"Hello, is anyone home?"

Evelyn peered around the front door and then stepped inside.

"Nana!" shouted Georgie, "you're back!"

Her grandchildren left the dining room where they had been eating breakfast and surrounded her in the entry way. Evelyn sorted herself out from the hugs and kisses of the three excited children to greet her son in law.

"Good morning Michael."

"Evelyn," he said returning the greeting. "It's wonderful to see you. When did you get back?"

"The day before yesterday. I called the house. Didn't Annabel tell you?"

"No," said Michael

"I saved it for a surprise," said Annabel. "Nana said she was coming this morning."

"Well, it was definitely a surprise," said Michael. "A good surprise," he added. "Come in and sit down. Have you had breakfast? Would you like some tea or coffee?"

Michael was different thought Evelyn, more relaxed and happy. Yes, that was the difference Michael was happy. She looked around the house and noticed everything seemed brighter. There was new paint in the entryway and all the furniture looked like it had been pulled out and cleaned underneath. She cast a surreptitious glance into the library and noted that Kate's sewing basket was no longer in sight. Whatever had happened the change was good.

"I can't stay," said Evelyn, "But I'll be back. I came to take Annabel to her piano lesson. Are you ready to go?" she asked her granddaughter.

"Almost, I have to go upstairs first and get my things," said Annabel putting action to words.

"Piano lessons," said Michael. "I forgot all about them. She hasn't said a word over the winter but she seems as keen as ever."

"I hope she likes them," said Evelyn. "I'll make arrangements for the teacher to look at your piano. Is there a day that's best?"

"Pretty much any day," said Michael. "Ellen's here when I'm not and I'll be spending more time at home in a couple weeks. I'm turning the attic into a studio. I'm going to start painting again."

"Michael, that's wonderful news! I'm so glad," said Evelyn.

"Yes, it feels good," said Michael. "Things are going to be tight for a while. That's why I'm redoing the attic rather than renting a studio like I used to, but I will draw shoes for catalogs if it means not having to work in a bank again."

"I'm ready," Annabel sang out as she came down the stairs. She was holding a pencil and a copybook. "Do I have to bring anything else?" she asked her grandmother.

"No, just a pencil and something to write in," said Evelyn. "The teacher said that you will have to buy some staff paper and maybe a book, but we'll do that at the store. Don't worry Michael I'll take care of everything."

"All right, but let me know if you need money. You're being more than generous paying for the lessons."

"I will. We need to go Annabel. We don't want to be late."

Michael wasn't home when Annabel returned from her lesson because he had to run an errand for Ellen. He returned to find Evelyn visiting with Jane in the library.

"How did the lesson go?" He asked.

"Very well I think," said Evelyn.

"She's already practiced," said Jane, "And told us how terrible the piano sounds."

"Yes, the teacher is going to try and come some day this week to look at it. He's not sure yet about his schedule, but I told him that Ellen would be here most of the time. I really would like the boys to meet him. You too Jane. I think you would like him."

"Evelyn!" said Jane crossly. "Are you trying to match make? You know how much I hate that."

"No Jane," said Evelyn. "I think you should take piano lessons. It would be good for you to have a hobby to fill all your spare time. Of course I'm trying to match make. He's practically perfect—poor, penniless and good looking. What could be more romantic."

"Well then, you should pursue him yourself," said Jane, her cheeks very red. She was in fact very put out because she really did hate it when people tried to play matchmaker and Evelyn knew it.

But Evelyn didn't apologize. Instead she just smiled. "You know if I was thirty years younger," she said, "I just might. Because he's very nice and I think it would be fun to have someone to do things with like taking a walk or going to a museum or sharing a book." Her voice trailed off as if she had just thought of something else. "Sometimes you have to take a few chances in life," she finished.

"I can take my own chances," said Jane. "I don't need someone else telling me when I should."

"I'm not talking about you," said Evelyn.

"I'm confused," said Michael.

Evelyn wasn't looking at either of them. Her mind was miles away. "Sometimes," she said slowly, "You're given a chance at something wonderful and you have to be brave enough to take the risk."

"Are we still talking about the practically perfect, penniless piano teacher?" asked Michael.

"No," said Evelyn, "Someone else." She pulled herself back to the present. "I'm sorry Jane. I didn't mean to upset you. I know how much you hate people mucking about in your private life."

"It's all right," said Jane. "But please don't do it again."

"I won't," said Evelyn giving her a quick hug. "Michael, the children want to come over and see the new house tomorrow. I thought you could all come over for lunch if that's all right. You too Jane."

"Yes, that would be nice," said Michael. "We'll see you then." He showed her to the door and returned to the library. He looked at his sister curiously. She still seemed upset.

"So…"

"So what?" asked Jane.

"Why didn't you tell her you were seeing someone."

Jane's face flushed a deeper shade of red and her eyes teared up.

"Because it's none of her business and because I don't...well… I don't know if I am seeing someone. Let's not talk about it Michael."

Michael knew his sister well enough not to push the subject. He wasn't at all sure where things stood between her and Jack, but he wasn't surprised that there had been a snag of some sort. The bigger surprise was that Jack had gotten as far with Jane as he had. She had a high wall of resistance that had stopped several men who had found her attractive. Jack had not so much breached her defenses as flanked them. Maybe because of their differences in background, or because Mary Poppins had introduced them, Jane had let him into her life. She hadn't seen him as a potential suitor until he was.

He decided to change the subject. "I think Evelyn has met someone."

"What?"

"That remark she made about taking chances. She wasn't talking about the practically perfect, penniless piano teacher. I think she met someone she likes. I wonder who it is."

"It must be someone she met when she was abroad," said Jane wiping her eyes. "She's only been home a couple of days."

"It would be nice for her," said Michael. "To have someone to do things with and talk to. I wonder if I'll have to meet him and ask his intentions. Make sure he's not a fortune hunter or taking advantage of her."

He was intrigued with the idea. How did elderly people court? It didn't occur to him that though Evelyn was older she didn't consider herself elderly or that she might want the same things in a relationship that he would. It was probably good for his peace of mind that he didn't picture much more than quiet walks in the park and genteel cups of tea.