"A great honor," said my mother, stroking my hair. As if to comfort me.
"It's a government project, and very secret. Can you understand that? Your mother and I will be living in very cramped quarters, and leading greatly restricted lives. There won't be any playgrounds, or children your own age, or anything."
"And besides," said my mother (was that a tear on her face?) "you'll have Aunt Hulda, and Faw-Faw of course."
"You'll be all right," said my father, as if he really knew.
Was I happy? Was I sad? Faw-Faw, do you remember? What did I say to you that night, in the aloneness of my room? Did I cry?
On the lap. Head against the chest. Press the button. Drowsy listening; soothing, smoothing, story-telling voice....
"Now the Queen, having eaten Snow-White's heart, as she supposed, felt quite sure that now she was the first and fairest, and so she came to her mirror and said...."
Information, registration, consideration ... MEMORY:
"Say that again!"