Downstairs, the familiar sounds of the boarding house waking up: Mrs. Henderson’s radio tuned to the weather report, the clatter of a percolator in the shared kitchen, the heavy tread of Mr. Briggs heading out for the early shift.

Your dress, the good blue one with the little white collar, was already laid out on the chair. It was your third day at the new job. Sterling’s Department Store. Salesgirl, notions counter.