"Don't forget, Joe," Alice said at dinner. "Tonight's the party at Professor Long's."
"How can I forget with you reminding me?" Dr. MacNare said, winking at his son.
"And you, Paul," Alice said. "I don't want you leaving the house. You understand? You can watch TV, and I want you in bed by nine thirty."
"Ah, Mom!" Paul protested. "Nine thirty?" He suppressed a grin. He had a party of his own planned.
"And you can wipe the dishes for me. We have to be at Professor Long's by eight o'clock."
"I'll help you," Dr. MacNare said.
"No, you have to get ready. Besides don't you have to look up something for one of the faculty?"
"I'd forgotten," said Dr. MacNare. "Thanks for reminding me."
After dinner he went directly to the study. Adam was sitting on the floor playing with his wooden blocks. They were alphabet blocks, but he didn't know that yet. The summer project was going to be teaching him the alphabet. Already, though, he preferred placing them in straight rows rather than stacking them up.