Even when real memory moves in on Miss McCarthy and begins to take over, she continues to fret about it, but to much better effect.

Reading Miss McCarthy can, in fact, be not unlike walking in that dry wind of hers.

So Miss McCarthy asked another neighbor to go with her into her own apartment for support.

But, as always, a part of Miss McCarthy is standing on the sidelines, smiling wickedly.

Miss McCarthy's fist went up as she shouted the last three words, carried away by her own text.

The comrades, Miss McCarthy recalled, were not amused.

Although it was given mixed reviews, Miss McCarthy's performance received glowing notices.

"Peter is thrilled about all this," Miss McCarthy said.

"The earthquake in 1989 reinforced our program," Miss McCarthy said.

They were all promoted by Miss McCarthy in 1946, and life had taken many of them far away from this old schoolhouse.