Mrs. P. walked into my office as if she owned it, and sat easily on her chair. She said she would come straight to the point with me. She had just come to Railton from Crimptown so that she could live with her in-laws, but it had not been a successful arrangement. She had found herself somewhere else to live, with friends, but had no cot and was rather short of clothes for Sally. So she wondered if I could help her get those things because then she would be on her feet. Mrs. P.'s manner was strange; she sat with Sally on her knee but not looking at her. And she did not look straight at me although stressing that she only wanted straightforward help. Her request did not fit in with her appearance, and I was curious to know why she had come.