Marga Minco’s short story ‘The Address’ is divided into pre-war and post-war times. Actually, the story begins with the narrator visiting 46, Marconi Street to meet Mrs Dorling. She comes back to her town after the war. Her mother is dead. She goes there in search of her mother’s belongings. Mrs Dorling had taken them away to keep them safe and intact.

However, the narrator takes us back to the first half of the war. Normal life is disturbed. The war affects the life of the narrator and her mother. She notices the presence of Mrs Dorling in her house only during this time. Every time Mrs Dorling leaves her house, she takes away one article or the other. She takes away all the silver cutlery and wares in one go. Then comes the turn of antique plates and vases. The narrator’s mother has faith in Mrs Dorling. She is convinced that all her articles will be safe with her during the war. The narrator is not convinced. She doesn’t have faith in Mrs Dorling.

The post-war scene brings normalcy again. People get bread and bed and they can sleep without fear. But the narrator doesn’t feel at peace. She goes to Mrs Dorling in search of her mother’s belongings. During her first visit to 46, Marconi Street, the narrator receives a very cold and indifferent reception. Mrs Dorling even refuses to recognise her. Her words are self-revealing. Perhaps she never expects Mrs S or her daughter to visit her house alive again after the war.