"Mm, but watching doesn't always help. Everyone learns differently. D'you think if you asked, he'd let you try doing something?" She cast her eyes subtly toward the pie crust in progress.

"Okay, that looks real good. Now, let's add in the rest. You gotta go slow so it doesn't get lumpy. The trick is working all the sugar in evenly." She paused, then addressed his question as she added sugar and spices to the fruit so it could soak in. "As for how it helps? Honey, you say you were smart there, but you must still remember some of it. It's not like the whole ball of wax just disappeared because you're back to brass tacks."