A piano raised its black sail in a block of sun near the far wall; on the low coffee table lay a photograph album and a few 78s in their sleeves. Two geometric armchairs, fawn-colored, stood on a rug of ivory wool. There were thousands of old books in ceiling-high bookcases, and, above the mantel, a cubist painting in black and orange and white: a man’s body refracted through burning waters. At the edge of the rug lay a pair of blue Moroccan slippers.
