"Yes, I've seen a picture of it."
"The monks go out with their dogs in the winter to see if they can come across anybody perishing in the snow. They are love-missionaries. I think this house is a hospice just now. Your mummy's found a poor perishing soul, and she's brought it home to get it ready for heaven."
"Is father going to die?"
"Yes; I'm afraid he's not long for this world—the doctor says about a week; so you and I have got to do all we can to help mummy."
"What can I do?"
"A lot. Do what mummy does; show all the love you can."
It was not until Ralph had finished his breakfast that he asked: "And how are the children?"
"There's only one left down here."
"Which one?"
"The boy."