17
Tools of the Trade
Clare raised her eyebrows when Peter showed up at home without shoes and his feet blue from the cold.
“I gave them to a refugee,” he told her, figuring this actually had the benefit of being the truth. But he was relieved when Clare did not pursue the story.
Without any further comment, she helped him dig through an oak blanket chest containing various discarded clothing items.
“Here, maybe these might work.” Clare held up a pair that had belonged to Lorenz. “Effie has been much more cheerful in the last weeks. Even your father noticed.”
Peter was not convinced. When he had gone to his sister’s room to check on her the last time he had been at home, she had immediately pushed all her papers out of sight and glared at him apprehensively, her arms folded over her
