.
“And how much do I owe you?” Since the move we’d really only had money for bread.
“I lined the skirt,” Laevskaya explained. “That material’s mine. The threads are mine as well. And they’re silk. I put these little tucks here in the sleeve. We hadn’t agreed on those, Lyubochka. And I added a neat little collar. The lace is mine. Anyway, I don’t want any e
