My daughter rang and told me I sounded tired before asking anything else. I said all right, because there was no emergency to report. She kept asking, which vexed me. I had already given her the meals and how her mother slept, and she said she was asking about me. What more was there to say? Afterwards I was not pleased with the way I answered her. She is busy at the hospital and still took the time. I called back to ask about her journey home. We spoke for a few minutes about the rain. That was easier. My wife was listening to the radio and had eaten most of her supper.

Sat outside shelling gungo while the helper was with my wife. Hands were stiff at first, particularly the two middle fingers, but the pods opened more easily after a while and I stayed longer than planned. The sun reached the edge of the chair and warmed one knee through the trousers. On standing I had to take my time before carrying the bowl inside. Nothing new, only the sitting too low. Ate breakfast properly after, not the piece of bread carried from room to room. There was a good appetite. I have put the higher chair outside for tomorrow, though everybody prefers to move it back.

The mason asked how wide I wanted the repaired step and I told him the same as before, only properly done. Then I watched the helper come through carrying a basin and saw that she had to turn sideways around the chair by the door. The step alone is not the whole matter. I measured the passage and wrote the figures in the book so I can show him rather than repeat myself on the phone. He says he remembers. People remember until it is time to bring the materials. The chair can move inside during the work, but my wife likes to see out from that place. That part must stay possible.