Leave it to children to remind you of the passing of time.
They have a way of growing that ticks off your years more accurately than a clock.
The last time I had seen her, she was little more than a baby.
"I'm Jonas Cord," I said. "Is your mother home?"
"Come in," she said in a small, clear voice.
I followed her into the living room. She turned to face me. "Sit down. Mummy's dressing. She said she wouldn't be long."
I sat down and she sat in a chair opposite me. She stared at me with wide, serious eyes but didn't speak.
I began to feel uncomfortable under her candid scrutiny and lit a cigarette.
Her eyes followed my hand as I searched for an ash tray for my match.
"It's over there," she said, pointing to a table on my right.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome," she said politely. Then she was silent again, her eyes watching my face.
I dragged on the cigarette and after a moment's silence, spoke to her.
"Do you remember me, Jo-Ann?"
Her eyes dropped and she was suddenly shy, her hands smoothing the hem of her dress across her knees in a typically feminine gesture.
"Yes." I smiled.
"The last time I saw you, you were just so big," I said, holding my hand out just about level with my knee.
"I know," she whispered, not looking at me. "You were standing on the steps waiting for us to come home."
I took the package out from under my arm.
"I brought you a present," I said.
"A doll."
She took the package from me and sat down on the floor to open it.
Her eyes were smiling now.
She lifted out the doll and looked at me.
"It's very pretty."
"I hoped you'd like it," I said.
"I do. Very much." Her eyes grew solemn again. "Thank you," she said.
A moment later, Monica came into the room.
Jo-Ann leaped to her feet and ran to her.
"Mummy!
Look what Mr. Cord brought me!"
"It was very thoughtful of you, Jonas," Monica said.
I struggled to my feet.
We stood looking at each other.
There was an almost regal quality of self-possession about her.
Her dark hair fell almost to her bare shoulders over a black cocktail dress.
Then the doorbell rang.
It was the baby sitter and Jo-Ann was so busy showing her the new doll, she didn't even have time to say good-by when we left.
Robair was standing at the car door when we came out.
"Robair!" Monica put out her hand. "It's nice to see you again."
"It's nice to see you again, Miss Monica," he said as he bowed over her hand.
I looked out at the cruddy Queens scenery as the car rolled back to Manhattan.
"What do you want to live out here for?" I asked.
She reached for a cigarette and waited while I held the match for her.
"Jo-Ann can play outside when the weather is good and I don't have to worry about her being hurt in the city streets.
And I can afford it. It's much more reasonable than the city."
"From what I hear, you're doing all right.
If you want to live in the suburbs, why don't you move up to Westchester?
It's nicer up there."
"It's still too expensive," she said.