51�Թ�

“Your predictions sometimes come to pass, but I don’t believe that one will. I’m sure I wish it would, for if I can’t be an artist myself, I should like to be able to help those who are,” said Amy, smiling, as if the part of Lady Bountiful would suit her better than that of a poor drawing teacher.

But count on it: The District’s days of playing Lady Bountiful, ostentatiously spending other people’s money on benevolent causes, are numbered.

That she apparently contains multitudes is an especially useful trait in joining the joyful Lady Bountiful of the opening scenes with the mad misanthrope of the later ones.

That means Ljuba is someone Lorraine can patronize as Lady Bountiful.

Just when you think Marnie’s grating, un-self-aware Lady Bountiful act couldn’t get more patronizing, “The Meddler” morphs into something tender, even poignant.