Your mother--" She broke off as though she were afraid of showing emotion.
"What is it ?" said Jeremy in a voice that seemed new to them all--older, more resolute, strangely challenging for so small a boy.
"Your mother's very ill, Jeremy, dear.

You must be a very good boy, and help your sisters." "Mightn't I go for just a minute ?" "No, certainly not." They all went upstairs.

Then, in the schoolroom, Miss Jones said an amazing thing.

She said: "I must tell you all, children, that you've got a new little sister." "A new sister!" screamed Mary.
Helen said: "Oh, Miss Jones!" Jeremy said: "What did she come for just now, when Mother is ill ?" "God wanted her to come, dear," said Miss Jones.

"You must all be very kind to her, and do all you can--" She was interrupted by a torrent of questions from the two girls.