“Yes, the Geezenstacks. He sits and stares at the doll house. I’ve heard him ask the kid questions about them, and he was serious. I think he’s got some delusion or something about them. Or centering on them.”
“But, Dick, that’s—awful.”
“Look, Edie, Aubrey isn’t as interested in them as she used to be, and—Is there anything she wants very badly?”
“Dancing lessons. But she’s already studying violin and I don’t think we can let her—”
“Do you think if you promised her dancing lessons if she gave up those dolls, she’d be willing? I think we’ve got to get them out of the apartment. And I don’t want to hurt Aubrey, so—”
“Well—but what would we tell Aubrey?”
“Tell her I know a poor family with children who haven’t any dolls at all. And—I think she’ll agree, if you make it strong enough.”
“But, Dick, what will we tell Sam? He’ll know better than that.”
“Tell Sam, when Aubrey isn’t around, that you think she’s getting too old for dolls, and that—tell him she’s taking an unhealthy interest in them, and that the doctor advises— That sort of stuff.”
Aubrey wasn’t enthusiastic. She was not as engrossed in the Geezenstacks as she’d been when they were newer, but couldn’t she have both the dolls and the dancing lessons?