What are the possibilities of my strength? That is a thought I have never
had before. What if some morning as the old woman stood at the head of
the staircase she were suddenly to feel a weight thrusting against the back
of her legs? What if she were to lunge forward, grasping at the air, striking
her thin skull against the edge of a stair? What would become of me if she
were found unmoving at the bottom of the stairway?
Someone else would love me, as she has loved me. I’m certain of that.
People have a great interest in love. They see it everywhere; probably even
in me.

Part One