The Moffats

Jane Moffat admires her mother’s cooking skills as she peels apples in the kitchen. Her older sister, Sylvie, is busy rehearsing for her part in a play, so Jane takes her doll, Hildegarde, outside and looks for her brothers, Rufus and Joey. Jane thinks about how much she loves living in the yellow house, the only house that has a view to both ends of their curved street. As Jane looks at her home through her legs, enjoying the upside-down version, she’s interrupted by Mr. Baxter, a local man who does odd jobs for people.

Jane is horrified when Mr. Baxter nails a “For Sale” sign to her home. Joey and Rufus cycle up to the house and join Mrs. Moffat and Jane in the front yard. Mr. Baxter confirms that the homeowner, Dr. Witty, wants to sell the house, which the Moffats have rented for years. Mrs. Moffat quickly leaves to talk to Dr. Witty, while Jane sits and stares at the sign in disbelief. She worries about the house but reminds herself that times are hard and hopes that no one will buy it. When Mrs. Moffat returns, she confirms that Dr. Witty is selling the house and laments that she can’t buy it herself.