Earle Hyman reads from Chapter 81, part 1, “Esther Longtree and the Little Toy Salesman” of Miss MacIntosh, My Darling by Marguerite Young. Hyman grew up in Brooklyn and has had a successful stage career in New York for over 40 years. He has been nominated for numerous awards, including an Emmy, for his performance as Cliff Huxtable’s father on The Cosby Show.

A curiously successful toy salesman is introduced in this chapter. He makes his living by selling toys to people, some of whom have already lost their children. His clientele and miniature scale and features proves to be rather alluring to Esther Longtree. He feeds from a baby bottle because he is so small. He only has three teeth and no taste buds or tear ducts. Esther believes him to be someone she once knew, but this is impossible. He claims to be a displaced ship wreck survivor. Among his many abnormalities the circumstances around the wreck invite the most suspicion.

 © copyright Charles Ruas 2023