“Ceramic ware is glazed before entering a kiln to bake,” explained chemist Jean Dumond. “These glazes sometimes contain lead to give products an attractive shine. If ceramics are baked long enough at hot enough temperatures, they may still be safe, but if not the lead can leach into food and cause lead poisoning.”
Grace was stunned. “Lead poisoning?”
Jean nodded. “I fear that the source of your mother’s illness is this teapot. But what of you and your father? Why are you not sick?”
“No one drinks tea from this pot besides Mama. It was a gift that she holds dear and keeps to herself.”
Observing the crushed black leaves in a matching canister, Jean could not help but conjecture that the tea was also contaminated.
“Mon Dieu. I have been making that tea for Mama for weeks. This is all my
