18
Her mother asked vaguely whether she was going to school that day, but otherwise did not seem interested in the fact that she was at home. In fact, she was in better spirits today, getting dressed and coming downstairs for breakfast when Elisabeth called up the stairs.
“You don’t usually eat breakfast, Beth,” her mother said, picking up a knife to butter her toast.
“Neither do you, Mum,” Elisabeth countered.
“I’m never hungry,” her mother replied. She bit into the toast.
“I’m glad you’re eating breakfast today,” Elisabeth said. “I’m busy with a project for—for school. So I’m going to be up in the attic.”
“The attic! Why on earth?” Her mother looked revolted. “What could you possibly need in the attic?”
“Old stuff. This is a history paper.”
“Oh. Well. There’s just old Burnham
