SETH PROMPTED HANNAH when she hesitated, his eyes on the book as she read to him and Clancy. “ ‘Stove,’ ” Hannah repeated, “ ‘where the mother boiled the stew.’ ” “Is there a picture for that one?” Clancy asked, just as she’d done every few minutes for the whole story, leaning from her father’s lap to see the book in Hannah’s. “Not yet.” “Are you getting tired of reading, Hannah?” Seth asked, having heard the scratch in her voice. “A little.” “Why don’t we stop and do some more tomorrow?” “Don’t you have to work?” “Not in the evening. Can you read to us then?” Hannah nodded and shut the book. She would never have admitted it, but she was sleepy. When she thought about how long her teacher could read to the class, she was amazed. She had only read a few pages and felt worn out. “When is Mama coming back?” Clancy asked, the book having distracted her for only about half an hour. “I don’t know.” “I want her to come now.” “Why?”
