His mother understood no more of his trouble than that his brother had not returned; she looked from his face back to the fire, that now died slowly on the hearth.

Rotha was quicker to catch the significance of Willy's nervous expression and fitful words.

To her the situation now appeared hardly less than tragic.

With the old father lying dead in the loft above, what would come to this household if the one strong hand in it was removed?
Then she thought of her own father.

What would become of him?
Where was he this night?
The sense of impending disaster gave strength to her, however.