When Mother Used the Pacifier

Clara was in the midst of one of the worst days of her life: The washing machine broke down, the telephone kept ringing, her head ached, and the mail carrier brought a bill she had no money to pay.

Almost to the breaking point, she lifted her one-year-old into his highchair, leaned her head against the tray, and began to cry. Without a word, her son took his pacifier out of his mouth and stuck it in hers.