son,weenblasandahalf-dozenchildrenscoatsfromtheSalvationArmystore,aesmallmeals,subsistingmainlyoeasbrewedfrombarkandtwigs.InthedulllightofJanuaryandFebruary,weoftendidnotstiratall,butsataloneorinclumpsoftwoorthree,drippiorstonecold,waitingforthesunandtheresumptionofourlives.Chavisrewstrongerbyandby,ahewildonionsandfirstdaffodilsappeared,shecouldtakeafewstepswithbragassistance.Eachday,Speckpushedheronepainfulpaceforward.Whenshewaswellenoughforustomove,wefledthatmiserabledungheapofmemories.Despitetherisks,wefoundamoresuitablehiddenhomenearwater,amileorsonorthofthenewhouses.Onwindynights,thenoisesfromthefamiliescarriedasfarasourne,andwhilenotassecluded,itaffordedusadequateprote.Asweduginthatfirstday,restlessnesssweptoverme.Smaolachsatdownbesidemeanddrapedanarmayshoulders.Thesunwasfallingfromthesky.

    "Nímarasíltearabítear,"hesaid.

    "Smaolach,ifIlivetobeathousandyears,Illneveruandyouroldlanguage.SpeakEnglishtome."

    "Areyouthinkingofourfriends,lateandlameheyrebetteroffwheretheyareandnotsufferingthiseternalwaiting.Oristheresomethingelseonyourmind,littletreasure?"

    "Haveyoueverbeeninlove,Smaolach?"

    "Ondonlyohankgoodness.Wewereclose,likeeverymotherandson."

    "Luchógsaidmymotherandfatheraregone."

    "Idontremembermuchofher.Thesmellofwool,maybe,andaharshsoap.Mintonthebreath.AhugebosomuponwhichIlaidmy...No,thatsnht.Shewasarakeofawoman,allskinandbones.Idontrecall."

    "Ev