"This is where we're staying. The telephonenumber is for our suite. Let me know if and when we can go to the needlepoint shop."

"I think they open at ten in the morning," Jane said. "The owner will probably be in by at least nine forty-five. I'll call and tell her we'd like to bring you. If you don't mind, I'll use your connection with Sylvia Sidney to impress her."

"I wouldn't mind at all. I'm so glad to have met you girls."

When they were in Jane's car, Shelley said, "I haven't been referred to as a 'girl' in ages. What a sweet woman Ms. Bunting is."

When Jane called Martha the next morning at eight-thirty, she was glad the proprietor was already at work. Jane's mention of the extra student went over well. Martha had even heard of Gloria Bunting. She'd seen her in Connecticut in the out-of-town first performance of a play that was going to New York a month later. "She played a sort of Mrs. Danvers — like role. She was wonderfully wicked."

When Jane told Martha that Ms. Bunting had been a friend of Sylvia Sidney, the woman nearly swooned. "I'd be delighted to add her. Bring her along as soon as you like. She won't even have to pay for the lessons, only the materials. I'm so thrilled about this. I can't wait to meet her in person."

Jane called Shelley first. "We're all set. I'll call

Ms. Bunting and tell her to be ready to be picked up at a quarter to ten. I'll drive. We also need to figure out where to get her one of these jewelry things for her floss."

"I'm glad you're driving. I need to call the caterers for tonight and tell them there will be four more people. Two doing scenery, another doing props, and one responsible for costumes."