Melchisedec

The rats in the attic walls are real and numerous. A large, important-looking one begins appearing regularly, sniffing around the room with the air of an animal who considers it partly his. Sara watches him for several days, then names him Melchisedec and begins leaving crumbs on the floor. Within a week he is sitting up and looking at her. She tells him things. He is the first creature in the attic who is reliably available.

Lottie, who is seven and doesn't understand the change in Sara's circumstances, makes her way up to the attic one afternoon and asks directly: are you very poor now? Are you as poor as a beggar? Sara tells her that beggars have nowhere to live and she has a place to live in. She manages Lottie's distress by managing her questions, answering only what is necessary and redirecting when possible. Lottie is satisfied because she trusts Sara completely.

Ermengarde brings a package of food hidden in her school stocking — carefully, under real risk of punishment — and sits with Sara in the attic. Sara shows her the view from the skylight and tells her about Melchisedec. Ermengarde, who has never had to work hard at imagining things, is astonished by what Sara has made of the place. The attic is bare, cold, and full of rats. It is also, Sara demonstrates, a room with a good view and company she has chosen.